Wales' biggest island, Anglesey, is surrounded by dramatic clifftop views which are beautiful when viewed from land. But, these cliffs are not easy to navigate from the sea and have resulted in many fatalities. This is why the island is now dotted with lighthouses around it's coastline.
Only a few remain functional today, but visiting them is one of the top things to do in Anglesey. In this guide, I'll share the best lighthouses in Anglesey, explain a little about their history and give you some tips so that you can find them for yourselves.
1. South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack is Anglesey’s first lighthouse built in 1809 on the small island of Ynys Lawd. The lighthouse was constructed in just 9 months and most of the stone used to build it came from the island.
South Stack lighthouse is still functional today and open to visitors. Simply purchase a ticket from the South Stack RSPB centre and descend just over 400 steps down to the island. This is the perfect spot to get some photos of the lighthouse and the stunning ocean views.
You’ll then need to cross a small bridge to cross over to Ynys Lawd where helpful staff are ready to answer any questions you may have and share the history of the lighthouse and how it’s used today.
See my full guide for more information about visiting South Stack Lighthouse.
2. Twr Mawr Lighthouse
Constructed to guide boats through the treacherous Menai Straight, Twr Mawr Lighthouse was built in 1873 on Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey. Its name means ‘big tower’ in Welsh and the lighthouse was built to replace the smaller 'Twr Bach' tower which was not big enough to see clearly from the ocean.
Although Ynys Llanddwyn is an island, it is possible to reach via a causeway which is accessible during low tide. Just a short walk across the beautiful Llanddwyn beach and you’ll spot the picturesque lighthouse in the distance. Even though Twr Mawr was deactivated in 1975, it’s still a wonderful landmark and a great place for some stunning photographs.
If you're interested in seeing it for yourself, I recently visited and put together a dedicated guide to Twr Mawr Lighthouse.
3. Trwyn Du Lighthouse (also known as Pen Mon Lighthouse)
One of the more popular lighthouses on Anglesey, Trwyn Du sits on the Southeast edge of the island, at Penmon point. The lighthouse is recognised by its three black stripes on a white background and is extremely photogenic with the rocky cliffs all around and Puffin Island in the background.
Trwyn Du is still a working lighthouse and although it was originally manned, it has been automated since 1922. To visit the lighthouse, parking is available at Penmon Point where a small toll is required upon entry at the old lifeboat station. From Penmon point, you’ll get fantastic views of the lighthouse which are perfect for taking photographs.
See my dedicated guide to visiting Penmon Point and Trwyn Du Lighthouse for more information.
4. The Skerries Lighthouse
Skerries Lighthouse is located on the largest of the Skerries islands off the coast of Anglesey. In Welsh, the Skerries are called 'Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid' which means 'Islands of the Seals'. The lighthouse was built in 1717 to guide ships from Liverpool to Dublin and with its bold red stripe on a white background, it's hard to miss it!
The Skerries Lighthouse was converted to automated power in 1987 and is still functional today. The Skerries islands is also a bird reserve managed by the RSPB and can be visited by charter boats from the port of Holyhead.
5. Point Lynas Lighthouse
Port Lynas Lighthouse was built in 1835 on the coast of Anglesey, near Llaneilian. It was built to replace a lighted pilot's lookout, established in 1766 as a place where ships going to Liverpool could pick up pilots
Today, the light in the lighthouse is still operational but the building itself was sold and is now a stunning guesthouse and holiday cottages. The guesthouse has maintained all of the lighthouse's original features with stunning views over the Irish Sea, see their website to find out more about staying here.
6. Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse
Holyhead Breakwater is situated near the town of Holyhead and is 1.7m miles long. This Victorian structure is the longest breakwater in the UK and at the end of the breakwater sits the impressive Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was built in 1873 and was fully manned until 1961 when it became automated. It stands 21m tall and is considered to be architecturally important for reflecting ambitious Victorian engineering
The Holyhead Breakwater is established as an area of outstanding natural beauty and is a beautiful walk in itself where you can enjoy the views of the open sea. The lighthouse is accessible from the breakwater but you can't go inside.
7. Holyhead Mail Pier Lighthouse
Holyhead Mail Pier Lighthouse on Salt Island, Anglesey is thought to be one of the oldest lighthouses in Wales. In 1821, it was designed by engineer John Rennie who was one of the most famous engineers of the Industrial Revolution. The lighthouse on Salt Island is of national significance for being one of his last surviving works.
Holyhead Mail Pier Lighthouse is no longer active and Salt Island itself is mainly used for commercial transports with restricted access. However, the lighthouse can be seen from nearby ports and headlands and is still a well-renowned landmark.
Related Questions
How Many Lighthouses Are There in Anglesey?
There are 5 working lighthouses on the isle of Anglesey, these are South Stack, Trwyn Du (also known as Pen Mon), The Skerries, Point Lynas, and Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse. There are also 2 inactive lighthouses, these are Twr Mawr on Ynys Llanddwyn and Holyhead Mail Pier.
Which is the Best Lighthouse in Anglesey?
South Stack is the best lighthouse to visit in Angelsey because it’s a fully working lighthouse and the only one you can actually go inside.
Published: 2 January 2023 · Last updated: 26 August 2023