North Wales is home to what UNESCO describes as the finest examples of late 13th-century and early 14th-century military architecture in Europe. Edward I’s ring of iron – a chain of massive fortresses built to subdue Wales – includes four UNESCO World Heritage castles, all within an hour’s drive of Trearddur Bay. Add in the native Welsh castles and later fortifications, and you have enough to fill a week of exploring.

Beaumaris Castle

The closest of the great castles to Anglesey – because it is on Anglesey. Beaumaris was the last and largest of Edward I’s Welsh castles, begun in 1295. It is often described as the most technically perfect castle in Britain, with its concentric rings of walls and a water-filled moat that once connected to the sea. Despite never being finished, it remains an imposing sight. The pretty town of Beaumaris around it is well worth exploring too – excellent restaurants, a Victorian pier, and views across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia.

Caernarfon Castle

Perhaps the most famous castle in Wales, Caernarfon is a statement of imperial power. Its distinctive polygonal towers and banded masonry were deliberately designed to echo the walls of Constantinople. This is where the investiture of the Prince of Wales has taken place since 1911. The castle dominates the town, which sits at the western end of the Menai Strait. Allow at least a couple of hours to explore the towers, wall walks and exhibitions. The town itself has a wonderful food scene – try the Anglesey Arms or the Hole in the Wall for lunch.

Conwy Castle

Conwy is arguably the most atmospheric of all the North Wales castles. Its eight massive towers rise above the medieval walled town, which itself is one of the best-preserved in Europe. You can walk the complete circuit of the town walls – three-quarters of a mile of battlements with views over the estuary, the castle, and the mountains beyond. The town is full of character, with independent shops, excellent fish and chips at The Fisherman’s, and the smallest house in Great Britain on the quayside.

Harlech Castle

A little further south but absolutely worth the drive. Harlech Castle sits on a dramatic rocky crag overlooking Cardigan Bay, with Snowdonia rising behind it. The song ‘Men of Harlech’ commemorates one of the many sieges this fortress endured. The views from the upper towers are among the finest from any castle in Britain.

Dolwyddelan Castle

Smaller and less visited than the Edwardian giants, Dolwyddelan was built by Llywelyn the Great – a Welsh prince, not an English king. It sits on a rocky knoll in the Lledr Valley and is said to be the birthplace of Llywelyn’s grandson, Llywelyn the Last. The setting is spectacular and you will often have the place to yourself.

Penrhyn Castle

Not a medieval fortress but a 19th-century fantasy built on the profits of the slate industry. Penrhyn is a National Trust property near Bangor, and its sheer scale and opulence are staggering. The Norman-revival architecture, the Grand Hall, and the art collection are all impressive, and the grounds offer lovely walks with views across the Menai Strait.

Planning Your Castle Tour

• Cadw (the Welsh government’s historic environment service) manages most of the castles. An Explorer Pass gives unlimited access and is excellent value if you plan to visit more than two.
• Beaumaris is a 30-minute drive from Trearddur Bay. Caernarfon is 35 minutes. Conwy is about 50 minutes.
• Most castles are open year-round, though winter hours are shorter.
• Combine a castle visit with lunch in the town – each castle town has its own character and excellent food.

A holiday on Anglesey puts you right at the heart of castle country. Browse our holiday properties and start planning your trip.

The Anglesey Coastal Path circles the entire island – 125 miles of some of the most varied and beautiful coastal walking in Britain. You could walk the whole thing in about twelve days, but most visitors dip in and out, tackling a section or two during their stay. Here are our favourite stretches, all easily reached from Trearddur Bay.

Trearddur Bay to South Stack

Distance: 4 miles one way | Difficulty: Moderate

This is the walk right on our doorstep, and it is spectacular. From Trearddur Bay beach, the path follows the rugged coastline west, passing hidden coves, rocky headlands and the dramatic cliffs of Holyhead Mountain. The final approach to South Stack lighthouse, with the sea crashing hundreds of feet below, is genuinely breathtaking. You can catch a bus back or retrace your steps for an 8-mile round trip.

Rhoscolyn to Trearddur Bay

Distance: 5 miles one way | Difficulty: Moderate

Starting from the beautiful beach at Rhoscolyn (stop at The White Eagle pub first for coffee), this section takes you along a wild and relatively quiet stretch of coastline. The path dips in and out of small bays, passes through heathland thick with gorse in spring, and offers constant sea views. On a clear day you can see the mountains of the Llyn Peninsula across the water.

Church Bay to Cemlyn Bay

Distance: 3 miles one way | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

On the north coast, this section is quieter and flatter than the rugged west coast walks. Church Bay (Porth Swtan) has a lovely cafe right on the beach – a perfect starting point. The path follows the clifftops to Cemlyn Bay, a nature reserve famous for its colony of terns in summer. The shingle ridge separating the lagoon from the sea is a unique landscape.

Newborough to Aberffraw

Distance: 6 miles one way | Difficulty: Easy

A beautiful south coast walk that takes in Newborough Forest, the vast sands of Newborough Beach, views across to Llanddwyn Island, and the towering sand dunes at Aberffraw. This is a flatter, sandier walk – good for families and perfect on a sunny day. The beach at Aberffraw is reached through a dramatic gap in the dunes.

Beaumaris to Penmon

Distance: 3 miles one way | Difficulty: Easy

A gentle walk along the east coast from the castle town of Beaumaris to Penmon Priory and lighthouse. The views across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia are stunning throughout, and Puffin Island sits just offshore. There is a lovely cafe at Penmon, and the priory and dovecote are worth exploring.

Practical Tips

• The path is well waymarked throughout – look for the acorn symbol
• Good walking boots are essential, even on the easier sections
• Several sections are accessible by bus – the Anglesey bus network connects many of the coastal villages
• OS Explorer Map 262 and 263 cover the whole island
• Dogs are welcome on most of the path but should be kept on leads near livestock and nesting birds

Many of our holiday properties sit directly on or very close to the coastal path. Ask us for recommendations when you book.

Anglesey has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the evidence is everywhere – from prehistoric stone circles to medieval churches, Roman watchtowers to Victorian industrial sites. Here are our favourite heritage sites on the island, all within easy reach of Trearddur Bay.

Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber

One of Anglesey’s most famous prehistoric landmarks. The ‘Mound in the Dark Grove’ is actually two sites in one – an early Neolithic henge was later replaced by a chambered tomb beneath a mound measuring up to 85 feet in diameter. Inside, a narrow passage leads to an octagonal chamber where artefacts including human bones, arrowheads and carved stones have been found. The most remarkable feature can only be seen once a year: as the sun rises on the summer solstice, shafts of light shine directly down the passageway to illuminate the chamber within. Managed by Cadw, free entry.

Holyhead Maritime Museum

Situated at picturesque Newry Beach, this fascinating museum is housed in the oldest lifeboat station in Wales. Take a step back in time and learn about shipwrecks, gallant rescues and pirates. There is also a restored World War II air raid shelter in the grounds. A wonderful family experience and just a few minutes from Trearddur Bay.

Llanbadrig Church

Said to have been founded by Saint Patrick in 440 AD, Llanbadrig is reputedly the oldest church in Wales. It sits on a windswept headland overlooking the small islet where St Patrick is said to have been shipwrecked. A beautiful and atmospheric spot on the north coast of the island.

South Stack Lighthouse

Built in 1809, South Stack Lighthouse stands on a tiny island off the western tip of Holy Island. The descent down 400 steps to the lighthouse is an experience in itself, with cliffs towering above and seabirds wheeling overhead. The visitor centre tells the story of the keepers who lived and worked here. Spectacular at any time of year but particularly dramatic in a storm.

Beaumaris Gaol

This Victorian prison provides a fascinating and sometimes chilling insight into the world of the prisoner during the 1800s. Walk along dimly lit corridors, explore spartan cells and places of punishment, and visit the condemned cell. According to local tradition, the last man executed here – Richard Rowlands in 1862 – put a curse on the church clock opposite the scaffold. To this day, the clock has never kept the right time.

Parys Mountain

One of Anglesey’s most extraordinary landscapes. The ancient copper mine at Parys Mountain features a spectacular Great Opencast, shaped by miners using nothing more than picks, shovels and gunpowder. The colours are astonishing – reds, oranges, pinks, purples, blacks, greens, yellows and greys create an artist’s palette across the scarred terrain. A network of walks surrounds the site, with a viewing area offering a stunning panorama.

Plas Newydd House and Gardens

A National Trust property on the banks of the Menai Strait near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. The current building has its origins in 1470 and evolved over centuries to become one of Anglesey’s principal residences. The house contains Rex Whistler’s largest painting, and the grounds offer beautiful walks with views across to Snowdonia.

Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens

These secret gardens were hidden for more than 70 years before being restored to their former splendour. Stroll around the beautiful walled garden, wander through a wooded dell full of fabulous plants and flowering shrubs, and pause beside a bewitching stream of natural pools and waterfalls. The gardens are bordered by a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to red squirrels, rare ferns and mosses. Every step in this 10-acre paradise is a moment to treasure.

Oriel Môn

A museum and arts centre in Llangefni. The History Gallery provides insight into the island’s culture, history and environment, while the Art Gallery has a changing programme of exhibitions encompassing art, craft, drama, sculpture and social history. Well worth a visit on a rainy day.

GeoMôn Geopark Centre

Located in Amlwch, GeoMôn was established to promote Anglesey as an international UNESCO Geopark. The visitor centre features displays relating to the island’s changing geology and climate throughout geological time. The building itself was originally constructed as a shelter for pilots waiting to guide sailing ships in and out of the historic port of Amlwch.

Anglesey’s history stretches back thousands of years, and there is always something new to discover. Browse our holiday properties and plan your heritage trail from the comfort of a beautiful coastal home.

If you are planning a beach holiday on Anglesey, the quality of the water you and your family will be swimming in matters. The good news is that Trearddur Bay and the surrounding coastline consistently rank among the cleanest bathing waters in Wales. The team at Trearddur Bay Holiday Homes welcomes hundreds of families, couples and groups to the village every year, and the water quality is one of the reasons guests keep coming back.

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Official Bathing Water Classifications for Trearddur Bay and Holy Island

Every year, Natural Resources Wales monitors bathing water quality at designated beaches across the country. Samples are taken at least eight times between May and September, testing for bacteria including intestinal enterococci and E. coli. The results are used to classify each beach as Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor under the Bathing Water Directive.

In the most recent 2025 classifications published by the Welsh Government, Trearddur Bay received a Good rating. Neighbouring Porth Dafarch – a popular cove for coasteering, kayaking and wild swimming just a mile up the coast – was classified as Excellent. These ratings are based on a rolling four-year dataset, meaning they reflect sustained water quality rather than a single season. For visitors staying in one of the holiday properties managed by Trearddur Bay Holiday Homes, both beaches are within easy walking or a very short drive.

Why Anglesey Has Some of the Cleanest Seas in Britain

Anglesey sits in the path of the prevailing Atlantic currents that sweep through the Irish Sea. The combination of strong tidal flow, relatively low coastal population density and the absence of heavy industry means the waters around Holy Island are exceptionally clean by UK standards. There are no major river estuaries discharging near Trearddur Bay, and the rocky coastline allows natural filtration of surface runoff before it reaches the sea.

The results across the wider island bear this out. In the same 2025 Welsh Government assessment, Rhosneigr, Aberffraw, Church Bay, Llanddwyn, Traeth Lligwy, Llanddona and St Davids at Benllech all received Excellent ratings. Anglesey is, by any measure, one of the best places in Wales for clean sea swimming. Guests of Trearddur Bay Holiday Homes are within a 30-minute drive of all of these beaches.

Blue Flag Status: What It Means and Why It Matters Less Than You Think

Trearddur Bay and Porth Dafarch were both awarded the Blue Flag in 2021, an international standard assessed against 32 criteria including water quality, environmental management, safety and facilities. However, the beach has not held the award since. This is not because the water quality has declined.

The Isle of Anglesey County Council, along with Gwynedd and Conwy councils, chose not to submit applications to Keep Wales Tidy for the Blue Flag programme in subsequent years. The reasons are administrative and budgetary, not environmental. The water quality at Trearddur Bay has remained consistently Good throughout this period, and the beach continues to be monitored under the statutory bathing water programme. In practical terms, a family swimming at Trearddur Bay in 2026 is swimming in water that meets the same rigorous standards it always has. The absence of a Blue Flag is a bureaucratic footnote, not a water quality concern.

Swimming, Paddleboarding and Watersports at Trearddur Bay

The beach itself is well suited to swimming at all stages of the tide. The main bay has a wide stretch of sand that slopes gently into the water, making it safe for children and confident swimmers alike. The rocky coves at either end of the bay offer calmer, more sheltered water on windier days. At low tide, the rock pools are a source of endless fascination for younger visitors.

Paddleboarding has become hugely popular at Trearddur Bay in recent years. The relatively sheltered bay offers flat water conditions on calm days, while the headlands provide interesting coastal routes for more experienced paddlers. Sea kayaking, coasteering and surfing are all available through local activity providers operating from Porth Dafarch. Properties managed by Trearddur Bay Holiday Homes along Ravenspoint Road and the coastal path are particularly well positioned for direct beach access.

Practical Information for Beach Days at Trearddur Bay

The main beach at Trearddur Bay has a car park operated by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, with pay-and-display charges in effect during the summer season. Arriving before 10am in peak weeks is advisable if you want a space close to the beach. There are public toilets at the beach, and the village has a convenience store for last-minute supplies. The Sea Shanty restaurant sits right on the seafront and is open for breakfasts, lunches and evening meals throughout the season.

Dogs are welcome on parts of Trearddur Bay beach year-round, though a seasonal dog ban area operates on the main bathing beach from 1 May to 30 September. During these months, dogs are banned from the central sandy area but are permitted on the surrounding rocky sections and smaller coves. Dogs must be kept on leads on the promenade at all times. The map below, produced by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, shows the exact boundaries of the restricted zone.

Outside of the summer restriction period, Trearddur Bay is a wonderful beach for dogs. If you are visiting with a four-legged companion, many of the properties managed by Trearddur Bay Holiday Homes are dog-friendly with secure gardens. The dog-friendly pubs on Anglesey are also well worth exploring after a day on the sand.

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