Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
(Llanfair PG)
POP 3110
The small town with the absurdly long, consonant-mangling name is an unlikely hot spot
for visitors, yet coaches stop by frequently, waiting while their passengers jostle for a
photo opportunity on the train station platform (go on, you know you want to). The name
(which means St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool
and the Church of St Tysilio near the Red Cave) was dreamt up in the 19th century to get
the tourists in. And it worked. The previous name Llanfairpwllgwyngyll would have been
hard enough; most locals call it Llanfairpwll but you'll more often see it written as Llan-
fair PG.
WORTH A TRIP
ORIEL YNYS MÔN
As Anglesey's county town, Llangefni holds claim to the island's main gallery and museum.
Oriel Ynys Môn
(
www.orielynysmon.info
; 10.30am-5pm) is the lynchpin of the island's cultural scene, playing host
to a busy calendar of exhibitions and events. The main draw is the Oriel Kyffin Williams, dedicated to Wales'
most celebrated artist. The art in this hall changes regularly but always features some of the over 400 Williams
works that the gallery holds. His portraits and landscapes provide a unique window into Welsh culture.
For an island with such a fascinating history, the attached museum is strangely disjointed but it's still a good
place to top up your knowledge of the Roman invasion. The complex also has an excellent shop and cafe. It's loc-
ated immediately north of Llangefni, well signposted from the B5111.
Sights & Activities
Marquess of Anglesey's Column
(adult/child £1.50/75p; 9am-5pm; )
Visible from across the Menai Strait, this monument
commemorates Wellington's right-hand man at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, Henry Willi-
am Paget, who lived at nearby Plas Newydd. Climb the 115 steps up to the base of the
statue for great views across the island.
LOOKOUT
HISTORIC BUILDING
Plas Newydd
(NT;
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd
;
adult/child £8.90/4.45, garden only £7/3.50;
house noon-4.30pm Sat-
)
When you pull up
Wed Mar-Oct, garden 10am-5.30pm Sat-Wed Mar-Oct, 11am-4pm Sat-Wed Nov-Feb;
