Visit These Anglesey Historic Sites

 

Sitting at the crossroads between Britain and Ireland and with a rich Roman, medieval and modern past, Anglesey is dotted with a range of historic sites that are well worth a visit during your trip to North Wales. Whether prehistoric burial chambers push all the right buttons or you’re more interested in Victorian feats of engineering, read on to find out more about our top 5 historic things to see and do on the spectacular Isle of Anglesey – from Iron Age relics to the world’s first iron suspension bridge. 

Before we get going, make sure to pack any of the following that apply: student ID, British armed forces ID, proof that you’re under 18 or over 65 or your English Heritage, Historic Scotland or Manx Heritage membership card – all will get you reduced entry at Cadw’s range of Anglesey paid-entry sites. 

Explore Pitchup campsites on the Isle of Anglesey.

Prehistoric Anglesey

Anglesey, like much of North West Wales, is particularly rich in prehistoric history, with Neolithic sites like mighty Castell Bryn Gwyn hillfort near Brynsiencyn, ancient tombs like the Barclodiad y Gawres, Bryn Celli Ddu and Lligwy burial chambers as well as the impressive and mysterious Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles, where the remains of 20 original buildings survive. 

This selection of Anglesey’s ancient sites is free to enter and open all year round, making discovering Anglesey's prehistoric past a great option for those on a budget. 

Learn more about this ancient landscape with our guide to the best walks on Anglesey. 

Beaumaris Castle

Sitting on the Anglesey coast near Beaumaris quay, Beaumaris Castle was built in the 1290s following Edward I's conquest of North Wales. Captured by the Glyndŵr Rebellion in the 1400s, this stocky, imposing castle later went on to play an important role in the English Civil War before being absorbed into a local country estate in the 19th century. Although it now mostly lies in ruins, Beaumaris Castle is one of the most geometric buildings erected by Edward I, and together with other English-built medieval fortifications in North Wales is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Pick a camping or glamping pitch near Beaumaris for easy access to its UNESCO-listed castle. 

Melin Llynon

Melin Llynon on the outskirts of the village of Llanddeusant is another pick that's sure to be grist to any Anglesey history buff's mill. Built in 1775, this impressively intact windmill can be visited inside and out and is open daily. There is also a well-stocked gift shop at this family-friendly spot where you can pick up presents for friends and family back home as well as Mônuts, fresh Anglesey doughnuts that are available between Wednesday and Sunday (while stocks last). 

South Stack Lighthouse

Built on a rocky islet just off the island in 1809, South Stack Lighthouse has saved countless ships from being dashed on the rocks over the years. Come and take a tour of the island and its lighthouse, which are accessible by a bridge from an RSPB nature reserve. Buy your tickets from the reserve's café, keep an eye out for rare species of seabirds and discover the lives of the lighthouse keepers who kept the flame burning here for over 150 years. 

Please note that tours of the lighthouse and the visitor centre are seasonal, but the nature reserve (with views of the lighthouse) is accessible all year round. 

 

Find more places to immerse yourself in nature with our North Wales Camping Guide.