North Wales 2023: Anglesey
After our wet day in Llanwrst we were happy to get up to sun the next morning and decided to cross the Menai Strait to the island of Anglesey. Our first port of call was Plas Newydd (New House), family home of the Marquess of Anglesey and now a National Trust property. We just visited the gardens, because there were other sights we wanted to see, and very lovely they were too, especially the Italianate Terrace. There was even a 4000 year old neolithic burial chamber in the grounds.
After lunch we set off for somewhere completely different. Ever since first reading about it some years ago on Eunice’s blog I have wanted to visit Parys Mountain, otherwise known as Copper Kingdom, where metals have been mined since the Bronze Age. In the 18th century it was the largest copper mine in the world and it is amazing to think that today’s surreal landscape was shaped by miners using nothing more than picks, shovels and gunpowder. We followed the trail around the edge of the site. The colours were stunning.
Finally, before crossing back to the mainland, we took a short walk out to Point Lynas Lighthouse. A pilot station was established here in 1726 to guide ships heading for Liverpool, with the current lighthouse dating to 1835.
The following day was our last in Wales and we headed for Caernarfon. However, Christmas will come before that post – wishing a good one to all of you who celebrate.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Although ive been to Anglesey a few years ago now, didn’t visit any of these places. Definitely thoughts if / when we get back there.
Have a great Christmas. Xx
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There’s certainly a lot of choice! Hope you have a lovely Christmas too.
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Hi Anabel – two amazing places … I’d love to see Copper Mountain, but also relax in the Marquess’ garden … you were lucky to have such a lovely day. Excellent post – thank you … cheers and have a very peaceful and blessed Christmas – Hilary
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Thanks Hilary, and the same to you.
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Such a gorgeous setting! I could definitely live in Plas Newydd (well, a little teeny tiny corner of it) with that view of the water and the bridge in the distance.
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I’m sure they could find you a wee room in the attic somewhere!
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Wow! Those are some of the most gorgeous scenes I’ve ever seen on your blog. (Here’s where I boast of my Welsh ancestry 😂).
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If you have Welsh ancestry you better learn how to pronounce all those consonants then😉!
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We had a week on Anglesey and only went to one of the three place you saw – Plas Newydd. For a small island there’s so much to see and do. Happy Christmas to you both.
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There is, I would definitely like to go back. Happy Christmas!
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A day of very interesting contrasts.
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Yes, it was – and still so many other places to visit.
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Thanks for taking me along on your travels. It looks like a fascinating place full of rugged charm.
Merry Christmas!
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Thanks Laura! Happy Christmas to you and your menfolk. I don’t suppose any of them are really boys now!
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Three of them are adults and the “baby” is 16 and just got his driver’s license. It’s definitely a different season of parenting.
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I’m so enjoying your tour of North Wales.
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Oh good! I’m pleased to hear it.
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Great to visit these wonderful places and see them through your lens. Pleased that Wales showed its good side to you and stopped the rain and brought out the sun!There are many more lovely places to visit on Anglesey you’ll have to return for another visit! Best wishes for a very happy Christmas.
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Yes, I think we shall have to do that! So much more to see. Apart from that one wet day we had good weather in Wales. Happy Christmas to you and yours.
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Parys mountain is quite good for an industrial waste dump. Spectacular colours on a good day, which certainly appealed to my inner Chemist when we visited.
If you get down that way again Beaumaris (and its castle) and Newborough Beach are worth visiting.
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We went to Beaumaris on our only other visit to Anglesey which was in the 1980s! I don’t remember much about it, but suspect it won’t have changed much – though judging by the castles we did visit the presentation has probably improved a lot.
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We’re spending a week on Anglesey next year. Looks like we’re in for a good time.
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I think you are! I could happily spend a week there, loads more things to do.
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I must get to Angelsey. It has been a long time since I was there and you make it look great.
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It was great. We had been once before, very briefly, about 40 years ago so didn’t really know it at all. It’s certainly somewhere I can imagine returning to spend more time in.
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I think it may be that long since I was there!
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A lovely virtual day out in Anglesey – the manmade landscape of the Copper Kingdom looks intriguing!
Have a lovely Christmas Anabel 🎄🎄
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It was intriguing, reminded me very much of some of the North American Badlands we have visited – similar minerals I guess, but not man-made.
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Thanks for the virtual tour. I particularly enjoyed the photos from the Parys Mountain, really looked stunning and I think that Pierre & I would have gone a bit crazy with pictures in that place!
A very Merry Christmas to you and John…(Suzanne)
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There were a lot more Parys Mountain photos that didn’t make the cut! It was a fascinating place. I hope you and Pierre have a lovely Christmas.
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The north coastline of Anglesey is beautiful, with lots of mining history. I can’t remember why I did not take a photograph of that fine lighthouse. Wishing you both a lovely Christmas.
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And the same to you and your family, Tony. Happy Hiking in 2026!
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Lovely photos of Plas Newydd gardens, especially the Italianate terraces. You missed a treat not going in the house, Rex Whistler’s mural is definitely worth seeing – I would revisit the house just for that. It takes up a full wall, 58ft long and about 12ft high and if you walk slowly along parallel to it the perspective changes, it’s amazing. Nice to see the photos of Parys Mountain too, the Great Open Cast one is my favourite – you can actually walk down in the bottom of there. It looks like the heather was a bit past it’s best though – in full bloom in August it really adds to the stunning colours of the mountain.
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I’m sure you’re right – but we were being very picky because we only had that one day. Also, after the previous day’s rain we wanted to make the most of the sunshine outdoors. I think someday we Weill definitely spend more time on Anglesey. Thanks for introducing me to Parys Mountain!
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