LOCATION
The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) is situated off the north-west coast of Wales and is about 15-20 miles across. It is separated from the mainland and the beautiful Snowdonia mountain range by the Menai Strait, the strait is spanned by two picturesque bridges, the Menai Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. Anglesey was known as Mam Cymru ('Mother of Wales') during the middle ages because its fertile fields formed the breadbasket for the north of Wales. It is rich in megalithic sites, perhaps the best known being Bryn Celli Ddu - the Mound in the Dark Grove. The wide range of standing stones makes the island worth a couple of days' visit. The twin stones of Penrhos Feilw and the enigmatic Bryn Celli Ddu are well worth breaking your journey for!
Today it has several thriving towns. The historic town of Beaumaris is the site of one of the castles built by Edward I after his defeat of the Welsh princes, as well as the historic mansion Henllys Hall, now a hotel (see their pages for more on the history of Anglesey and Wales). The town of Holyhead is the main ferry port for travel across the Irish Sea to Dublin and Llangefni, in the centre of the island, is the county town.
Anglesey also has the village with the longest place name in Britain: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. The name, when translated into English, means "The church of St. Mary in a hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and near St. Tysilio's church by the red cave". The name was actually coined in the nineteenth century to attract tourists to the Island. It is abbreviated to Llanfairpwll or Llanfair P.G. by the locals.
THE MENAI BRIDGE
