Isle of Anglesey: Plas Newydd, South Stack and Beaumaris Castle
Anglesey lies off the north coast of Wales, connected to the mainland by two bridges across the Menai Strait. Many people pass through it on the way to the ferry at Holyhead, and that is a real shame: the island has enough to keep you busy for two full days.
The South Stack lighthouse stands on a separate rock at the western tip of the island (according to the lighthouse's official website). In summer, puffins, guillemots, and razorbills nest on these cliffs.
Below are four stops on Anglesey: an estate with gardens, a lighthouse, a town with a UNESCO castle, and a cruise to a bird island, plus practical tips on tickets, getting around, and where to stay.
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What to see on Anglesey: four stops
💡 In short:
- Plas Newydd: a neo-Gothic house, garden, park, and museum in the rooms.
- South Stack: a lighthouse on quartzite cliffs and seabird colonies.
- Beaumaris: a castle from Edward I's "iron ring" and a promenade by the Menai Strait.
- Puffin Island: a cruise from Beaumaris pier to puffin nesting grounds.
- Prices and opening hours are seasonal, so check them on the trust's official website.
The order works like this. In the morning you see the house and park at Plas Newydd. In the afternoon you drive west to the South Stack lighthouse. You finish the evening in Beaumaris, at the castle and the promenade.
Put the Puffin Island cruise on a separate day, because that way you will have time for the birds, seals, and photos without rushing.
Plas Newydd and the gardens above the Menai Strait
Plas Newydd served as the home of the Marquesses of Anglesey, and in the 18th century it was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style. Today it is a museum, park, and garden open to visitors.
© Llywelyn2000 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAround the house there are 16 hectares of garden and 52 hectares of woodland with lawns, and the rooms display paintings and personal belongings used by the Marquesses of Anglesey (according to the estate's page). In the park you may spot red squirrels.
What impresses most here is the natural setting. From the terrace you can see the Menai Strait with white sailboats and the misty peaks of Snowdonia.
Along the avenue grow mighty Monterey cypresses, the garden has a rose garden and a pond with water lilies, and after rain the air here becomes especially fresh.
If you get hungry, stop by The Old Dairy Café or The Sunroom Kiosk. Get a slice of Welsh cake, served warm here.
Near the estate is the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, which has the longest name in Britain, invented as a publicity stunt for a new railway station.
The trick still works: tourists step onto the platform and photograph the name sign. For the village, the station has long been its main attraction.
South stack lighthouse on holy island
South Stack was built in 1809 on a separate islet at the western tip of Anglesey. The lighthouse is reached by 400 steps down the cliff, and the islet is separated from the shore by 30 meters of churning water (according to the South Stack lighthouse page).
© Denis Egan · CC BYPhoto: Denis Egan, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe lighthouse still serves as a navigational aid for ships in the Irish Sea, and the former engine room is now open to visitors, offering a view of the entire coastline.
Quartzite cliffs rise 60 meters out of the sea, and thousands of birds nest on them: guillemots, razorbills, and puffins (according to bird information on the lighthouse website).
Weather here matters more than plans: an umbrella is useless, so bring a raincoat, because gusts can blow hats and phones away. When average wind speed exceeds 30 mph, access to the island is closed (according to lighthouse visiting rules).
Children are allowed with height restrictions, and dogs are not permitted on the island. Stay well away from the cliff edge, as there are almost no barriers.
Beaumaris and the castle from the "iron ring"
Beaumaris lies on the eastern shore of Anglesey, right by the Menai Strait. Medieval, Georgian, and Victorian architecture mix here, making the town look older than its neighbors.
© Llywelyn2000 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe name comes from Norman French: beau marais means "beautiful marsh." That is how this area was described before the fortress was built in the late 13th century.
Beaumaris Castle completed the "iron ring" of fortresses with which Edward I held Wales, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (according to the Anglesey tourism office). The concentric lines of fortifications have survived almost perfectly.
Stroll through the streets lined with pastel cottages and head to the waterfront. From the pier you can see the Menai Strait and the mountains of Snowdonia on the opposite side.
The town has plenty of pubs and cafes serving hot home-style food. For ice cream, stop by the Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour.
Book tickets for the castle and other Welsh fortresses online in advance: tickets for Welsh castles and museums on Tiqets.
Cruise to puffin island from beaumaris pier
If the puffins at South Stack were not enough, take a cruise to Puffin Island. Boats depart from Beaumaris Pier, and the island itself is a bird sanctuary where seabirds nest and a colony of grey seals lives.
© Bencherlite · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bencherlite, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia CommonsPlan your trip between April and July. During this period the colonies are most active, and you will see puffins, guillemots, and razorbills up close.
Cruises come in short and long versions, and the most popular route runs along Puffin Island and further through the Menai Strait past the bridges.
It is best to book in advance: cruises to Puffin Island on GetYourGuide.
Tickets and opening hours: what to check in advance
Prices and schedules at all four sites are seasonal, so check them on the official pages of each attraction before your trip.
Place | Tickets | Hours and details | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
Plas Newydd | paid, family rates available | park open during the day, house rooms on a schedule | |
South Stack | paid entry to the island | closed in strong winds | |
Beaumaris Castle | entry with a Cadw ticket | schedule varies by season | |
Puffin Island | cruise, pay online or at the pier | sailings from April |
Tours and tickets in Anglesey
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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How to get to Anglesey
Anglesey is connected to the mainland by bridges across the Menai Strait, so you don't need a ferry. By car, you're on the island in a couple of minutes.
A train on the North Wales Coast line runs to the island. Convenient stations: Bangor on the mainland and Llanfairpwll on Anglesey itself. Trains don't go to Beaumaris, so from Bangor you'll get to the castle by bus or taxi.
It's worth checking train tickets in advance: train tickets across Wales on Trip.com.
A car gives you flexibility: you decide how long to stand by the cliffs and when to leave for the castle.
Where to stay on Anglesey
Book accommodation on Anglesey in advance, because in summer there are fewer available rooms than demand. There are two bases: Beaumaris in the east and Holyhead in the west. The first is closer to the castle and promenade, the second to the lighthouse.
Take a look at the options: hotels and guesthouses on Anglesey on Trip.com.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does entry to Plas Newydd cost?
The price is set by the National Trust and depends on the season: in high season the ticket is more expensive, and some rooms are closed in winter. Check the current price on the estate page before buying, and get your ticket online so you don't stand in line at the ticket office.
Can you climb the South Stack lighthouse?
Yes, when the wind is light. There are 400 steps leading to the islet, and at the top you can see the engine room and the viewing platform (according to the lighthouse website). Entry is closed in strong winds, so check the forecast in the morning.
What to see in Beaumaris besides the castle?
The promenade with views of the Menai Strait and the pier, where cruises to Puffin Island depart from.
When is the best time to go to Puffin Island?
From April to July, during the nesting season: that's when you'll see puffins, guillemots and razorbills. In high summer, sailings fill up quickly, so book your spot in advance, and bring a raincoat no matter what.
Do you need a car on Anglesey?
It helps. The train and bridges will get you to the island, but the sights on Anglesey are spread out, and without a car you'll lose time on connections. Renting one for a day or two is well worth it.
In short: what to book
If you have one day, do Plas Newydd in the morning, South Stack in the afternoon, and Beaumaris in the evening. Give the second day to the Puffin Island cruise and book it in advance. If you are going for the birds, aim for April through July. For two days, stay overnight on the island.
One more tip: compare car rental prices before the trip. With a car you will fit in more.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.