When visiting Anglesey, Wales' largest island, you'll be inundated with choices of things to see and do. From exploring its coastline and beaches to uncovering its fascinating history.
I spent some time there recently checking out all of the island’s attractions. I’ve put together this guide with the best things to do in Anglesey along with some helpful tips I wish I’d known before visiting.
Map of Things To Do in Anglesey
1. Visit Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse on Llanddwyn Island
Llanddwyn Island is one of the most beautiful places I visited during my visit to Anglesey, and it’s got some historical significance too which makes it even better.
The island is linked to the story of St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. After being unlucky with love, she became a nun and set up a convent here. You can find out her full story in my guide to St Dwynwen's Day in Wales.
The Church of St Dwynwen on this island was a holy pilgrimage site for many centuries where it’s said that a sacred well of eels that could foresee the faithfulness of a lover.
The church ruins are one of the main attractions of this tidal island along with the beautiful Tŵr Mawr lighthouse and its smaller sibling, the Tŵr Bach tower.
The island is part of the Newborough Forest Reserve and is free to visit. However, if you want to visit by car, you’ll have to pay for parking.
I’ve put together a full guide to help you visit Llanddwyn Island and Tŵr Mawr lighthouse.
2. Spot Seabirds and Seals on Puffin Island
Whilst experienced kayakers can explore the island by kayak, for most people, it’s best to visit Puffin island onboard a Puffin island cruise. These take off from Beaumaris pier and take around 80 minutes, with 25 minutes travel time and around half an hour around the island.
You won’t actually get to step foot on the island because it’s privately owned and a special protection area due to some of the seabirds that are found there. This includes the infamous puffin after which the island is named, as well as guillemots, razorbills, and cormorants.
There are also Atlantic seals that live on the island. If you visit in the morning, you’ll see them hauling out on the rocks.
I visited with Seacoast Safaris and highly recommend them. The tour guide was knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the wildlife and some tips for spotting them. We saw lots of puffins, seals, and other sea birds.
The best time to visit Puffin Island to see wildlife is between April and July as this is when seabirds such as puffins breed on the island’s cliffs. See my full guide to visit Puffin Island.
3. Walk Along the Anglesey Coastal Path
Of course, no visit to Anglesey would be complete without plenty of scenic walks along the Anglesey Coastal Path, now part of the Wales Coastal Path which runs around the entire coastline of Wales.
The path offers stunning views across the sea, with parts of the mainland and the Llyn Peninsular visible from some parts too.
There are a variety of landscapes including heaths, marshes, cliffs, and woodlands, plus several archaeological sites along the way, making it a great option for history buffs.
It might be a little too ambitious to tackle the entire path in one go, so I recommend you choose a few smaller sections. Some of my favourite parts are:
- Church Bay to Ynys y Fydlyn Circular
- Beaumaris to Pen Mon Point
- Holyhead to South Stack and Holyhead Mountain
4. See Eglwys Cwyfan, a.k.a the Little Church in the Sea
Eglwys Cwyfan, or St Cwyfan's Church, is a small medieval church that sits on a tidal island. This was one of my favourite spots in Anglesey and is especially beautiful at sunset.
At high tide, the island and church are totally surrounded by water which is why it’s often referred to as the Little Church in the Sea. The church can be visited along the Anglesey Coastal Path, or there’s a small car park about a 20 minute walk from the church.
Remember, if you want to go on the island and see the church, you’ll need to visit at low tide and allow time so that you don’t get stuck. The church is still used for celebrations such as weddings and baptisms, however, it’s not open to the public so you can’t go inside.
See my full guide to visiting Eglwys Cwyfan here.
5. Go Up a Working Lighthouse at South Stack
South Stack Lighthouse is one of Anglesey’s working lighthouses which is found at the northern tip, just off the coast of Holy Island.
As well as visiting the museum at the lighthouse, you can go up the tower where you can see for miles across the coast and a knowledgeable guide will explain how it works.
The lighthouse is now fully automated and electric, but you can visit to learn about its past before mains electricity when it would be manned by a lighthouse keeper.
Watch out though, some people say the lighthouse is haunted and it even featured on the TV show, Britain's Most Haunted. Find out why it's haunted and how to get there in my full guide to visiting South Stack Lighthouse.
6. Eat Mega Donuts From Llynon Windmill
Llynon Windmill is the last working windmill in Wales producing flour. However, during my visit, one of the sails was broken so it wasn’t actually working but it was still nice to see and you can go inside too.
Perhaps the best part about visiting Llynon is the Monuts store where you can buy the most amazing donuts that are freshly made and baked on site. They are the biggest donuts I have ever seen in my life, so you could easily share one between two people and don’t buy two as I did!
You can enjoy the windmill from the picnic area or buy a ticket to visit all of the site’s attractions. The attraction wasn’t exactly what I expected so whether or not you should pay for a ticket depends on what you’re looking for, see my full review to find out more.
7. See an Old Jail and Courtroom at Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse
Beaumaris Gaol (an old English word that’s pronounced ‘Jail’) was the jail for the whole of Anglesey during the 1800s and it’s even where capital punishments were carried out. It’s now open for visitors where you can get an interesting, albeit very grim, look into the 19th-century punishment system in Wales.
You can explore the cells, see the whipping room, see where prisoners were put to work, and the condemned cell where death row inmates would be housed.
If you buy a combo ticket, you can also visit the nearby Beaumaris Courthouse where you can wander around the old courtrooms, try on a judge's wig, and learn about the different types of crime and their punishment.
It’s worth spending a whole day in Beaumaris if you can. Other attractions in Beaumaris include the castle, taking a ride to Puffin island, and The Exchange which is my favourite place to shop on the island – see my guide of things to do in Beaumaris to find out why.
8. Wander the Walls of Beaumaris Castle
Angelsey is home to Beaumaris Castle, which is often dubbed the greatest castle never built. That’s because it was supposed to be one of the greatest castles built by Edward I as part of his Iron Ring of Castles. However, funds fell short, especially when there were wars in Scotland to fund at the time, so the castle was never complete.
the outside, you can get a fair idea of how enormous this castle is, however, it’s not until you get inside that it really hits you. There’s a massive inner ward with a large lawn that’s perfect for relaxing and enjoying a picnic on a warm day.
Things to do at Beaumaris Castle include walking around the castle walls, climbing up the towers of the gatehouse, and learning about the castle’s history with an interactive film.
9. Walk Across the Menai Bridge
The Menai Bridge is a renowned bridge, not just in Anglesey but across the world as it was the first ever major suspension bridge. Designed by Thomas Telford, it was built way back in 1826.
The best way to appreciate the bridge is to take the Menai Bridge circular walk which takes you around the coastline of Menai Bridge, underneath its giant arches and then across the top. You can also see Anglesey’s other bridge, the Britannia bridge, in the distance.
If you want to learn more about the bridge, the Menai Bridge Heritage Museum is a great little place to find out about the construction of both bridges. It’s just £2 to enter, although it is only open on Wednesday and Thursday so place your visit accordingly.
See my Menai Bridge circular walk for a full route around the village and across the bridge, including a small church on a tidal island.
10. See how sea salt is produced at Halen Môn
Halen Môn (translates as Anglesey Salt) is an award-winning produced or sea salt based on the coast of Anglesey. The family-owned business has been selling sea salt since 1997 and today employs over 20 people on the island.
You’ll find their salt for sale in many local shops and it’s often used by local restaurants too, but if you visit their factory, you can take a 45-minute guided tour to see exactly how they turn salt water from the Menai Strait into their famous sea salt.
Tours run twice daily with no advance booking required. At the end of the tour, you’ll also get to take part in a salt tasting so you can see what it’s all about. There’s a huge gift shop on site selling their salt as well as other merch such as recipe books and branded merchandise.
11. Go coasteering
Anglesey’s rugged coastline makes it the perfect place to try your hand at coasteering. This is a combination of rock climbing, caving, and swimming as you make your way around the cliffs.
Of course, you shouldn’t try this by yourself, there are several operators in Anglesey offering coasteering with a guide and all the safety equipment. One of those is Anglesey Coasteering who offer the chance to join a tour with others so you don’t need to worry about minimum group sizes as with some operators.
12. Visit an ancient burial site at Bryn Celli Du
Anglesey has many prehistoric landmarks that are worth a visit, but the most famous is the Bryn Celli Du Burial Chamber. Not a lot is known about this burial chamber which makes it even more exciting to visit.
It’s thought that the chamber was built to house human remains but was also an important way for the farmers to know what time of year it was because the stones are lined up with the heavens, much like the better-known Stonehenge.
The burial chamber is only about 8 minutes from the roadside car park so it doesn’t take too long to visit. I’d recommend combining it with a visit to Plas Newydd since the two are nearby, and that brings me to my next thing to do in Anglesey....
13. Spot red squirrels at Plas Newydd
Red squirrels are native to Wales and were once very populous here. However, the introduction of the grey squirrel from the USA saw their population almost eradicated. Grey squirrels are better at foraging for food and can carry a disease that’s lethal to red squirrels.
For those that still want to see the cute red squirrel, you’re in luck because Anglesey has eradicated all of the grey squirrels, making it a haven for red squirrels and one of the best places to visit for nature enthusiasts.
The best place to find red squirrels in Anglesey is Plas Newydd, a stately home and gardens that are owned by the National Trust. They have a dedicated squirrel hide and run daily red squirrel tours where you can learn about squirrels and see them for yourself.
I joined the tour and within 10 minutes we had already seen our first red squirrel so I can definitely recommend it. You’ll need to pay to enter Plas Newydd, although once inside, the red squirrel tour is free.
14. Visit a blue flag beach such as Treaddur Bay, Church Bay or Benllech
Church Bay
Being an island, Anglesey is a haven for beach lovers with everything from sandy beaches for relaxing such as Treaddur Bay to rocky beaches for crabbing such as Ynys y Fydlyn.
If you’re wondering which ones to visit, I recommend starting with the island’s 6 Blue Flag beaches. These are:
- Benllech
- Church Bay
- Llanddona
- Llanddwyn Beach
- Porth Dafarch
- Trearddur Bay
A blue flag beach is one that has outstanding levels of cleanliness and safety
15. Check out Penmon Point
Penmon Point is a great spot to visit on the southeast corner of Anglesey. Here you’ll find a pebble beach with yet another of Anglesey’s lighthouses, Trwyn Du Lighthouse (often called Penmon Lighthouse). You can also see Puffin Island from here.
Just around the corner if you walk along the coastline (to the left when looking at the lighthouse), you’ll find the sea bridge where the harsh tides have carved a hole through the rocks. You can walk through at low tide if you dare.
Also at Penmon Point, there’s a little café called the Pilots House Café, they have everything from coffee to full meals, even beers and cocktails. There is a toll to reach Penmon Point as it’s part of a private estate. The cost (at the time I visited) is £3.50 for cars and £7.50 for motorhomes which lets you stay the entire day.
Unofficially, you are allowed to park up here overnight which is a beautiful spot to wake up in the morning. However, you’ll be charged the toll cost again the following day as you leave.
16. Take a cycle tour with Green Lake Tours
Anglesey has many well-known cycling routes which run along its quiet country lanes. This is a great way to explore the island. If you’ve bought bicycles with you, two of the best routes to take are Lon Las Cefni and Route 566.
However, if not, you can either hire bikes from Anglesey Bike Hire who have shops across the island or take a guided bike tour with Green lane Bike Tours. They have six guided tours that operate on Saturdays and Wednesdays during peak visitor season (May to September).
These are full-day tours with a guide who will take you to some of the island's top attractions. Cycles and safety gear are all included. Check out the six different tours they have here.
17. Take a woodland walk at Newborough Forest
If you want to enjoy some walking trails that combine woodland, sand dunes, and rocky cliffs, then a visit to Newborough Forest and Nature Reserve is a must.
There are walking trails for all abilities, including a kid's animal trail puzzle where you can use the clues to spot wooden animal signs and an accessibility trail which has activities for wheelchair users. They also have some cycling routes through the park but you'll have to bring your own bikes.
Top Tip: You have to enter the Newborough Forest Reserve to visit Ynys Llanddwyn, so I recommend spending the day here and visiting both. In the morning, visit Twr Mawr Lighthouse and Llanddwyn beach, then when the tide comes in, you can head to the forest and explore some of the walking or cycling trails.
18. Visit the abandoned brickworks at Porth Wen
Porth Wen Brickworks in an abandoned Victoria brickworks that’s situated right on the coast of Anglesey. Some of the buildings are still in good condition, but others have been eroded by the tide which comes in very close to the brickworks.
It’s a popular spot for hanging out and having a picnic or a drink, especially because it’s easily accessible from the Wales Coastal Path. During my visit, there were at least 30 people here.
Keep in mind that this is not an official attraction/ it’s an abandoned building so it could be dangerous and I wouldn’t advise taking young children here.
19. Get a selfie next to the train station at Llanfair P.G.
If you’ve visited Anglesey and you’ve not had a selfie next to the longest place name in Britain, and one of the longest in the world, then there’s something wrong.
With 58 characters in its full name, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (known locally as Llanfair P.G) is a record breaker. And boy do they know it.
From the moment you enter the village, you’ll be inundated with signs to get a selfie next to. The best signs are at the train station and these are easily accessible with a large car park adjacent.
Unfortunately, the only other attraction in this village is the Marquess of Anglesey's Column which has been closed since 2014 for repair work. So don’t make a trip here especially. But chances are you’ll be driving through since it’s right near the Britannia Bridge.
20. Take a RIB boat along the Menai Strait
One of the best ways to see Anglesey is from the water. A RIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) ride along the Menai Strait will give you a thrilling experience as you speed past some of the island's most iconic landmarks.
If you’re interested, check out RibRide who offer tours to several different parts of the island, these launch from Menai Bridge and Holyhead depending upon which tour you take.
However, these tours are generally private charters so you’ll need a decent group size in order to book.
Did you know that the RIB was actually one of Wales’ most famous inventions – a second reason why this is a great choice of activity on the island.
21. See incredible local art at Oriel Môn
One of my favourite things to do on a rainy day in Anglesey is visit the island’s art gallery, Oriel Môn. The exhibitions here are always changing but whenever I’ve visited, it’s been something interesting.
On my last trip to Anglesey, there was an exhibition by a Welsh artist, Jenny Holland, who had painted over 150 scenes from across Anglesey and North Wales in an impressionist style using oil and acrylic paintings. You can get a glimpse of this from my photo above.
There’s also a café and shop on site, plus they put on occasional events. You can find out what’s on at Oriel Môn here.
22. Trot your way around Anglesey from Anglesey Riding Centre
Join Chester, Diego, Daisy, and Kiwi (those are horses by the way) to experience the joy of Anglesey on four legs instead of two. Anglesey Riding Centre offers the chance to trot your way around the island as part of a horse riding tour.
They have a purpose-built horse riding path that trails around the countryside, taking in coastal views against the backdrop of Snowdonia across the Strait. More experienced riders will even get to gallop along the beach.
They have several different packages for all abilities including a half-hour lead rein for young children, a 1-hour beginners ride, and 1-2 hour rides for more experienced riders. Keep in mind that booking is essential so contact them before setting off.
If you're travelling with children (big or small), see my full guide to the top things to do in Anglesey for families to find out about other kid-friendly activities.
23. Enjoy the best food on the island at Dylan’s
If you’re looking for an excellent place to eat in Anglesey, then Dylan’s is the first place that springs to mind. They have a broad menu but specialise in seafood and pizza. Not only is the food exquisite, but they use lots of locally sourced ingredients in their dishes too, including seafood right from the Menai Strait such as Menai mussels and Anglesey sea bass.
The family-run restaurant has now expanded to three locations across Wales, but their Menai Bridge restaurant is where it all started. The terrace allows you to sit and enjoy the backdrop of the Menai Strait as you tuck in.
They have been recognised with many awards and have been featured several times in the Michelin Food Guide and are one of the island’s top-rated restaurants on Trip Advisor
24. Walk around a former quarry at Breakwater Country Park
If you’re looking for more places to go walking (seriously, haven’t I suggested enough!), then another option is Holyhead Breakwater Country Park.
Holyhead breakwater is a long 1.7 mile (2.7 km) structure built in the sea to reduce the impact of the strong waves and provide a calmer sea for the ships and ferries. Right next to the breakwater itself is the site of an old quarry where all of the stone for this mighty structure came from, this is Breakwater Country Park.
As well as enjoying beautiful walks with wild ponies and rabbits wandering around, you can see some of the buildings that were part of this large project which took 28 years to complete, such as the old brickwork and Felin Newydd (New Mill). There’s also a lake, an outdoor gallery, a café, and play area.
From the country park, you can easily walk to some other great attractions in Holyhead such as Holyhead Mountain or South Stack Lighthouse along the coastal path which is about one hour walking time.
25. Walk around an old mine at Mynedd Parys
In the 18th century, Anglesey became a huge player in the global copper market. One of the mines, Mynedd Parys, was the largest copper mine in the world at the time
Today, Mynedd Parys is no longer an active mine, however, it’s open to the public with two self-guided walking trails around the abandoned mine where you’ll see some relics from days gone by including the windmill and the engine room.
Mynedd Parys is totally free to visit with no parking charges either.
Although not the most scenic walk, the landscape offers something different where you can see the contrast between the alien-like mountains of copper and the surrounding greenery that’s slowly reclaiming the old mine. I took the long walk which took around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete.
After visiting Mynedd Parys, if you still want to learn more about the copper industry and how it changed Anglesey, you can visit the nearby Copper Kingdom Centre in Amlwch. However, the museum isn’t particularly big for the price so I’d only advise this if you’re really interested in finding out about Anglesey’s industrial past.
26. Uncover the Hidden Gardens
The Plas Cadnant Estate had almost fallen into disrepair by 1996, however, restoration works of the historic garden and grounds saw a huge transformation and the ‘hidden gardens’ are now Anglesey’s worst kept secret as they are open to the public.
Expect waterfalls, a secret valley, picturesque gardens, and maybe even the occasional red squirrel. After a walk around the gardens, there’s also a tea room serving up light lunches and afternoon tea.
Opening times vary by season so be sure to check their website before visiting.
27. SUP down the Menai Strait
If you’re into water sports then my final recommended thing to do in Anglesey will be perfect for you. Get out into the sea (or a lake) and go kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddleboarding.
There are plenty of places to rent kayaks and paddleboards to head out into the ocean. Be careful though, not all of Anglesey’s coastline is suitable for beginners, see this helpful guide from British Canoeing to find some safe spots for your ability.
If you’re nervous about heading into the sea by yourself, then I recommend you check out Psyched Paddleboarding who offer a half-day guided SUP tour down the Menai Strait with psyched paddleboarding.
They’ll take you to some of the best spots and if conditions allow, you can go right under the iconic bridges. Plus, as these are group tours, you don’t need to worry about minimum booking sizes.
28. Meet the animals at Foel Farm Park
Foel Farm offers the whole family a chance to take a walk around the working farm, meeting and feeding the animals along the way. You can even board their tractor and tailor for a tour of the farm.
Also located on the farm are plenty of other activities for the kids (big and small) such as the giant jumping pillows, mini trailer and quad bike ride, giant sandpit and pedal tractors. Plus, all of the attractions are included in the cost of your entry fee.
You can also visit the artisan chocolate shop which is also part of the farm and the perfect place to pick yourself up a little treat.
29. Be Larger Than Life at Anglesey Model Village
At Anglesey Model Village, you can see many of Anglesey’s landmarks in miniature form, from the train station at llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch to Beaumaris Castle, and many more.
It's an excellent activity for families in Anglesey because as well as the model village itself there are also plenty of other activities to keep everyone entertained, including an extensive play area, gardens and an on-site café.
Published: 16 July 2022 · Last updated: 26 August 2023