Is Anglesey worth a visit? We're considering a week in late September in a cottage, with a toddler, ideally in a town or village that isn't too remote or quiet (not dead, at least) and with reasonably good access to the rest of the island. Also, can anyone recommend best beaches/coves for paddling, swimming and snorkelling? Any any other tips welcome too - food, sites, walks, places to avoid! Thanks v much.
Camaes bay - ace beach, headland and environs.
Avoid Holyhead, apart from the watchmakers shop.
Pils palace, the swellies, benlloch bay, church bay, Warren dunes, caemlyn bay, south stack, the reservoir (dam end), ace spot.
If you go to Camaes then Llastra Farm is a nice place to eat
Benllech, Traeth Bychan, Red Wharf bay, Rhosniegar
Spent a lot off time windsurfing at Rhosneigr , loads of rock pools when the tide goes out. Great for waves and when the wind kicks in as good as it can get.
Our kids were fascinated by the tractors towing boats out of the sea at Rhosneigr
Stayed near South Stack island a few years back. RSPB center and Ellin's Tower worth a visit, lovely headland further south at South Stacks Cliffs Nature Reserve (nice secluded bay down some steps IIRC). Park at Newborough Forest and walk along the beach (at low tide) to Llanddwyn Island. Remember sitting next to the lighthouse and watching the train through binoculars go up Snowdon.
+1 for Newborough beach and forest. One of the nicest beaches in the UK with stunning views back across to Snowdonia.
ideally in a town or village that isn’t too remote or quiet (not dead, at least) and with reasonably good access to the rest of the island
Menai Bridge would be the best base - also easier access to Snowdonia. Or a bit further along at Beaumaris.
Just come back from Newborough. Lovely beach.
Holyhead was just hideous, especially when the ferry was due to load.
The kids loved Trearddur Bay if only for the ice cream shop (The Sea Shanty). I found it a spoiled by dog walkers bagging up their crap and throwing it in the sea to either float away or be washed back. Dirty Bastards.
"Is Anglesey worth a visit?"
No, it's awful, steer well clear 🙂
Porth Dafarch is gorgeous, a lovely bay for swimming and snorkeling.
Mick
Thanks, folks. Sounds good. Lots of good info here so please keep the tips coming, especially relating to snorkelling/swimming and stuff to do with a two year old.
Holyhead still holds the record for the strangest nightclub I've ever been in. L shaped room with a bar in the middle, all the women at one end dancing, all the blokes at the other end drinking. At no point did either cross the boundary to speak to the other. Fortunately my pal and I had brought our dancing shoes!
A few recommendations:-
Beaumaris - Castle, Gaol, Crabbing on the pier, Ice cream from Red Boat.
Menai - Food and a walk under the suspension bridge
Newborough Beach / Forest & Llandwyn Island.
Holyhead Nature Reserve and Beach
RAF Valley check website for watching the fast jet training and viewing points.
Holyhead South Stack - RSPB cafe closed at mo.
Around Anglesey walk. Walk from South Stack to Treaddur Bay and onto Rhoscolyn is excellent.
Wavecrest Cafe at Rhyd Wyn - Church Bay
Parys Mountain @ Amlwch
As others have said no much in H/Head but u can walk the breakwater.
Anglesey Transport Museum
Enjoy your trip.
Just came back from a week up there.
Church Bay for rockpools and cliff walks and then Wavecrest Cafe - check opening times as not 7 days a week for the cafe.
Llanddona for a big and normally pretty empty beach for a walk, interesting roads down to the beach. Very shallow and sandy so great for splashing about.
Rhosneigr if windy to watch the kite and windsurfers, look out on the beach for my gopro session that I lost in the waves.
We have stayed with this lot the last 3 years, doesn't meet the town criteria but nice places and some with hot tubs. http://www.sageandsea.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItNWYpeij5AIVibTtCh3UWw0XEAAYASAAEgLQiPD_BwE
I adore Anglesey. All the advice above is spot on. We have stayed in Rhosneigr a lot and the sunsets are absolutely awesome.
To the list of must do's I would like to add The Stone Science Museum- absolutely wonderful!
Stone Science