Why Anglesey
Anglesey stands as Wales’ largest island, separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait. The island spans 278 square miles, creating a unique geographical space marked by its striking coastline and rolling interior landscapes.
The coastline defines much of island life, with numerous small ports and fishing villages scattered along its edges. Beaumaris, with its UNESCO World Heritage castle, exemplifies the historical significance of the island. Meanwhile, Holyhead serves as the main port, linking Wales with Ireland through vital sea routes. The landscape varies dramatically across the island, from the rugged cliffs at South Stack to the broad sandy beaches of Red Wharf Bay. This geographical variety has helped maintain distinct local identities in different parts of the island, each area keeping its own traditions and ways of life while adapting to contemporary times.
Today’s Anglesey presents a distinctive combination of Welsh heritage alongside many keen visitors and tourists. The island maintains strong Welsh language traditions, with nearly 60% of inhabitants speaking Welsh. Agricultural work continues to shape the area, alongside tourism and energy sectors. The presence of RAF Valley and the former Wylfa nuclear power station has brought new populations to the traditional farming towns.
Shopping And Amenities
Anglesey has plenty of essential shops and amenities as well as unique and interesting shops. Find boutiques, art galleries, jewellers, toy shops and a myriad of seaside stalls. Anglesey has all the major supermarkets you would expect – from Asda, Aldi and Lidl in Llangefni to Morrisons and Tesco in Holyhead. There is also an abundance of local retailers.
Anglesey boasts numerous sports facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, golf courses, and sports clubs, catering to a wide range of athletic interests. There are plenty of doctor’s surgeries across the island, including two small hospitals, with the main hospital for the area being just across the Britannia Bridge at Bangor (Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital).
Things To Do
The Isle of Anglesey has incredible sights, activities, and experiences. Its stunning coastline, charming rural villages, and ancient sites make it a wonderful place to live. You can explore the breathtaking Penmon Point lighthouse, take a boat ride to the iconic Puffin Island, visit the ancient burial chamber at Bryn Celli Ddu, and marvel at the South Stack Lighthouse. For outdoor fun, there are plenty of opportunities for surfing, sailing, and other water sports at Rhosneigr Beach. Here are 5 more interesting things to do at a glance:
- Explore Beaumaris Castle: Discover this medieval fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Walk the Anglesey Coastal Path: Enjoy stunning coastal scenery and diverse habitats along the path.
- Visit South Stack Lighthouse: Take in panoramic views from this iconic lighthouse perched on a clifftop.
- Discover Plas Newydd House and Gardens: Explore the elegant mansion and its beautiful grounds.
- Go birdwatching at South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve: Observe a rich variety of seabirds nesting on the cliffs.
Useful To Know
Anglesey is easily accessible. Menai Bridge and the Brittania Bridge connect Anglesey to the mainland. The A55 joins Chester and the main UK motorway network. Anglesey Airport has daily flights to Cardiff, where passengers can connect to various international destinations.
Anglesey also combines steady rental income and capital growth within its property market, making it an ideal location to invest. The island’s natural beauty, low crime rate, and community appeal attract residents and holidaymakers, ensuring reliable demand for homes and property value appreciation.
When you live on Anglesey you can experience and hear the Welsh language. It is an everyday living language of the island. Local people speak both Welsh & English and readily slip from one language to another. You can also hear modern Welsh on the television channel S4C and on Radio Cymru (FM92 – 96) plus the more recent local radio station Mon FM.
Anglesey Property Market
The Isle of Anglesey offers an intriguing range of property styles, from traditional Welsh cottages built with local stone to a number of mid-century homes. Along the picturesque coastline, you’ll find a slew of Victorian seaside houses (especially in Beaumaris and Menai Bridge). Inland villages typically contain traditional longhouses and converted farm buildings, while the larger towns such as Holyhead have a greater breadth of property styles.
The most sought-after homes (arguably) sit along the Menai Strait, particularly in Beaumaris and Menai Bridge, where period properties are greatly valued. On a similar note, coastal areas like Rhosneigr and Trearddur Bay feature notable seafront houses with enviable views. Moelfre and Benllech offer excellent sea-view properties, while inland locations like Llangefni provide more modest family homes.
Properties in Anglesey averaged around £256K over the last year. Detached properties averaged £339K, while semi-detached homes sold for around £222K, and terraced properties usually went for less at £163K. Coastal properties, particularly those with sea views, often command higher prices, with some reaching beyond 500K. Experienced Anglesey letting agents can help you find the perfect property to invest in, while our Anglesey estate agents can help you locate your next family home.
Find out more about house prices in Anglesey here.
Jobs & Employment
The Isle of Anglesey offers a workplace landscape shaped by its island geography and Welsh cultural heritage – from its bustling east coast to attractive seaside towns in the west. Major sectors include tourism, agriculture, energy production, and public administration, with employers such as Anglesey County Council a Wylfa Power Station playing important roles in the local economy.
The job market has seen growth in renewable energy, particularly with offshore wind projects and proposals for tidal power facilities. The Anglesey Enterprise Zone focuses on low-carbon energy developments, while Anglesey’s ports maintain maritime employment opportunities. Several industrial parks across the island house smaller manufacturing firms.
Liverpool, and other North Wales towns influence employment patterns, with many islanders travelling to mainland locations for work. Future projections look promising with planned green energy investments expected to bring technical roles and construction positions, though seasonal fluctuations remain a challenge in certain sectors.
Cysylltiadau Trafnidiaeth
The Isle of Anglesey presents several travel options for locals and visitors…
- Car & Road: The A55 serves as the main route onto Anglesey via the two Menai bridges. This dual carriageway crosses the island and leads to Holyhead port. Driving from Anglesey to Bangor takes about 15 minutes, Chester approximately 90 minutes, and Liverpool roughly two hours. The A5 provides an alternative route alongside the A55, while the A4080 forms a scenic loop around southern Anglesey.
- Bus: Regular bus services operate throughout Anglesey, with routes connecting the major towns including Holyhead, Llangefni, and Amlwch. The main bus operator, Arriva, runs services between Holyhead and Bangor every 30 minutes during peak times. Several smaller local companies offer routes to more rural parts of the island.
- Train: The North Wales Coast Line runs across Anglesey with stations at Holyhead, Valley, Rhosneigr, Ty Croes, and Bodorgan. Trains from Holyhead reach Bangor in about 30 minutes, Chester in approximately 2 hours, and London Euston in roughly 3.5 hours. Holyhead station also serves as a gateway for Irish Ferries and Stena Line services to Dublin.
- Cycling and Walking: The Anglesey Coastal Path extends for 125 miles around the island’s perimeter, making it excellent for walkers. National Cycle Route 5 and 8 cross the island, providing well-maintained paths for cyclists. The island’s relatively flat terrain and quiet country lanes make it popular for outdoor pursuits.
- Airport: The nearest major airport is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, about 90 miles from Anglesey, while Manchester Airport lies approximately 120 miles away. RAF Valley on Anglesey previously operated limited passenger flights to Cardiff.
For more information about the transport options in Anglesey, take a look here.
