While Anglesey is an incredibly popular tourist destination, there are still some things a lot of people don’t know about it. This is a shame as there are a multitude of interesting things about Anglesey that often go undiscussed. To help remedy this, we thought it would be useful to put together an article discussing the things that make Anglesey unique. If you want to learn more about this, read on as we list down six interesting facts about Anglesey that you need to know about.
Anglesey Is the Largest Welsh Island
Anglesey is the biggest island in Wales, covering 276 miles of land. It’s the fifth-biggest island in Britain. Located off the northwest coast of the Welsh mainland, it is separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait.
Anglesey Is Home to Two Notable Bridges
Anglesey is home to two bridges that are well worth noting: the Menai Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1826 and pioneered by Thomas Telford, and the Britannia Bridge of 1850. Originally, this bridge was designed to accommodate rail travel, but it was rebuilt following a fire in 1970. The original lions on the bridge are still there, although they’re now below the road level and only visible when traveling by train.
Anglesey Is Full of Historic Sites
There are approximately 120 ancient monuments, including the Neolithic or Bronze Age burial chambers, the standing stones, and magnificent castles. There’s also Plas Newydd, a later manor made of stone, which is considered to be one of the most impressive castles in the world.
The island also has strong historical links with the Druids. A Roman general named Gaius Seutonius Paulinus attacked the island in 60 AD, but he retreated after learning that the British Celts had successfully rebelled against Roman rule. The island became a part of the Roman Empire in 78 AD.
Anglesey Boasts Unique Geography
Anglesey has a number of hills, the largest of which are Holyhead Mountain (220 meters), Mynydd Bodafon (178 meters), and Mynydd Llaneilian (177 meters). Anglesey’s geological make-up, a complex history marked by multiple different rock types and minerals, has led to its designation as a Geopark by the European Geoparks Network in 2009 and the Global Geoparks Network in 2010.
Anglesey Is Home to the Easy Care Sheep
The Easy Care breed of sheep was developed by farmer Iolo Owen in the 1960s in Anglesey. The breed was relatively revolutionary: hardy and easily herded, as well as their wool being naturally shed in the warmer summer months, reducing the number of work farmers had to do during that time of year. A dream come true!
Anglesey Houses the Marble Arch
One of the lesser-known facts about Anglesey is that it has an arch made entirely of limestone located in the town of Cemaes Bay. The arch was built to mark the end of the A5 road, which began in London. Thomas Telford constructed the road in the early 1800s, originally to allow mail to be delivered by stagecoach between Ireland and England. This was in response to an act passed by the British Parliament in 1838, which declared Holyhead Ferry Port to be the chief port for Ireland with control over all other ports in Ireland.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of Anglesey. As you can see, there is more to this island than what meets the eye. If Anglesey has piqued your interest, we recommend planning a trip to the island so that you can experience all the wonders that it has to offer.
If you’ve wanted to go glamping in Anglesey, check us out at Canvas Hamlet! We have three luxury pop-up glampsites located in Forge Farm near Llangollen, Anglesey, and Bala. Whether you want a tranquil retreat or the opportunity to go on an adventure, we can arrange that and more for you. Contact us today to make your reservation!