Why Anglesey
Anglesey, known in Welsh as Ynys Môn, is the largest island in Wales and the Irish Sea, located off the north-west coast of mainland Wales. Separated from the county of Gwynedd by the Menai Strait, the Isle of Anglesey county encompasses the principal island, nearby Holy Island to the west, and several surrounding islets. The landscape features rugged cliffs along its northern and eastern shores, gentler coastal areas to the south and west, and a rolling interior anchored by the Llyn Alaw reservoir.
Much of the county's coastline is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the entire area has held UNESCO Global Geopark status since 2015 due to its diverse geology. Islets such as South Stack and Puffin Island host nesting colonies of seabirds. Holy Island presents a varied geography, combining rocky western and northern edges with beaches along its eastern and southern borders.
Holyhead, situated on Holy Island, is the largest town in the county and serves as a major ferry port with routes to Dublin, Ireland. The administrative centre of the county is Llangefni, located near the middle of the main island. Other primary settlements include Amlwch on the northern coast, along with Beaumaris, Menai Bridge, and Llanfairpwllgwyngyll positioned along the Menai Strait. Two nineteenth-century bridges span the strait to link the island to the Welsh mainland: Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge, built in 1826, and Robert Stephenson's Britannia Bridge from 1850.
Anglesey has an extensive historical record, evidenced by prehistoric monuments such as the Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber, early village settlements at Llanfaethlu, and ancient hut circles at Holyhead Mountain. Historically linked to the druids, the island was conquered by the Romans, who established the fort of Caer Gybi and engaged in copper mining. During the medieval period, Anglesey served as the royal seat of the House of Aberffraw, rulers of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Following the English conquest of Wales, Beaumaris Castle was constructed on the south-eastern coast, now designated as part of a World Heritage Site.
The modern economy of Anglesey relies chiefly on agriculture, energy production, and coastal tourism. The county is also recognized as a key heartland for the Welsh language, with over half of its population recorded as Welsh speakers.
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