Anglesey

Anglesey, or Ynys Môn in Welsh, is an island and county in north-west Wales situated in the Irish Sea to the west of the mainland. It is the largest island of Wales and covers roughly 714 square kilometers. The landscape includes rugged coastlines, beaches, marshes, and farmland, with the interior rising toward the uplands.

The island is separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait and is connected by two major bridges: the Menai Suspension Bridge, opened in 1826, and the Britannia Bridge, which carries rail and road traffic. Holyhead, on the western side of the island, is a major ferry port with regular services to Dublin, while Llangefni is the administrative county town and Beaumaris is a well-preserved historic town on the east coast.

Administratively, Anglesey is a principal area and ceremonial county in Wales. It has a distinct cultural identity, with Welsh spoken by a significant portion of residents and a strong sense of local heritage. The island is a popular destination for tourism, boating, birdwatching, and hiking, supported by the Anglesey Coastal Path that circles the coastline and the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which protects large parts of the landscape.

Historically, Anglesey has rich prehistoric and medieval sites, including cairns and standing stones, as well as Beaumaris Castle, begun in the late 13th century as part of Edward I’s Welsh fortifications. Plas Newydd, a historic house on the Menai Strait, and other estates reflect the island’s landed heritage. The economy combines tourism, farming, fishing, and renewable energy developments.