Wales
North Wales

Anglesey

The Island of Anglesey was the last stronghold of the Druids, who were finally eradicated here by the Roman conquerors around 63AD, and the isle has been home to strange legends and myths ever since. King Arthur is inevitably one of those myths (this is Wales, after all).

More prosaically, the seaside resort of Beaumaris is home to beautiful Georgian buildings lining the shore, and the most scenic medieval castle in Wales (personal opinion). Edward I started Beaumaris Castle as part of his push to keep Wales subdued, but the castle's defenses were never finished, for the Welsh resistance melted away.

Nearby is the elegant mansion of Plas Newydd, which stands a mere 2 miles from the village of Llanfair PG, blessed with [perhaps] the longest place name in the world (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which means "St. Mary's Church by the white aspen over the whirlpool and St. Tysilio's Church by the red cave"). Plas Newydd, home of the Marquis of Anglesey, is an ivy clad jewel, housing a massive mural painted to order by Rex Whistler.

Anglesey is blessed with 125 miles of coastline, a mix of rocky headlands and sandy bays dotted with resort towns such as Moelfre and Trearddur Bay. The beaches at Newborough and Red Wharf Bay are particularly fine (and uncrowded). The entire island has been designated an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Highlights:

• Beaumaris Castle: a beautiful moat clad castle
• Plas Newydd: One of the finest country houses in Britain
• Llanfair PG - the village blessed (cursed?) with the longest place name in Europe, possibly in the world
• Long stretches of sandy beaches

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