Menai Holiday Cottages

Places of Historical Interest

Beaumaris Castle - A superb, fairy tale castle built by James of St George for Edward I. It is the last of the great royal castles with which Edward I ringed the North Wales seaboard from Flint to Aberystwyth. The castle is a great unfinished masterpiece of military architecture - The money ran out before the fortifications reached their full height! There is a great walk along the top part of the inner wall, from where you get a fantastic view both of the castle layout and the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it.

Beaumaris Courthouse & Gaol - The Courthouse was built in 1614 and visitors can now retrace the prisoner's journey to the dock. For example, local man, Howard Hughes was sentenced here to be whipped through the streets of four towns on the island for stealing food! With a hammer-beam roof, the fittings of this picturesque court room are all original. The neighbouring Gaol was built in 1829. Its tread wheel, designed for hard-labour prisoners, is the only one in Britain still in place. A nursery above the women's workroom has a slit in the floor through which mothers could, by pulling a rope, rock their babies' cradles without stopping working. Executions were a huge local attraction - but happily there were only ever two!

Church in the Sea, Aberffraw - St Cwyfan's is known as the Church in the Sea - and for good reason! The church can only be reached at low tide, and on foot. Old maps show the church standing on the mainland of Anglesey, but erosion by the sea of the boulder clay cliffs has since separated the church from the mainland. The original site was founded in the 7th Century, and the present building is thought to date back to the 12th or 13th Century.

Llanbadrig Church, Cemaes Bay - This lovely little church is rich in history and well worth a visit. Believed to be the oldest Christian site in all Wales, it dates back to at least 440 AD, not long after the Roman army left Britain.

Llanddwyn Island - At the far end of Llanddwyn Beach, on the edge of Newborough Forest, this narrow finger of land is an excellent spot for walkers and historians. It was home to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers in the 5th century as well as a host of maritime and natural history. It is about a 2 mile walk from the Newborough Forest car park (either by Llanddwyn beach or through a wide track through the forest). Its remote location, with spectacular rugged and exposed landscapes makes it a truly outstanding natural beauty spot.

Llynnon Mill, Llanddeusant, Holyhead - At one time, Anglesey had about 50 working windmills, and nearly as many watermills. Llynon Mill was built in 1775 and operated until 1918. After a lengthy restoration, Llynon is now the only working windmill in Wales. Visitors can go inside the mill and watch the miller producing flour. Also on site is another insight into Anglesey's past - a reconstructed prehistoric settlement, including two roundhouses, and a newly planted woodland using species of tree that were in existence at that time. The Llynon tea room offers a wide selection of home-made produce - well worth a visit!

Moelfre - At the end of the 19th century, this was one of the busiest fishing villages on Anglesey. The lifeboat station, established in 1830, is one of the most famous in Britain. Its crews have saved hundreds of lives and won many awards for bravery. The Royal Charter, perhaps one of Britain's most famous shipwrecks, foundered on rocks just off the Moelfre coast, claiming the lives of 459 passengers. The Seawatch visitor centre provides a history of the lifeboat and the many shipwrecks that surround the coast. A memorial to the victims of the Royal Charter, stands directly above the site of the wreck on the cliffs to the north west of the village at Porth Helaeth.

Neolithic Burial Sites - Inhabited for at least 10,000 years, there is an intense concentration of Neolithic burial sites on the island. The finest is the burial mound Bryn Celli Du, but the one in the most dramatic and evocative setting, above crashing waves on a deserted headland, is Barclodiad y Gawres. Remember to take a torch!

Oriel Mon, Llangefni - Anglesey's premier purpose-built museum and art gallery. The History Gallery provides a fascinating insight into the island's culture, history and environment. The Art Gallery hosts a range of exhibitions throughout the year. There are also important works by the island's pre-eminent artist, Sir Kyffin Williams OBE RA, together with a major collection of drawings and sketchbooks by the
wildlife artist C F Tunnicliffe OBE RA, who spent most of his working life on Anglesey.

Parys Mountain, Amlwch - At its peak, Parys Mountain was the greatest copper mine in the world. So influential was Amlwch and Anglesey copper that the British navy under Lord Nelson used the metal for sheathing its ships and for use in manufacturing cannons. However, the real surge in mining production and export occured during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Apparently, in March 1768 the records show that a local miner, Roland Puw, was rewarded for playing a big role in discovering a big copper ore deposit near the surface of Parys mountain. He was given a rent-free house for life and a bottle of brandy for his efforts! There is a visitor trail around the mountain, and a heritage centre at Amlwch Port with full details of the mine's fascinating history.

Plas Newydd, Llanfairpwll - With beautiful views across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia, Plas Newydd, run by the National Trust was built in the 18th Century. It was built as a home for the first Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry during the 1815 battle of Waterloo. Most stunning of all are the Rex Whistler's great trompe l'oeil dreamscape murals in the former dining room - a busy fantasy version of views from the house. Plas Newydd also houses a military museum - exhibits include the wooden leg of the first marquess and the blood-spattered, shot-ridden trousers from Waterloo in which he lost the original leg. There are lovely gardens and grounds to explore and a café in the old dairy providing home-made meals and teas.

Swtan, Church Bay - A traditional Anglesey thatched cottage, restored and furnished to its appearance around the year 1900. Open Easter to September, Fri, Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays. Tel: 01407 730 501. The beach at Church Bay is also well worth a visit, as is the Wave Crest café, between the beach and Swtan - they serve the most wonderful homemade scones!