Aside from the usual hiking and outdoor pursuits, here are the five things to do, if you’re hitting up Anglesey:
Get lost in Anglesey nature at Newborough Forest
You might have to shell out £4 for the privilege of accessing the beach and forest, but the peaceful demeanour of these slices of nature are totally worth it. Because of the beach’s semi-exclusive nature, it tends to be quieter than the free beaches in the town of the mainland; so there’s a certain serenity to their open spaces. There’s also a grand old Lighthouse to visit as well as some smaller houses that used to inhabit the lighthouse keepers. Add to that, quality disabled parking as well as a little mobile catering unit and you can easily while away a few hours in this lovely spot.
Climb South Stack Lighthouse
Another low-key attraction that does charge for the privilege of visitation, South Stack is the kind of picture perfect lighthouse that belongs in on a postcard. Pay the five pounds or so for entrance and you’re treated to a full guided tour. Come at the right time of year and you might see some puffins preening themselves on the rocks. Those with a slight aversion to heights might find the descent to the lighthouse proper a little troubling, but there’s plenty of safety precautions in place to protect the public from harm.
Discover Plas Cadnant Hidden Gems
What used to be gardens with private rental cottages (thoroughly wrecked by floods in December 2015) are now gloriously renovated floral grounds, fully open to the public. The admission price is steep (£7.50) but completely justified considering the amount of work that’s gone into making it as beautiful as it is. There’s tea and cakes at a charming little cafe and a decent selection of ice cream for picky kids. The gardens themselves are a little light on detailed plaques, so seasoned horticulturists might come away feeling a little hard done by, but there’s plenty of contextual info on show for those interested in the gardens’ interesting journey.
Travel back in time to Beaumaris Castle
Sometimes a fully restored castle can be too much for the senses. Wales is full of well kept keeps, why not visit one that is utterly ruined? Ticket prices (£4-6 for concessions to adults, £16.20 for families) might seem a little much for essentially a ruin of little historical importance; after all, Pompeii this ain’t. But step inside and you’ll understand why so many people visit it every year. Without the modern trappings of information desks and National Trust volunteers patiently sitting on chairs; you can really imagine what this late 13th Century castle might have been like. With a few fun side activities like mini golf (tastefully hidden off piste) to boot, Beaumaris makes for a great afternoon out.
Eat some Fish ‘n’ Chips in the car, whilst watching the sea
The admission price for this activity is essentially the fuel cost to keep your windows from steaming up whilst you eat your dinner and watch the sea crashing against the beautiful cliff of Anglesey. Fish and Chip shops dot the island’s coast so you’ll have plenty of chances to indulge in this treat. The fish will be fresh and chip standards might not reach the dizzying heights of the Isle of Skye (just go there and try them), but they’ll still hit the spot after a long day of discovering and exploring.