Introduction to Isle of Anglesey

The Welsh name of this island is Mon (the Romans called it Mona), and it is called Mon, Mam Cymru, or Anglesey, Mother of Wales. If this is true, we must say that the child doesn't much resemble the mother. The scenery differs totally from that of the mainland, with low-lying farmland interrupted here and there by rocky outcrops. The landscape is dotted with single-story whitewashed cottages, and the rolling green fields stretch down to the sea -- all against a backdrop of the mountains of Snowdonia across the Menai Strait, which divides this island from the rest of Wales.

Visitors cross the strait by one of the two bridges built by celebrated engineers of the 19th century; the Menai Suspension Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, and the Britannia Bridge, originally a railroad bridge, which was the work of Robert Stephenson. The Britannia, a neighbor of the suspension bridge, had to be rebuilt after a devastating fire that destroyed its pitch and timberwork; it now carries both trains and cars on two different levels. The bridges are about a mile west of Bangor on the mainland.

Many people have passed through Anglesey on the train that operates between London and Holyhead, for a ferry journey to Ireland. A stopover for a day in Anglesey is recommended. Neolithic tombs of Stone Age settlers have been found on the island, as have Iron Age artifacts. The Romans left artifacts behind, as did the early Christians who settled here.

The coming of steamers and then of the railroad brought Victorian-era visitors. However, if you're not really sold on antiquity, there's a lot to do on Anglesey that is totally in tune with today. Yachting, sea fishing, and leisure centers that offer swimming, squash, and other activities are within easy reach wherever you stay. Golf, tennis, nature walks, pony trekking, canoeing -- whatever -- are offered in the daytime, and in the evening you can wine, dine, even dance to the latest music.

To find out about activities on the island, call or write for a brochure from the Wales Tourist Board Information Centre, Railway Station Site, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Isle of Anglesey (tel. 01248/713177). Open April through October Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm; November through March, Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 1pm and 1:30 to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

The island has good bus service. For information about bus service on the island, call Arriva Cymru at tel. 0870/608-2608. The major route (bus no. 4) runs between Bangor and Holyhead via Llangefni. Buses operate at the rate of two per hour during the day Monday through Saturday, but on Sunday service is curtailed to six buses. Bus no. 56 goes from Bangor to Beaumaris every 30 minutes during the day Monday through Saturday; on Sunday, only two buses make the run. All buses cross the Menai Bridge at the town of Menai Bridge.

Menai Bridge

The small town of Menai Bridge, 4km (2 1/2 miles) west of Bangor, has several points of interest. Take a stroll westward along the Belgian Promenade, a walk constructed along the strait during World War II by Belgian refugees. You can go under the bridge, past some standing stones which were recently erected and Coed Cyrnol, a pinewood, to Church Island. The island's 14th-century Church of St. Tysilio was originally founded in the 7th century by St. Tysilio, son of the royal house of Powys and grandson of St. Pabo. St. Pabo is believed to have been a northern British chief who sought asylum on Anglesey. There is no phone to call for information, and hours are erratic.

Menai Bridge is the site every October 24 of the Ffair-y-Borth fair, which has been held here since the 16th century. Today it's really a flea market, not worth a trip unless you're in the area.

This is an excellent place from which to view the Menai Strait sailing regatta in August each year.

For information, the little tourist office (tel. 01248/713177) lies on High Street in the Pringle Sweater Shop. Its hours are irregular, depending on volunteers.

Llanfair PG (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch)

Practically a suburb of Menai Bridge is a village to the west that has been heard of all over the world. Its fame is its name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, or something like that. It 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." The thought has been voiced that perhaps the name was invented as a tourist attraction. You can get the longest train platform ticket in the world from the station here, giving the full name. On maps and most references it is usually called "Llanfair PG" to differentiate it from several other Llanfairs in Wales. The first Women's Institute in Britain was founded here in 1915.

You're sure to see the Marquess of Anglesey's column, standing 27m (90 ft.) high on a mount 76m (250 ft.) above sea level. It has a statue of the marquess on top, to which visitors can climb (115 steps up a spiral staircase). The marquess lost a leg while he was second in command to the duke of Wellington at Waterloo and was thereafter called "One Leg" ("Ty Coch" in Welsh).