About Holyhead
Holyhead (Caergybi) is located about 19 miles NW of Britannia Bridge at the end of the A55 dual carriageway. It is probably Anglesey’s largest town and offers the station for the main rail line to London and the ferry service to Ireland.
It is a lively and busy place with a character all of its own. The small mountain to the west of Holyhead was the site of a prehistoric hill fort. The Welsh name for Holyhead is Caergybi, “The fortress of Cybi”. Cybi was a saint who lived in the 6th century.
The town is sited on the North east corner of Holy island with our home in the town being at the end of Market Street/Stanley Street with limited parking availability directly outside.
Things to see & do
As the largest town in Anglesey, Holyhead has plenty to see and do – with a lively town centre, sporting leisure facilities, shops, pubs and much more.
With excellent coastal spots to explore, Holyhead offers great days out alone or with the family. You can visit the craggy South Stack Lighthouse with its picturesque cliffs and famous walkway, or spend you day in the expanses of the Penrhos National Park with its attractive beaches, or visit the protected RSBP wildlife reserve.
If you’re looking to travel further afield, Stena Line also runs a major ferry service from Holyhead, giving you a base to travel around Britain, Ireland and Holland. The main railway line to London starts at Holyhead.
Shops & amenities
As the largest town in Anglesey, there are plenty of supermarkets and shops in Holyhead – from Tesco, Morrisons and Asda, to Argos, to small independent shops dotted around the town. There are plenty of places to eat, from the sumptuous Catch 22 restaurant at nearby Valley and the Café to the classic Harbourfront Bistro.
Holyhead has a sports leisure centre, golf club and dedicated fitness centre, as well as the Holyhead Sailing Club for those who want to explore the coast.
There is also a local hospital and several doctors’ surgeries in Holyhead.
Transport links
Holyhead serves as a crucial transport junction, particularly due to its position as a major ferry port connecting Wales to Ireland. View some of the significant transport links below:
- Car & Road: The A55 expressway runs directly to Holyhead, forming part of the Euroroute E22. This dual carriageway connects the town to the mainland and provides a swift route to towns such as Bangor (30 minutes), Llandudno (50 minutes), and Chester (1 hour 40 minutes). The road network on Anglesey itself includes the A5 which crosses the island.
- Bus: Local bus services operate throughout Holyhead and connect to surrounding areas across Anglesey. Routes run to Bangor, Llangefni, and other key locations on the island, with services typically operating hourly during weekdays.
- Train: Holyhead railway station sits at the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line. Direct trains run to destinations including Bangor (30 minutes), Chester (1 hour 50 minutes), Crewe (2 hours 30 minutes), and London Euston (3 hours 40 minutes). The station adjoins the ferry terminal, allowing straightforward connections for onward travel.
- Cycling & Walking: Holyhead and Anglesey offer numerous cycling routes, including parts of the National Cycle Network Route 8 (Lôn Las Cymru) which runs through the area. The coastal paths provide scenic walking opportunities, with the Anglesey Coastal Path circling the entire island.
- Ferry: The port of Holyhead provides regular ferry services to Dublin, operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line. Crossings typically take between 2-3 hours for fast ferries and 3-4 hours for conventional ferries, with multiple sailings daily.
- Nearest Airport: The closest airports are Liverpool John Lennon Airport (2 hours 15 minutes by car) and Manchester Airport (2 hours 30 minutes by car), both offering domestic and international flights.
Holyhead property
Holyhead presents a varied selection of property types, from Victorian terraced houses near the town centre to more modern detached homes in newer developments. Many properties date from the mid-20th century, with a substantial number of post-war builds reflecting the town’s growth during that period. Stone-built cottages, particularly in older parts of the town and surrounding villages, showcase traditional Welsh architectural elements, featuring thick walls and compact designs.
The most sought-after properties can be found along the coastal areas, particularly those with sea views. Newry Beach and Trearddur Bay, though the latter sits just outside Holyhead proper, contain larger detached homes that command premium prices. The Marina development offers contemporary waterfront apartments and houses that appeal to those seeking modern living spaces with nautical views.
Developments: Several projects have contributed to the regeneration of Holyhead in recent years. The Marina development has transformed the waterfront area, while the Penrhos Coastal Park development plans aim to create new housing alongside leisure facilities. The town centre has also seen investment through various heritage initiatives focused on preserving and upgrading historic buildings.
Property prices: Overall average house price in Holyhead stands at approximately £175K over the last year. Detached properties sell for around £260K, semi-detached houses for £198K, and terraced properties for £124K. Prices in Holyhead remain more affordable compared to UK averages, offering good value for first-time buyers and investors. That said, skilled Holyhead estate agents can lead you to sell your home for considerably more. Find out more about local prices here.
Useful to Know
Local people speak both Welsh and English and readily slip from one to the other. Our Holyhead home has a great team of people – ready willing and able to help you move from this location we tend to cover the West side of the island including Trearddur Bay and Valley and surrounding villages.
Holyhead is also a hub of sea travel, offering ferry journeys across the Irish Sea which can reach Dublin in just under 2 hours. It is a great place to live if you’re interested in travel, and especially if you’re keen to visit friends and relatives in the destinations served by the Stena Line ferrys.
