Holyhead, located on a part of Anglesey known as Holy Island, is a bustling port town that is best known as a gateway to Ireland. However, there is more to this charming town than just ferry crossings.
With a wealth of natural beauty and historical attractions, Holyhead and the surrounding Holy Island offer plenty of activities for visitors. I recently visited as part of my trip around Wales and in this guide, I’ll share some of my favourite things to do in Holyhead.
Of course, the rest of Anglesey is within easy reach of Holyhead, check out my full guide on things to do in Anglesey for more ideas.
How To Get Around Holy Island
Holyhead (the main town on Holy Island) is very well connected with a major train route from mainland Wales. This is why it’s a popular spot for those visiting Anglesey without a car or those stopping off on their way to Ireland.
Whilst the rural nature of Anglesey mean that it’s best to explore by car, several bus routes connect Holyhead with the rest of Anglesey, particularly services 4, 4R and 4B. You can find the timetables and route maps here.
1. Climb to the top of South Stack Lighthouse
Located at the far tip of Holy Island, South Stack Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks in Wales and the only lighthouse in Anglesey you can actually climb up inside to see how it works and enjoy stunning views of the Irish Sea and the rugged coastline.
In the base of the lighthouse, there’s a small visitor centre in the old engine area where you can learn about the history of the lighthouse at South Stack and how it evolved over time from the days of lighthouse keepers to being the fully electric unmanned lighthouse it is today.
I should warn you that there are more than 400 steps to get down to the lighthouse which sits on a tiny island over a bridge. You should park at the RSPB South Stack visitor centre where you can buy tickets for South Stack. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to this part of the island.
See my full guide to visiting South Stack lighthouse to find out more about planning a trip here.
Note: Situated right next to South Stack Lighthouse, is Ellins Tower (shown below), a former 19th-century summer house that belonged to the Stanley family and has been converted into a small visitor centre and lookout point. If you’re planning to visit the lighthouse, then stop by and enjoy the free view.
2. Explore the lake and trails at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park
Holyhead Breakwater Country Park is the site of the old quarry where all of the stone for Holyhead Breakwater was mined.
It has now been turned into a country park where you can explore the walking trails, walk around the lake and see some of the buildings that were part of the breakwater project which took 28 years to complete. There’s an outdoor gallery and café, plus lots of wildlife including wild ponies and rabbits.
If you’re wondering what Holyhead Breakwater is, it’s a 1.7 mile (2.7 km) long structure built in the sea to reduce the strong waves and provide a calmer environment for the ships and ferries travelling to Holyhead port.
You can drive all the way to the park itself although some people choose to walk there from South Stack via the Wales Coastal Path, this will take around 1 hour in each direction.
3. Hit the beach at Treaddur Bay
One of my favourite parts of Holy Island is Treaddur Bay which is a picturesque seaside village where you’ll find one of Anglesey’s top beaches, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.
This is the only area around Holy Island that I would recommend you attempt kayaking and, according to Canoe Wales, it’s a very beginner-friendly spot
Treaddur Bay has several restaurants, cafes, and hotels. If possible, I would even recommend that you avoid staying in Holyhead itself which can be very busy and overwhelming, and stay in Treaddur Bay instead.
If you’re travelling by public transport, there are several direct bus services that run from Holyhead to Treaddur Bay (services 4, 4R, and 4B).
4. Visit Trefignath Neolithic Burial Chamber
Not far from Treaddur Bay, you’ll find an ancient burial site believed to have been constructed around 3000 BC, during the Neolithic period. Trefignath Neolithic Burial Chamber consists of a large chamber made from upright stones and a capstone (the roof).
The site is one of many burial sites across Wales which would have been used to inter the remains of several individuals.
The chamber is located right next to the A5 and is free to visit. There is a small lay-by where visitors can park, and a footpath leads from there to the site.
5. Learn about Anglesey’s maritime history at Holyhead Maritime Museum
Holyhead Maritime Museum is housed in the oldest lifeboat station on the coast of Holyhead. This fascinating museum tells the story of Holyhead's rich maritime heritage, from its early days as a fishing village to its current role as a major port.
It is suitable for the whole family and any children will be fascinated by the models of older ships and how they compare to modern-day vessels.
There are also lots of different exhibits to see at the museum, including, shipwrecks and lifeboats, HMS Thetis and Holyhead at War. The museum is one of the few indoor attractions in Holyhead making it a perfect activity for a rainy day in Anglesey.
6. Discover wildlife at Penrhos Coastal Park
If you fancy combining some walking trails with beach time, Penrhos Coastal Park is easily accessible from Holyhead and offers stunning views of the Anglesey coastline. It’s free to visit and a great place for hiking, birdwatching, and cycling.
The park is home to a wide range of plants such as snowdrops, daffodils, and sweet cyclamen, several bird species, and maybe even some red squirrels if you are lucky (although there are better places to spot red squirrels in Anglesey). Check out this easy 1-hour loop on All Trails.
One of the more unusual things here is a pet cemetery where owners buried their beloved pets between the 1980s and 2000s. It’s not the most amazing attraction but look out for it on your walk.
7. Reach the summit of Holyhead Mountain
Holyhead mountain is the highest peak in Anglesey. On your trek to the summit, you may encounter Caer y Twr (an old Roman watchtower), the remains of prehistoric huts, a former brickwork which closed in 1973, and mysterious standing stones.
The best place to park for walking up Holyhead Mountain is either at South Stack RSPB visitor centre or Breakwater Country Park. You can then walk along the coastal path for most of the route before some modest but rough mountain terrain to reach the summit. Find the route here.
Fun Fact: Despite being called Holyhead Mountain, the 220m (720ft) high peak is not officially classed as a mountain.
8. Walk the Holyhead and Mountain Circular Walk
There are tons of great walks around Holy Island for abilities. If you’re up for an all-encompassing walk around the best of Holy Island, then check out the Holyhead and Mountain Circular Walk which is a 10 miles (16km) loop around the northern tip of Holy Island.
Starting from Holyehad, the walk passes by several of the attractions shared in this article, plus other points of interest, including:
- South Stack Lighthouse
- Holyhead Breakwater Country Park
- Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet
- Caer y Twr (at the summit of Holyhead Mountain)
- Penrhos Feilw and Ty Mawr Standing Stones
- Trefignath Burial Chamber
There’s also an easier way to do this walk by taking a taxi to The Range which shortens the route to 6 miles (10k). Find out more and see the full route here.
9. Embark on a secret spy mission with Treasure Trails
My final thing to do in Holyhead will particularly appeal to families but might also be great for any ‘big kids’ out there. With the Treasure Trails Holy Island spy mission, you’ll follow a trail route around Holy Island where you’ll have to solve the sneaky clues to crack the code and complete the mission.
The trail is self-guided and involves both driving and walking. Your mission begins at Penrhos coastal park and covers Holyhead town, Breakwater Country Park and Trearddur Bay.
The map can be purchased from the Treasure Trails website where you can download it to print at home or get one delivered straight to your door.
Related Questions
Is Holyhead A Busy Port?
Yes, Holyhead is the second busiest port in the UK, after Dover. The passenger ferry port serves almost 2 million passengers travelling between Wales and Ireland each year. It’s also a busy commercial port.
Is Holyhead Same As Holy Island?
Holyhead and Holy Island are not quite the same thing although are often used interchangeably. Holyhead is the main town on Holy Island which is a small island just off the coast of the larger island of Anglesey in North Wales.
Does Holyhead Have A Beach?
Yes, Holyhead has a beach along the coastline called Newry Beach. However, it’s not very visitor-friendly so many people opt to visit the nearby Penrhos Beach or travel over to Treaddur Bay which is one of the best beaches in Anglesey.
Is Holy Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, Holy Island is worth visiting as it’s home to several great natural and manmade attractions including South Stack lighthouse and the beach at Treaddur Bay. However, you don’t necessarily need to stay here and could visit Holy Island on a day trip. See my guide on where to stay in Angelsey for some ideas.
Do You Pay To Visit Holy Island?
No, there is no charge to visit Holy Island in Anglesey.
Can You See Puffins On Holy Island?
Yes, there are often puffins on the rocks beside South Stack Lighthouse. You can find out more information from South Stack RSPB visitor centre. However, a better place to see puffins in Anglesey is Puffin Island. You can take a boat to the island from Beaumaris.
Can You Walk Along The Breakwater At Holyhead?
Yes, you can walk along Holyhead Breakwater using the wide path that runs along the 1.7 mile structure which is the longest breakwater in Europe. You’ll be able to see out across the sea and even as far as Skerries lighthouse. However, I haven’t included it in my top things to do in Holyhead as other walks on Holy Island are much more scenic.
Published: 1 March 2023