Anglesey

Anglesey is an island that lies off the north western corner of North Wales and is separated from the mainland by a narrow strip of water called the Menai Straits.

Anglesey has its own charm that is quite different from the mountains of nearby Snowdonia and is largely flat in comparison.

The island is a popular getaway for those seeking the less busy retreats of North Wales and offers many small villages and towns that serve as the ideal location for a holiday or short break.

There are a number of popular towns on Anglesey including Beaumaris and Menai Bridge in the east, Amlwch and Benllech in the north, Llangefni in the centre, Rhosneigr and Aberffraw on the south coast, and Holyhead and Trearddur Bay on Holy Island.

Most visitors cross onto Anglesey on the Britannia Bridge which joins the main A55 dual carriageway to the mainland however a glance northwards reveals the wonder that is Menai Bridge which was built by Thomas Telford as the first major crossing linking Anglesey to the mainland.

Beside the famous bridge is the small town of the same name which with the construction of the Britannia Bridge saw a huge reduction in traffic. Menai Bridge is still a popular town however and the third largest on the island.

The town of Beaumaris is home to Anglesey's only castle and faces east towards the mountains of Snowdonia and the town of Llandudno.

Beaumaris Castle was the final castle built by King Edward I in North Wales and was unfortunately never completed. However, despite this fact it still stands as a brilliant example of castle building and one of the finest examples of its type in the world.

On the northern coast of Anglesey are the villages of Amlwch and Benllech which have wonderful beaches. These villages are away from the main beaten path that most take across the island and as a result are ideal for a restful getaway from the hustle of daily life.

Wylfa Nuclear Power Station is located close to Amlwch and has a free visitor centre offering guided tours of the facility.

On Anglesey's southern coast are the villages of Rhosneigr and Aberffraw which offer wonderful beaches and great water sports facilities.

Most enthusiasts journey to Rhosneigr which has two wonderful beaches offering a wide variety of acitivies from sailing and fishing to surfing and scuba diving.

At Anglesey's western point is Holy Island and home to Holyhead which is Britain's major seaport to Dublin and Ireland.

Holyhead has a large breakwater which revolutionised the port and turned it into an ideal location for ferries to Ireland. Close to the town is Holyhead Mountain which is home to vast colonies of birds which gather close to South Stack at its western tip.

Within two miles of Holyhead is Trearddur Bay which faces south with views towards the Llyn Peninsula. As with most of Anglesey Trearddur Bay has a wonderful beach and is again a popular location for water sports.