Our Pick Of Things To Do On Anglesey
It may be an island, but there’s no need to jump aboard a boat to reach Anglesey’s best attractions. Ynys Môn, as the island is known in Welsh, has been easily accessible by suspension bridge ever since engineer Thomas Telford built one over the Menai Strait in 1826.
Thanks to easy ferry connections to Ireland from Holyhead, Anglesey’s often used as a location for a quick stopover on a longer journey. It's an excellent destination in its own right too, though, with plenty of great ways to fill your days – from beach time and coast walks to intriguing historic finds.
Whether you're passing by for a single day or sticking around for a longer holiday, we’ve come up with this list of the best things to do in Anglesey to give you some inspiration for days out.
It’s also worth adding camping or glamping as ideas for things to do while you're in Anglesey. Choose a simple farm campsite or opt for a luxurious glamping pod – either way, you’ll get to soak up the fresh air and scenery, and add a touch of outdoor adventure to your break. Have a look at Pitchup’s full range of Anglesey campsites to find something that suits you.
Walk the Anglesey Coast Path
Got a couple of weeks to spare? Tackle the 125-mile Anglesey coastal path, which circles the whole of this National Landscape and passes by Roman remains, cliffside hills and sandy beaches. If you only have a day, you needn’t miss out – just choose one of the 10 circular walks based on the Anglesey Coast Path.
Love to get out and explore on foot? There are more trails to explore in our guide to the best Anglesey walks.
Wander around Parys Mountain
When you gaze out at this otherworldly landscape – a mix of vibrant orange and yellow tones – you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on Mars rather than in Wales. But unlike the Red Planet, Parys Mountain near Amlwch is completely man-made. The part-excavated copper mine, first dug up around 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age, used to be one of the biggest in the world.
This extraordinary landscape is now home to a whole host of wildlife, including skylarks and choughs, and it makes a fabulous place for a memorable walk while you're here.
Step back in time at all the castles and stately homes
If you’re wondering what there is to do in Anglesey on a wet day, Beaumaris has the answer. This tiny town is home to Beaumaris Castle, the last castle built under Edward I in the 13th century. It also houses a creepy gaol with Victorian punishment cells and an authentic tread wheel used to discipline the prisoners.
Another excellent place to visit is Plas Newydd House and Garden, the 18th-century home of the island’s marquess. You’ll spy distinctive furniture and a massive mural painted by the artist Rex Whistler in its neoclassical rooms. With 40 acres of garden and lovely views across to Eryri (Snowdonia), it's a great visit whatever the weather, but a particularly good option for an Anglesey rainy-day outing.
Go wildlife spotting via boat or on foot
To wander among wildlife, pay a visit to South Stack Lighthouse, following 400 steps carved out of a cliffside near Holyhead. Visitors can tour the engine room and take in the sea views from inside, but most come for birdwatching. Puffins have been spotted here from April to June, along with choughs, guillemots and razorbills all year round.
On the east coast, take a boat trip to Puffin Island in the hopes of seeing both puffins and grey seals in their natural habitat. If the weather’s not so great, ogle oceanic creatures at Anglesey Sea Zoo, an aquarium with a marine education visitor centre. Said to be the biggest aquarium in Wales, it has more than 150 native species within its walls, including seahorses, starfish and octopus.
Taste the local produce
Known as Môn Mam Cymru – Mother of Wales – in the Middle Ages because it grew so much of North Wales’ food, Anglesey is still known for its produce. A farmers’ market, where you can stock up on line-caught crab, free-range guinea fowl and locally brewed beers, is held at Prince's Pier in Menai Bridge on the third Saturday of the month.
One of Anglesey’s best known products is Halen Môn artisanal sea salt here – it’s highly rated by both chefs and visitors. Visit the Halen Môn factory for tours that will show you how this top-quality seasoning is produced.
Tick off all the best Anglesey beaches
This island may be compact, but it’s got plenty of bays and coves to discover, including the options in our list of Anglesey's best beaches. If you like wide and long stretches of sand, head to beaches like Benllech, Lligwy and Aberffraw. And if picture-perfect coves are your preference? Lay your towel down at Porth Wen in the north, overlooked by the crumbling ruins of an old brickworks. Or grab a SUP and paddleboard over to Sixpenny Beach, a spot that’s only accessible via sea from Malltraeth village.
Explore an island on an island
When the tide’s out, the ruined church on Llanddwyn Island is a romantic place to roam around. It was built as a memorial to Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers and the reason Wales has its own version of Valentine’s Day (on 25 January). The island and its nearby beach have views out over Snowdonia’s peaks, the Llŷn Peninsula and, on a clear day, Ireland’s Wicklow hills. Keep an eye out for wild horses on land and dolphins out to sea as you wander.
Snap the world’s longest train station sign
When some Anglesey locals decided to combine the names of three settlements in one to gain publicity, it worked: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch has been well known since the 1860s for having one of the world’s longest place names. Drop by to take a picture of the 58-character train station sign – although you might struggle to fit it all in the shot.
From Anglesey it's also easy to get back to mainland North Wales to explore the many activities and attractions of Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, so you might like to plan a day out over there too.
Whether it's a short break or a longer holiday you’re planning, Pitchup has lots of great options for camping in Anglesey. Click the link below to see the full range.
Explore all Anglesey campsites