This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. Precipitous views of South and North Stack islands, History and wildlife of Breakwater Country Park. Some walking on clifftops. Why should you visit Holy Island on the west coast of Anglesey? Excursions on Holy Island. Use the latest copy of Lonely Planet Wales / Lonely Planet Great Britain.Flights (international and domestic): I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the search by month tool to find the cheapest dates. Area: Holy Island, Anglesey, North Wales Date of walk: 21st September 2021 Walkers: Andrew and Gilly Distance: 5.6 miles Ascent: 1,300 feet Weather: Weak sun and mostly grey skies Holy Island, or Holyhead Island, is situated on the western side of the larger Isle of Anglesey and is home to the highest sea cliffs in North Wales Begin at the Rhoscolyn Beach car park close to Borthwen Beach, a broad sandy cove with a wonderful view south back to the peaks of Snowdonia. Youll find plenty of travel inspo in this blog in the form of solo travel tips, budget travel guides, food blogs and nomad & blogging resources. Anglesey Walks This beautiful island off the north-west coast of Wales is a wonderful place for walkers. Theres Welsh and world cuisine with a handful of veggie and vegan options.Parking at Trearddur Bay: Park at the village car park on Ln St Ffraid (LL65 2YR); from Easter until the end of October, theres a charge of 3 for 4 hours. It opens out to the Irish Sea. Enjoy! It is raining a bit less than in autumn, however, you need to still expect wet weather. However, there are no extreme temperatures on the island and you can enjoy all four seasons. Instead, you pass several small Anglesey bays and coves, passing Hen Borth and nearby St Rhwydrus Church, before reaching your destination, the shingle bank of Cemlyn Bay. It makes for an astonishing contrast with the surrounding north Anglesey landscape, a patchwork of green fields stretching the short distance to the sea. Some of the best are Lligwy Beach, Traeth Benllech, Traeth Crigyll, Porth Tyn Tywyn or Traeth Mawr. Moreover, there is also evidence of the ice age in Red Wharf Bay. If you have an admission ticket for the event you can camp at the Anglesey Circuit. For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com. The long amble from the Newborough beach to Llanddwyn Island is, for me, the ultimate Anglesey beach walk. Although relatively short in length this walk combines a superb section of coastal walking and some modest but rough mountain terrain near to Holyhead on Anglesey. Ynys Llanddwyn - over some of the best sands in Anglesey, starting from the car park at SH415649, and is around 2.3 km (1.4 mi) long. This superb Anglesey coastal walk takes you around the north-west corner of the island, bookended by two of the best Anglesey beaches. Croesawir galwadau yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg a mae'r dudalen yma a'r . This metavolcanic rock is one of the prettiest rocks that you can find on the island. All romantics will need to walk to Ynys Llanddwyn island, which is one of the most beautiful locations in North Wales, and . Its the only site that compares UK coaches and buses. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Last time I walked this stretch the air was the clearest Ive ever seen I could clearly see the Isle of Man and the hills of southern Scotland in the distance. The highest hills on the island include among others Holyhead Mountain at 220 meters (720 ft) or Mynydd Bodafon at 178 meters (584 ft). Church Bay Porth Swtan in Welsh is exquisite, a small cliff-backed bay with a broad sweep of sand and rockpools galore for kids. Magical Anglesey the Biggest Island in Wales, I'm David, a Welsh photographer, writer, and historian with 30+ years of experience exploring Europe's breathtaking landscapes, hidden gems, and iconic sights. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The key attractions here include willow tunnel, giant love heart walk in the meadow, pathways through the woods etc. The path continues the short distance to Porth Saint, an attractive pebble beach with cliffs of several hues including white and pink. It would be a mistake to descend in the obvious direction of South Stack, clearly visible from the summit. Holy Island Walk The Range Plas Nico South Stack Road SH212 818 . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". With beautiful coast, lovely beaches, imposing mountains, lush countryside and pretty nature reserves there is something for everyone to enjoy. Anglesey (Ynys Mn in Welsh) is a large island off the coast of north-west Wales. Then, celebrate joining many other subscribers! This island is a paradise for geologists. The main town, Holyhead with a ferry port has a good connection to Ireland. Stunning cliffs with 400 zigzag steps leading to the lighthouse will definitely impress you. From there youd need to catch the 61 bus to Rhydwyn, from which its another mile to Church Bay. Looking out for dolphins or seals will make your trip to North Wales really magical. Ive created this map in google maps showing all the places I mention on each of the Anglesey walks . Im not sure if the park gets busier in peak season but, during my visit in early September, there wasnt another soul around.This rugged area of Holy Island is scattered with pink and yellow flowers, etched with stony white paths that weave towards craggy Holyhead Mountain. In Holyhead Maritime Museum you can see the Mammoth jawbone! Goleudy Twr Mawr and Goleudy Twr Bach remind me of windmills. Anglesey Sea Zoo. We followed a path which gave us good views to the port of Holyhead and its long snaking breakwater. To confirm your download please enter your email address below: We only use cookies to make sure you get the best experience when using our website. This flat and fertile island was like a magnet for Commander Suetonius Paulinus. It has a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. Get unique travel inspiration in my email newsletter! All of them are lovely little bays between rock cliffs. While visiting Trearddur Bay, take a 10-minute walk to the two other beaches in town. Browse all Holy Island accommodation on Booking.com. 16% of Wales Coast Path belongs to this island so if you want to explore the Welsh coast, visit Anglesey. Because of its name, Llanfair PG is one of the best-known villages in North Wales, but most people only get to see the railway station signs and the shopping centre across the car park and never get to see the places that give it its Welsh name. There is more to Holyhead than being a busy terminal for ferries to Northern Ireland and Eire. Ordovician rocks, limestones, or oolitic ironstones are just a few types of rocks that you can see in Anglesey. Traeth Borth Wen is a sandy beach with gentle waves and plenty of rockpools. Unfortunately, due to the Vikings raids a lot of them were destroyed. My work is regularly featured in top media outlets like The Guardian, BBC, and Conde Nast Traveler . You will also be able to enjoy delicious food in the hotels award-winning restaurant. Sea kayak trips often start from here. The island has really interesting geology. The Church of St Tysilio can be reached on foot if you continue to Menai Bridge (Porthaethwy), one of the most pleasant Anglesey towns, and follow the Belgian Promenade around to Church Island. All these walks have something in common. Copyright 2023 Travel Blog Ukeveryday | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. The Anglesey Coast Path on Holy Island officially starts at St Cybis Church in Holyhead. Covering an area of only 15 square miles, Holy Island might be small but it certainly packs a punch with coastlines full of tiny coves, sweeping bays . 1. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);
The beaches of Rhosneigr are great for surfing, fishing and diving. You can visit the fishing village Moelfre, see the castle of Beaumaris or explore lovers island Ynys Llanddwyn. However, the sea temperature is the coldest this season. Only Ireland slightly protects it from the Atlantics winds. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. How to get to Holy Island on the west coast of Anglesey? ANGLESEY WALKS Seasonal Ambles and Escapes. In the meantime, it is worth a brief diversion for a closer look. Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes! The dunes and pebbly shores of Broad Beach span from the village all the way to the Barclodiad y Gawres neolithinc burial chamber. This post may contain affiliate links. My work is regularly featured in top media outlets like The Guardian, BBC, and Conde Nast Traveler . I created this site with my wife Faye to share our knowledge and help people like you explore this extraordinary continent You can find out more about us here, Copyright Delve Into Europe 2023 All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy | Disclaimer |Terms and Conditions - Use of the content on this website for AI and ML training is prohibited. You can also visit St Cybis Church in Holyhead or St Patricks Church in Cemaes Bay. Park on the side road near the rebuilt Pearl Shaft Engine House, and follow the track uphill to the left. South Stack, the Anglesey lighthouse, perches on its own tiny island off the far west coast of the island. Head to the south of the island for camping and glamping.Blackthorn Farm is an idyllic place to stay near all the main attractions. An increase in the sea level caused this part of Wales to become an island that is only 200 meters high. Anglesey Coast Path. If you want to relax at the spa during your holiday visit a hotel in the heart of Anglesey Island. Rocks on the island are really special and I have to admit that it is hard to find something similar to that across the country. South Stack lighthouse. Why are Holy Island and Anglesey Island rocks so special? The comfy rooms and private cottages offer gorgeous coastal and countryside views. Even, the temperature might be a bit lower than in other parts of the country, you will enjoy hiking green hills or cycling on the island. Anglesey LL77 7TW Tel: (01248) 750057. Brachiopods fossils or macrofossils are a few secrets of the island that you can see on the rocks. The coastline of 140 miles (225km) offers amazing views of the oldest rock formations in the world. Still, the outline of the ring set against the view of Holyhead Mountain is worth visiting for. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Book from 60 per night.Browse all Holy Island accommodation on Booking.com. The temperature might drop to 3C so it can get really cold during winter. Cross the Pont Britannia bridge connecting the mainland with Anglesey Island and continue on the A55 North Wales Expressway following signs to Holy Island. Bring comfy shoes and maybe avoid if youre afraid of heights. Each month I share amazing places with my readers. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next. There is a big cross on the island and the churchs ruins. Plenty in Holyhead Town Island Summary: The circular walk around Holy Island, Anglesey, is one of the best sections of the Wales Coast Path. The Location of Anglesey Island - North Wales THE LOCATION OF ANGLESEY DURING YOUR STAY. But all of that is a general description of the very warm and social town that is the heart of Holy Island. The Island was a landing point between Ireland and Britain for almost 4,000 years. Walking is one of the best ways to experience the Welsh coastline with over 800 miles of path to explore, taking you over impressive cliff-tops and across beautiful beaches. Its especially beautiful between mid-July and early September when the area is carpeted with pink and purple heather. The limestone cliffs with protozoan shells will impress every explorer of the island! At this point, you have a choice continue in the direction of Trearddur Bay, which has three great sandy beaches, or return to the path at Porth Saint. The island is rich in culture and natural beauty, and is jam packed with things to do. Its very close to the car park from where the walk begins. Also known as the Island of the Brave due to its history. Twr Mawr and Twr Bach the most beautiful lighthouses in Wales. This blissful sandy cove has protective cliffs that buffer it from strong waves, making it an ideal place for watersports. During summer you might expect long queues so make sure to arrive as early as possible. Circular Walk Via North Stack Distance: 5 miles Time: 2 hours The walk starts on the Cob (dyke) off the salt marshes of Malltraeth on the wild south west coast, an estuary renowned for its fascinating birdlife. Its name refers back to the religious settlement founded here in the sixth century by St Cybi, the town of Holyhead too still bears his name in its Welsh form, Caergybi. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Anglesey Island is exposed to strong winds due to its location. In native Welsh, Twr Mawr means great tower and Twr Bach small tower. You might also glimpse dolphins and porpoises in the bay. Rocks on Anglesey Isle are from the Palaeozoic age. Available for both RF and RM licensing. One of the first places we came to (just 1.5 miles away) was Porth Dafarch. walks on holy island angleseywhat is the indirect effect of temperature on orcas. Holyhead Mountain Walk 53.313237 , -4.6755299 < Back to Activities Distance: 7.7 km Difficulty: Moderate Method: Walking Wow Factor: 10 out of 10 Location: Holy Island, Anglesey Size: 3942 hectares Terrain: Moorland and coast path Access: Road bridge Height gain: 405 metres Map: OS Explorer 262 After the Roman period, there was the Age of Saints with plenty of monasteries in Penmon and Holyhead. The Iron Ring of Castles also includes Conwy Castle which is only 35 minutes drive from Beaumaris. When you Google Holy Island Wales, youll be instantly rewarded with photos of this beauty.South Stock Lighthouse (Ynys Lawd) was built in 1806 to warn ships of the dangerous rocks and cliffs below. Anglesey offers plenty of coastal walks and hidden gems that you can enjoy during your holiday. Holyhead Breakwater provides protection from strong waves. Getting here : LL651HY Will bring you to the car park. Summer is best for beach basking but dont expect any empty beaches!Where can you stay on Holy Island? Walking Tours Shore Excursions Ways to tour Holyhead Book these experiences for a close-up look at Holyhead. The Grade II listed Victorian mansion has a private beach set in the beautiful scenery. Once youre past the Britannia Bridge the prospect improves immensely. You can also find pillow lava stones in Ynys Llanddwyn island or folded rocks in South Stack. Continue a short distance around the headland until you reach one of the best hidden Anglesey attractions, a stunning brilliant white sea arch (Bwa Gwyn) beneath which kayakers often paddle. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. When visiting Anglesey, you will feel like exploring a completely different world. It is a superb place to base yourself for climbing Anglesey's highest peak, Holyhead Mountain (220 metres) and partaking in some great coastal walks. This hotel is just a stones throw away from the Beaumaris Sea Front. It's reached via 400 steps in the cliffside and a bridge high above the roaring waves. The coastline of 140 miles (225km) offers amazing views of the oldest rock formations in the world. The summit itself is off the official coast path, head for it along paths either side and youll reach Caer y Twr, a Roman fort built to guard the entrance to the port of Holyhead below. Apart from the beaches, you will also enjoy beautiful lighthouses. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While this is realistically due to private property, I like to think theyre perhaps the doorway to another realm that youll be transported to if you step between them!The stones measure an impressive 3 meters tall, standing at 3.3 meters apart. After meeting so many people on their island travels who shared my passion and told me that I must share my experiences so that others could do the same I set up Islandeering.com, where we are passionate about promoting responsible travel to our great British islands. North Wales > Anglesey and Llyn Peninsula > Holy Island. The good news is I have experienced over 20C in spring, so dont give up on this beautiful island. Climbing the spiral staircase in the South Stack lighthouse is one of the top things to do in Wales. The views from here were huge, although the light wasnt inspiring and it was rather hazy, Care always needs to be taken when descending from a summit and Holyhead Mountain is no exception. Head right west from the beach, passing close to a couple of much smaller bays before continuing a few hundred metres to the Coastwatch building which offers a great view of the islets and jagged rocks along the coast. It initially leads passed the ferry port the gateway to Ireland before heading up to Holyhead Mountain. This part of Wales is also a home for a few lighthouses such as The Skerries, Point Lynas, Penmon, Goleudy Ynys Lawd, and many more. If youre not familiar, this is where daredevils climb, jump and swim, following a natural obstacle course around the bay. You have the option of calling it a day at Bull Bay or Amlwch Port Ive opted for the former as the stretch into Amlwch isnt one of the most scenic walks youll encounter, the landscape dominated by long-derelict industrial sites. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This route mainly follows the Wales Coast Path, with a few optional diversions. Summary: Dogs allowed and shower available. From Snowdonia National Park to Conwy walled town and Anglesey Island, there are some real UK hidden gems in North Wales. Holyhead Harbour seen as we retrace our steps uphill to start the ascent of Holyhead Mountain Holyhead Mountain ahead - it's an easy climb, From just below the summit a view along the coast of Holyhead, Trig point at the summit of Holyhead Mountain, Time to descend - we're aiming for the various criss crossing paths below, but can't make a beeline for them in view of the cliffs below, unseen from here, We head towards the sea initially before descending back to the Wales Coast Path, which we'd followed earlier, Having bypassed the crags, it can be seen why a direct descent is out of bounds to ordinary walkers, From here we walk back to the start - the skies had been grey and uninspiring but it had been an enjoyable walk nonetheless. But I digress back to Llanfair PG for a moment. Anglesey Walking and Outdoor Festival - Holy Island Challenge Update. Due to Earths movements, some of them changed into metamorphic rocks. However, a new navigation beacon in Twr Bach was introduced in 1975 so Twr Mawr stopped operating. Tiny beaches set between cliffs make it a top destination to visit in Wales. See all Scenic Anglesey & its Ancient Relics 1 Full-day Tours from 450.00 per group (up to 15) Anglesey Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK 1 Self-guided Tours from 25.00 per group (up to 10) The town is the largest on Anglesey and stands on Holy Island aloof from the rest of the island. Hi Im Lisa. Also, August is the best month for swimming when the sea temperature reaches 16C. It is worth note that this is a very unusual plan for the churches in this area. If you want to stay nearby the Anglesey Circuit there are some other options in Aberffraw or Rhosneigr. The view of South Stack Lighthouse from this area of the clifftops is superb. Anglesey consists of a few smaller islands such as Holy Island or tidal island Ynys Llanddwyn. There are some interpretation boards at the site, overlooking the opposite end of the small lake from the Windmill. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Unsurprisingly, part of it falls within an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).As well as spectacular views of the coast, you may also catch sight of swooping peregrine falcons. Especially, between June and July, when you can see puffins. The name Anglesey comes from English and it refers to many angles on its irregular coast. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Although we didnt stop for a full meal, I notice they serve food from 12-9pm daily. Return via the car park to the coastline and the prominent white Ellins Tower, built as a folly but now the South Stack Cliffs RSPB Visitor Centre, a great source of information on the rich birdlife that makes the cliffs its home. Read next: everything to see and do on Anglesey Island, Wales, WALES ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALSCopy ofLonely Planet WalesAccommodation:Booking.comTours:GetYourGuidePublic transport:Transport for WalesCar hire:Rentalcars.com. Two further walks to consider in Anglesey. From Barry Island to Cardiff Bay and quieter, rural parts of Wales, youll see the Coastal Path signs constantly.If walking the whole of Wales is (understandably) daunting, consider the Anglesey section or simply the Holy Island coastal path section. There is a short historical overview and sections discussing the history behind certain places, such as churches, prehistoric monuments, windmills and the bridges over the Menai Strait. Its a mere 400 steps down (then back up) if you wish to visit. Days on the island are short with only 2 hours of sunshine in November. Recent Projects. After crossing the bridge back to Anglesey, the Wales Coast Path is followed underneath the A5, where the walk then returns to Holy Island via the Stanley Embankment and then Penrhos Park. You can also visit Llangefni, the capital of the island. After crossing the Pont Britannia bridge and driving next to Welsh town with the longest name Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob you will be at Holy Island shortly. The Llanddwyn Island walk continues south-westwards through dunes, passing the ruined chapel dedicated to Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers after whom the island is named. Look out for the prehistoric burial chamber next to the beach. Breakwater Country Park 2hrs 30min Time 4.4 miles Distance Moderate Difficulty Breakwater Country Park Circular Walk Anglesey Rhoscolyn 2hrs Time 3.6 miles Distance Easy Difficulty Rhoscolyn Circular Walk Anglesey Enjoy this walk? 01228 406751 menu. They host sunset paddleboarding sessions which look like an idyllic way to end a day. This 41km route is moderate in difficulty but worthwhile for the striking coastal scenery, lighthouses, beaches and birdlife. The site is pet-friendly so it is a great spot to relax with dogs. Holy Island, or Holyhead Island, is situated on the western side of the larger Isle of Anglesey and is home to the highest sea cliffs in North Wales, We started todays walk from the lower of the two RSPB car parks near South Stack (free to members, otherwise 5 cash at todays prices). We duly located this and started the rocky but easy ascent to the summit. Also, Aberffraw offers a lot of fun for surfers on the west coast of the island. This would lead to the cliffs of the north face which would provide a quick but possibly fatal way down. We walked above South Stack/Ynys Lawd, enjoying good views of its lighthouse, and headed towards the north face of Holyhead Mountain. Best prices, easy booking, no fees with immediate confirmation. Moreover, it is just a few minutes walk from the South Stack Car Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The rapid whirlpool in the name refers to The Swellies, a stretch of often turbulent water in the middle of the Menai Strait. Getting to Ynys Llanddwyn requires driving to Newborough Warren & Ynys Llanddwyn Car Park. Cross the Pont Britannia bridge connecting the mainland with Anglesey Island and continue on the A55 North Wales Expressway following signs to Holy Island.Youll cross the Cymyran Strait, arriving on Holy Island.Although the A55 is quickest, another option is to cross Four Mile Bridge to reach the south part of Holy Island.