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Anglesey
Island of castles, Neolithic tombs and sea cliffs across the Menai Strait, with the Irish ferry port at Holyhead
Anglesey (Ynys Môn) is an island off the north-west coast of Wales, joined to the mainland by two bridges over the Menai Strait. The county of the Isle of Anglesey also includes Holy Island to the west, where Holyhead, the largest town, has the ferry port for Dublin. Llangefni in the middle of the island is the administrative centre, and Beaumaris, Menai Bridge and Llanfairpwll sit along the Strait.
Most of the coast is a National Landscape, and the Anglesey Coastal Path runs for about 200 km (124 miles) around the island as part of the Wales Coast Path. This guide has two parts: Beaumaris, Menai Bridge and the east, with Edward I's last castle, Plas Newydd and the bridges; and Holyhead and Holy Island, with South Stack, Holyhead Mountain and the port.
- Train from LondonFrom 3 h 50 minFastest London Euston to Holyhead time given by Avanti West Coast
- Ferry to DublinAbout 3 h 15 minStena Line's crossing time from Holyhead; Irish Ferries gives about 3 h 30 min
- Coastal pathAbout 200 kmThe Anglesey Coastal Path around Anglesey and Holy Island, part of the Wales Coast Path
- PopulationAbout 68,600Isle of Anglesey county, 2025 estimate cited by Wikipedia
Gegenden
2 places to begin
Each area has its own mini guide with 22 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay across the city.
Beaumaris, Menai Bridge & the east
Edward I's last castle, Telford's bridge, Plas Newydd and Neolithic tombs along the Menai Strait
Mini-Guide öffnen →
Holyhead & Holy Island
The Dublin ferry port, with South Stack's seabird cliffs, Holyhead Mountain and the beaches of Holy Island
Mini-Guide öffnen →Sehenswürdigkeiten
Highlights across Anglesey
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Beaumaris Castle
The last of Edward I's castles in Wales, begun in 1295 and never finished; part of a World Heritage Site and run by Cadw.
RSPB South Stack and Ellin's Tower
Heath and sea cliffs where guillemots, razorbills and puffins breed in spring and choughs fly all year; viewpoint at Ellin's Tower.
Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse
County prison built in 1829, with original cells and exercise yards, and a courthouse built in 1614; both run by Beaumaris Town Council.
South Stack Lighthouse
Trinity House lighthouse first lit in 1809 on an islet off Holy Island, automated in 1983; seen from the cliffs.
Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol)
Uninhabited island off the eastern tip of Anglesey with remains of a 12th-century monastery; Starida runs wildlife cruises from Beaumaris, April to October.
Holyhead Breakwater Country Park
Former quarry that supplied the stone for Holyhead Breakwater, opened as a park in 1990, with a lake, café and paths to Holyhead Mountain.
Penmon Priory, Cross and St Seiriol's Well
Monastic site founded by St Seiriol in the 6th century; the priory remains are mostly 13th-century, in Cadw's care.
Holyhead Mountain and Caer y Twr
Highest point on Anglesey, topped by an Iron Age hillfort with ramparts up to 3 m high and a late Roman watchtower site.
Fotos
1 / 12With kids in Anglesey
Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our Anglesey guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.
Animals and wildlife
Anglesey Sea ZooAquarium, Beaumaris, Menai Bridge & the east
Beaches and swimming
Ynys Llanddwyn and NewboroughTidal island, beach and forest, Beaumaris, Menai Bridge & the east
Trearddur BayBeach and village, Holyhead & Holy Island
Practical help: travelling with children and where to stay in Anglesey.
Anreise
Arriving in Anglesey
Trains run along the North Wales coast to Holyhead, with stops at Llanfairpwll and other island stations; Bangor, just across the Menai Strait, is the nearest mainland station for Beaumaris and Menai Bridge. Holyhead is also the ferry port for Dublin. Check operators for current timetables and fares.
Mit dem Zug
Avanti West Coast runs through trains from London Euston to Holyhead; its fastest time is 3 hours 50 minutes. Transport for Wales trains run along the North Wales Main Line. Holyhead station is a two-minute walk from the ferry port.
By ferry from Dublin
Stena Line sails between Dublin and Holyhead up to eight times a day in about 3 hours 15 minutes; Irish Ferries also sails the route. From 28 September 2026 adult foot and car passengers need a valid passport or Irish passport card.
Mit dem Auto
The A55 crosses the Britannia Bridge and runs across the island to Holyhead; the A5 uses Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge. Irish Ferries gives about 1 hour 40 minutes from Chester to Holyhead by car.
Mit dem Bus
Local buses serve the towns and many villages on the island. Use Traveline Cymru to find routes and times before you travel.
Journey times are the operators' own figures, checked on 3 November 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
Busse
Buses connect the main towns and many coastal villages. Plan journeys and check times on Traveline Cymru, especially on Sundays and outside the summer.
Trains across the island
The North Wales Main Line crosses Anglesey from the Britannia Bridge to Holyhead, with stations including Llanfairpwll, Bodorgan, Rhosneigr and Valley.
Zu Fuß
The Anglesey Coastal Path follows the shore around Anglesey and Holy Island, passing South Stack, Trearddur Bay, Rhoscolyn and Penmon.
Paying for local transport in Anglesey
Transport for Wales.Transport for Wales Rail lists Advance, season, single, return, flexible and off-peak tickets, sold online, in its app or at stations, with no booking fees. Its site also promoted a £1 bus fare for children and young people (as shown on 1 November 2026).TfW ticket types (opens in new tab)
Beste Reisezeit
Anglesey through the year
Many attractions open from Easter to October and close or shorten their hours in winter: Holyhead Maritime Museum opens Easter to the end of October, the Menai Heritage exhibition reopens in February, and Starida's Puffin Island cruises run April to October.
Guillemots, razorbills and puffins breed on the South Stack cliffs in spring, according to the RSPB, and the boat trips to Puffin Island start in April.
The busiest weeks, with the longest opening hours at Beaumaris Castle and the terns nesting at Cemlyn until August.
Quieter, with some museums and cafés closed; Cadw's castle and prehistoric sites, the coastal path and the RSPB reserve stay open.
FAQ
Gut zu wissen vor der Reise
How do I get to Anglesey?
By train along the North Wales coast to Holyhead (Avanti West Coast runs from London Euston), by road over the Britannia or Menai Suspension Bridge, or by ferry from Dublin to Holyhead.
How long is the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin?
Stena Line gives about 3 hours 15 minutes and Irish Ferries about 3 hours 30 minutes on its cruise ferry. Check the operators for current sailings.
Do I need a passport for the Holyhead ferry?
National Rail and Transport for Wales say that from 28 September 2026 you must show a valid passport or Irish passport card to board Stena Line or Irish Ferries sailings to Dublin.
Which historic sites are free to visit?
Cadw lists free entry at Bryn Celli Ddu, Barclodiad y Gawres, Din Llugwy, Caer y Twr and Caer Gybi. Beaumaris Castle, a World Heritage Site, charges admission.
Where is the village with the long name?
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, next to the Britannia Bridge. Its lengthened 58-letter form is said to be the longest place name in Europe, and it is on the station sign.
Nearby places
Guides near Anglesey
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Fotonachweise
- Anglesey (header): Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Beaumaris, Menai Bridge & the east: Ron Galliers, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Holyhead & Holy Island: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Beaumaris Castle: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- RSPB South Stack and Ellin's Tower: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse: Ian Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- South Stack Lighthouse: Denis Egan, CC BY 2.0, source
- Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol): Bencherlite, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Holyhead Breakwater Country Park: John Firth, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Penmon Priory, Cross and St Seiriol's Well: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Holyhead Mountain and Caer y Twr: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Menai Suspension Bridge: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Cybi's Church and Caer Gybi: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Llanfairpwllgwyngyll: Meirion, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Holyhead Maritime Museum: Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Plas Newydd House and Garden: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ucheldre Centre: Mx. Granger, CC0, source
- Bryn Celli Ddu: Jensketch, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Trearddur Bay: Ian Greig, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Anglesey Sea Zoo: Lynne Kirton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Rhoscolyn: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ynys Llanddwyn and Newborough: Velela, Public domain, source
- Barclodiad y Gawres: Rhion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Gründlich planen
More guides for Anglesey
- Where to stay in AngleseyWelches Gebiet zu welchem Reisenden passt, mit allen von uns geprüften Unterkünften.
- Getting around AngleseyMit und ohne Auto, nach offiziellen Verkehrsseiten.
- When to go to AngleseyWetter, Tageslicht und Packliste Monat für Monat.
- Rainy-day ideas in AngleseyAktivitäten drinnen, nach Gebiet.
- Events in AngleseyFestivals, Märkte und saisonale Veranstaltungen der Veranstalter.
- Attractions in AngleseySehenswürdigkeiten und Museen mit geprüften Angaben zu Eintritt und Zugang.
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