Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE ISLE OF ANGLESEY COASTAL PATH
Anglesey is a big draw for walkers thanks to the
Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path
(
www.angleseycoastalpath.co.uk
)
, a 125-mile route passing through a watery landscape of coastal heath, salt marsh, clifftops and beaches. It's well
waymarked and not particularly gruelling, especially if you stick to the leisurely 12-day itinerary that's suggested
(strong walkers could easily slice off a few days).
The official trailhead is at St Cybi's Church in Holyhead but the 12 stages can be tackled as individual day
hikes, ranging from seven to 13 miles per day. Some of the stages, particularly the far northern legs from Church
Bay to Cemaes, make for bracing strolls against a dramatic backdrop of wild, wind-swept scenery. A highly re-
commended section passes from Red Wharf Bay to Beaumaris, via the beach at Llanddona and the ancient priory
at Penmon. We've outlined another favourite section, from Trearddur Bay to Holyhead (
Click here
)
.
Ordnance Survey (OS)
Explorer Maps 262 (west coast)
and
263 (east coast)
are useful (£8 each), as is the
Isle
of Anglesey Coastal Path - Official Guide
by Carl Rogers (£11 from the Llanfair PG tourist office).
Anglesey Walking Holidays
(
www.angleseywalkingholidays.com
; per person from £450) offers self-guided
walking and cycling packages, including accommodation, breakfast, luggage transfers and transport between
trailheads.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Beaumaris (Biwmares)
POP 1940
Anglesey's prettiest town offers a winning combination of a waterfront location, ever-
present views of the mountains, a romantic castle lording it over en elegant collection of
mainly Georgian buildings, and a burgeoning number of boutiques, galleries, smart hotels
and chic eateries. Many of the houses are extremely old; the local real estate agent occu-
pies a half-timbered house dating from 1400 - one of the oldest in Britain (look for it on
Castle St near the bottom of Church St).
The town's romantic name dates back to the time of French-speaking Edward I, who
built the castle. It's a corruption of
beau marais
(meaning 'beautiful marsh') rather than
beau maris
(meaning 'good husbands') - although, unlike in French, the final 's' is soun-
ded.
Sights
Beaumaris Castle
CASTLE
(Cadw;
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
; adult/child £4.50/3.40; 9.30am-5pm Mar-Oct, 10am-4pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm
Sun Nov-Feb)
Started in 1295, Beaumaris was the last of Edward I's great castles of North
