Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Islands: Anglesey
The largest island in Wales at 276 square miles (715 square Km's) the island is relatively unspoiled.
Holyhead is the main town on the island, however unless you are planning to catch the ferry to Ireland you will miss very little if you don't bother visiting, as it has a depressing, dilapidated feel and its best days are definitely in the past rather than the present.
​
Amazingly 2 million passengers a year pass through Holyhead, although I would wager most of them leave as soon as they arrive.
Unless arriving by ferry there are two roads leading onto the island. The so called (and inappropriately named) North Wales Expressway crossing the Britannia Bridge, whilst the A5 crosses Thomas Telford's famous Menai Suspension Bridge. The island also has good rail links.
One of the first attractions visitors to the island come to see is just after the Britannia Bridge at the railway station locally known as Llanfairpwll but, when used with its full name, attracts thousands of visitors as it's the station also known as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch the longest railway station name in the world.
OK it's a cheap marketing ploy but it works.
There is, unsurprisingly, a gift shop next door but it has to be said it has a better range of goods than many far more tacky tourist shops you will find elsewhere and in fairness the owners are very much responsible for restoring and maintaining the station.
With 125 miles of coastline the island has many delightful beaches and none of them over commercialised. many are sandy, many secluded but many have no amenities at all - which is no bad thing whilst even the most "built up" and that's a relative term, have little more than a cafe and or pub and maybe a surf shop but that's no bad thing in my view - I much prefer an unspoiled stretch of coast.
On the downside there are a large number of static caravan parks which I think are abominations and totally ruin the landscape.
Rhosneigr and Treaddur Bay are renown for their windsurfing, the former is located close to RAF Valley so the peace and quiet may be shattered by military jets taking off but for me that's no bad thing.
For walkers there is a coastal path encompassing the entire island and from many places, assuming clear weather - which is never guaranteed - stunning views of Snowdonia are offered.
The coastal path isn't easy as the entire route has an aggregate climb of 4,174 metres (of course there are the corresponding descents as well, so it evens out)
​
A couple of other places worthy of mention are Cemaes Bay, a pretty sheltered bay on the north coast.
Whilst Moelfre has a very interesting Lifeboat centre telling the story of the RNLI both nationally and locally and it's a great chance to learn about the great work carried out by this voluntary organisation and its brave volunteers.
On balance Anglesey is what I would call an OK island - good if you're a nature lover and a lover of the rugged outdoors. If you're a lover of lively beaches, nightclubs and the party life then Anglesey is unlikely to float your boat.
​
Would I visit the island again?
​
Well if I was in the area I would but, being honest I wouldn't go out of my way or make a special trip.