Anglesey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isle of Anglesey
Ynys Môn (Welsh)
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County
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Anglesey (county) shown within Wales
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| Sovereign state | United Kingdom | ||
| Country | Wales | ||
| Preserved county | Gwynedd | ||
| Incorporated | 1 April 1974 | ||
| Unitary authority | 1 April 1996 | ||
| Administrative HQ | Llangefni | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Principal council | ||
| • Body | Isle of Anglesey County Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 275 sq mi (712 km2) | ||
| Area rank | 9th | ||
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 69,049 | ||
| • Rank | 20th | ||
| • Density | 250/sq mi (97/km2) | ||
| Welsh language (2021) | |||
| • Speakers | 55.8% | ||
| • Rank | 2nd | ||
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | GB-AGY | ||
| GSS code | W06000001 | ||
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Anglesey, or Ynys Môn in Welsh, is a beautiful island off the northwest coast of Wales. It is also a county called the Isle of Anglesey. This county includes Holy Island and other smaller islands. Anglesey is surrounded by the Irish Sea, except for the Menai Strait which separates it from Gwynedd on the mainland.
Holyhead is the biggest town on Anglesey. The main administrative town is Llangefni. The Isle of Anglesey covers about 712 square kilometers and had a population of around 69,000 people in 2021.
Anglesey is the largest island in Wales and the seventh largest in Britain. Its northern and eastern coasts are rocky, while the southern and western parts have gentler shores. The middle of the island has rolling hills. Llyn Alaw is a large reservoir in the north, providing drinking water. Many parts of Anglesey's coastline are protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Since 2015, the entire county has been a UNESCO Global Geopark because of its special and diverse geology.
The island is rich in history, with many ancient sites like the Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber. Important Welsh rulers, like the House of Aberffraw, had their courts here long ago. Later, Beaumaris Castle was built, which is now a World Heritage Site. Two famous bridges, the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge, connect Anglesey to the mainland.
Contents
- What's in a Name? The Story of Anglesey's Names
- Anglesey Through Time: A Journey into History
- Exploring Anglesey: Geography and Nature
- Economy and Industry
- Ecology and Conservation
- Culture and Community
- The Welsh Language on Anglesey
- Geology: Anglesey's Rocky Story
- Amazing Places to Visit: Anglesey Landmarks
- Famous Faces: Notable People from Anglesey
- Learning on Anglesey: Schools
- Getting Around: Transport on Anglesey
- Sports and Fun: Leisure Activities on Anglesey
- See also
What's in a Name? The Story of Anglesey's Names
The name "Anglesey" might come from an old Viking language, called Old Norse. It could mean "Hook Island" or "Ǫngli's Island." Vikings used this name around the 10th century. Later, the Normans also adopted it.
The Welsh name for the island is Ynys Môn. The Romans called it Mona. Some people thought it meant "Island of the Cow" long ago. The name Môn is similar to the name for the Isle of Man. It might come from an old Celtic word meaning 'mountain'.
Anglesey also has some poetic names. These include Ynys Dywyll (Shady Isle) because of its old forests. It was also called Ynys y Cedairn (Isle of the Brave) for its royal courts. Another name is Môn Mam Cymru ("Môn, Mother of Wales"). This name shows how fertile the island's land was for farming.
Anglesey Through Time: A Journey into History
Ancient Beginnings: Prehistory on Anglesey
People first settled on Anglesey a very long time ago, after the last ice age. This was about 12,000 years ago. One of the oldest places where people lived is called Trwyn Du at Aberffraw. Archaeologists found tools and other items from around 7000 BC there.
Around 4000 BC, the first villages started to appear. People built long houses, and one of the earliest villages in Wales was at Llanfaethlu on Anglesey. The island also has many ancient burial mounds. A famous one is Bryn Celli Ddu, which means "Dark Grove Hill." This mound was first built around 3000 BC and changed over many years.
You can still see many large stone monuments, called megaliths, and standing stones, called menhirs, across the island. These show that people lived here for thousands of years. Some old stories even say that Anglesey was once connected to the mainland!
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From Bronze to Iron: Early Settlements
The Bronze Age started around 2200 BC. Many ancient sites on Anglesey were used for thousands of years. Some old enclosures became hillforts during the Iron Age. They were even used as roundhouses during the Roman period.
Castell Bryn Gwyn near Llanidan is an example. It was a Neolithic site that became a hillfort. The local Ordovices tribe used it until the Romans arrived around 78 AD.
During the Iron Age, the Celts built roundhouses. These were circular homes. You can see well-preserved examples on Holy Island. The Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles were used by ancient Celts. Some of these huts were still used for farming as late as the 6th century.
Roman Times and Welsh Kingdoms
Roman Occupation: Druids and Copper
Anglesey was historically known for its druids, who were important religious leaders. In 60 AD, a Roman general named Gaius Suetonius Paulinus attacked the island. He wanted to stop the power of the druids and destroyed their sacred places.
The Romans fully took over Anglesey in 78 AD. During their time, they mined a lot of copper on the island. You can still see Roman foundations at Caer Gybi, a fort in Holyhead. The road from Holyhead to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll was originally a Roman road.
Welsh Princes and Viking Raids
After the Romans left Britain in the 5th century, pirates from Ireland settled on Anglesey. A Welsh warlord named Cunedda and his family drove them out.
In the 9th century, King Rhodri Mawr unified Wales. His son, Anarawd ap Rhodri, founded the House of Aberffraw on Anglesey. This royal family ruled the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Aberffraw became an important royal court because the island was easy to defend.
Anglesey faced many invasions over the centuries. Vikings raided the island, and their influence can be seen in the name "Anglesey." Saxons and Normans also invaded. Finally, Edward I of England conquered Wales in the 13th century.
After Edward I's conquest, Beaumaris Castle was built on Anglesey. This castle helped the English king control the area. It was besieged by Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century. Today, it is a famous ruin and a popular place to visit.
Anglesey in Recent Centuries
Anglesey has always had strong connections with Ireland, especially Holyhead. Many families from both places had ties through marriage and trade.
During the First World War, Anglesey was important for watching German submarines in the Irish Sea. Airships were based at RAF Mona. In the Second World War, Anglesey welcomed children who were evacuated from cities like Liverpool and Manchester.
In 1971, a large factory that made aluminium opened on the island. This brought many jobs to the area.
How Anglesey is Governed
In 1974, Anglesey became a part of the larger Gwynedd county. However, in 1996, the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 made Anglesey a separate unitary authority. This means it has its own local council, the Isle of Anglesey County Council, which makes decisions for the island.
The council offices are in Llangefni, the main administrative town. Local elections are held to choose the councillors who represent the people of Anglesey.
Exploring Anglesey: Geography and Nature
Physical Features of the Island
Anglesey is a mostly flat island with some low hills. The highest points include Holyhead Mountain (220 meters) and Mynydd Bodafon (178 meters). The Menai Strait, a narrow channel about 250 meters wide at its smallest point, separates Anglesey from mainland Wales. The rest of the island is surrounded by the Irish Sea.
Anglesey is about 676 square kilometers, making it the 52nd largest island in Europe. It has a few natural lakes, mostly in the west, like Llyn Llywenan. There are also two large reservoirs, Llyn Alaw and Llyn Cefni, which supply drinking water.
The climate on Anglesey is mild and humid, thanks to the Gulf Stream. This makes it a good place for farming. Interestingly, Anglesey even has the northernmost olive grove in Europe!
Towns and Villages: Human Geography
The coastal areas of Anglesey are more populated than the middle of the island. Holyhead, on Holy Island, is the largest town with over 12,000 people in 2021. Other large coastal towns include Amlwch and Menai Bridge.
Llangefni is the largest town in the center of Anglesey and is the county's administrative hub.
Beaumaris is a town in the east, famous for Beaumaris Castle. It is also a popular place for yachting. The village of Newborough in the south has the site of Llys Rhosyr, an ancient court of Welsh princes.
Near Menai Bridge is the village with the longest name in Europe: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! Also nearby is Plas Newydd, a historic home. Amlwch in the northeast was once a busy copper mining town.
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Other towns and villages include Cemaes, Pentraeth, Gaerwen, Dwyran, Bodedern, Malltraeth, and Rhosneigr.
The Anglesey Coastal Path
The coastline of Anglesey is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has many sandy beaches, especially along the east and west coasts. The north coast features dramatic cliffs and small bays.
The Anglesey Coastal Path is a walking route that goes all around the island. It is 124 miles long and passes through 20 towns and villages. The path starts at St Cybi's Church, Holyhead.
Economy and Industry
Tourism is a very important part of Anglesey's economy. Many visitors come to enjoy the beautiful coast and historic sites. Agriculture is also a key industry, with local farms producing a lot of dairy products.
Major industries are mainly found in Holyhead and the Amlwch area. Holyhead used to have a large aluminium factory. The Wylfa Nuclear Power Station also operated on the island for many years, with its reactors producing power from 1971 until 2015.
Anglesey has three wind farms on land. There are also plans to develop more green energy projects, like tidal-flow turbines. This is part of the "Anglesey Energy Island" project.
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force base on the island. It is home to the RAF Fast Jet Training School and search and rescue helicopters. This base provides jobs for about 500 civilians.
Smaller industries are located in business parks in towns like Llangefni and Gaerwen. Anglesey is also a major link between Britain and Ireland. Ferries from Holyhead sail to Dublin, carrying many passengers each year.
The Anglesey Sea Zoo is a popular attraction. It showcases local marine wildlife, from lobsters to congers. The zoo also breeds lobsters and oysters. Nearby, sea salt is produced from local seawater.
Ecology and Conservation
Much of Anglesey is used for farming cattle and sheep. However, the island also has important wetlands and lakes. These areas are protected and are home to many different bird species. For example, the Malltraeth Marshes are known for their birdlife.
The cliffs at South Stack near Holyhead are nesting sites for many seabirds. These include puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. You can also spot choughs and peregrine falcons there. Anglesey is also home to several types of terns.
Anglesey is one of the few places in the UK where you can find red squirrels. They live in colonies at Pentraeth and Newborough.
Almost the entire coastline of Anglesey is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This protects the beautiful coastal landscape and its habitats. The AONB covers about a third of the island.
Many of Anglesey's natural areas have extra protection. These include Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These areas protect various wildlife, such as harbour porpoises and marsh fritillary butterflies.
The AONB also includes three sections of undeveloped coastline called Heritage Coast. These areas are popular for activities like sailing, cycling, and walking.
Culture and Community
Anglesey has hosted the National Eisteddfod several times, most recently in 2017. This is a major Welsh festival of music, literature, and performance.
The island is part of the International Island Games Association. Anglesey's team, known as Ynys Môn, has won medals in sports like gymnastics and sailing.
The annual Anglesey Show takes place every August. Farmers from all over the country compete in livestock contests. Another event is Gottwood, an electronic music and arts festival held each summer.
Môn FM is a local community radio station that broadcasts across the island. It helps keep residents informed and entertained.
In 2017, parts of the Netflix TV series Free Rein were filmed on Anglesey. Locations included Newborough Warren and Beaumaris Pier. In 2018, the BBC aired a series called Anglesey: Island Lives, which showed the lives of different people on the island.
The Welsh Language on Anglesey
Anglesey is a strong supporter of the Welsh language. According to the 2021 census, it had the second-highest percentage of Welsh speakers in Wales, at 55.8%.
While the percentage has changed over the years, Welsh is still widely spoken. It is the main language in some areas, especially in the center of the island around Llangefni and parts of the south coast.
The island's secondary schools also play a big role in keeping the language alive. Many students come from Welsh-speaking homes and learn through the medium of Welsh.
Geology: Anglesey's Rocky Story
The geology of Anglesey is very interesting and complex. It is a popular place for students to study rocks and landforms. The island sits on very old Precambrian rocks. These ancient rocks can be seen in different areas, including Holyhead and Menai Bridge.
Anglesey has many different types of rocks, including schists, phyllites, and granite. You can also find Carboniferous Limestone and Coal Measures. Parys Mountain is famous for its rhyolite rocks, where copper was once mined.
Because of its amazing geological heritage, Anglesey became a member of the European Geoparks Network in 2009. In 2010, it joined the Global Geoparks Network. Since 2015, it has been a UNESCO Global Geopark. This means its unique geology is recognized and protected worldwide.
Amazing Places to Visit: Anglesey Landmarks
Anglesey has many exciting places to explore:
- Anglesey Motor Racing Circuit – a fun place for racing events.
- Anglesey Sea Zoo – discover local marine life near Dwyran.
- Beautiful bays and beaches – like Benllech, Cemlyn, Red Wharf, and Rhosneigr.
- Beaumaris Castle and Gaol – explore a historic castle and old prison.
- Elin's Tower (Twr Elin) – an RSPB reserve and the lighthouse at South Stack near Holyhead.
- Llanfairpwllgwyngyll – visit the village with the longest name in Europe!
- Malltraeth – a great spot for bird watching.
- Moelfre – a charming fishing village.
- Parys Mountain – see the ancient copper mines.
- Penmon – visit the historic priory and dovecote.
- Skerries Lighthouse – a lighthouse off the north coast.
- St Cybi's Church – a historic church in Holyhead.
- Stone Science Museum – a private museum with fossils near Pentraeth.
- Swtan longhouse and museum – a traditional Welsh longhouse.
- Working windmill – see a historic windmill at Llanddeusant.
- Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island) – a beautiful tidal island.
Famous Faces: Notable People from Anglesey
Many interesting people have connections to Anglesey:
Born in Anglesey
- Tony Adams – actor (1940)
- Billy Butler – radio personality (Amlwch, 1942)
- Grace Coddington – creative director for US Vogue (1941)
- Dawn French – actress, writer, comedian (Holyhead, 1957)
- Hugh Griffith – Oscar-winning actor (Marianglas, 1912)
- Aled Jones – singer and television presenter (Llandegfan, 1970)
- William Jones – mathematician (Llanfihangel Tre'r Beirdd, 1675)
- Julian Lewis Jones – actor (1968)
- Owen Tudor – grandfather of Henry Tudor, who became King of England (around 1400)
- Kyffin Williams – famous landscape painter (Llangefni, 1918)
- Andy Whitfield – actor (Amlwch, 1971)
Lived in Anglesey
- Taron Egerton – actor, star of Rocketman (raised on Anglesey from age 3 to 12)
- Ren Gill – musician, known as Ren (raised in Dwyran)
- Wayne Hennessey – footballer, goalkeeper for the Wales national football team (born Bangor, 1987)
- Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister – heavy metal musician, front man of Motörhead (Stoke-on-Trent, 1945)
- George North – Wales rugby union international (family moved to Anglesey in his early childhood)
- William, Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales lived here from 2010 to 2013.
Learning on Anglesey: Schools
Anglesey has five secondary schools:
- Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge
- Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Llangefni
- Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch
- Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern, Bodedern
- Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, Holyhead
Getting Around: Transport on Anglesey
Anglesey is connected to the mainland by two important bridges. The Britannia Bridge carries the A55 expressway. The Menai Suspension Bridge carries the A5 trunk road. There are also main roads that circle the island.
The North Wales Coast Line railway crosses the Britannia Bridge to Anglesey. There are six railway stations on the island, including Holyhead and Llanfairpwll. Trains connect Anglesey to cities like London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly, and Cardiff Central.
Anglesey Airport used to have flights to Cardiff Airport until 2020. Now, travel between Cardiff and Anglesey takes over four hours by road or rail.
The ferry port of Holyhead is very busy, handling over two million passengers each year. Stena Line and Irish Ferries sail from Holyhead to Dublin, providing a key link between Wales and Ireland.
Sports and Fun: Leisure Activities on Anglesey
Anglesey has its own team, Ynys Môn, that competes in the Island Games. They have won medals in sports like gymnastics and sailing.
Historically, some early forms of football were played on Anglesey. These games were very rough and had few rules. Modern football arrived in the 1870s. An Anglesey League was formed in 1895–96. The Ynys Môn football team won a gold medal in the 1999 Island Games. In 2019, Anglesey hosted the 2019 Inter Games Football Tournament, where the men's team won gold.
Llangefni RFC is the island's top rugby union team.
Every September, the Anglesey Festival of Running takes place. It includes a marathon, half-marathon, and shorter races.
The Anglesey Circuit (Welsh: Trac Môn) is a racing track that opened in 1997. It hosts many motorsport events throughout the year.
Cricket clubs formed on Anglesey in the late 1800s. Beaumaris Cricket Club was established in 1858.
The Royal Anglesey Yacht Club hosts the annual Menai Strait Regatta, a popular sailing event.
The Menai Strait is also a venue for open-water swimming contests. There is a swimming pool at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre in Llangefni.
See also
In Spanish: Anglesey para niños
- Prehistoric Wales
- Roman conquest of Anglesey
- List of scheduled monuments in Anglesey
- List of places in Anglesey
- List of Anglesey towns by population
- List of lord lieutenants of Anglesey
- List of custos rotulorums of Anglesey
- List of sheriffs of Anglesey
- Isle of Anglesey County Council
- Ynys Môn (UK Parliament constituency)
- Ynys Môn (Assembly constituency)
- List of islands of Wales – including those around Anglesey
- The Royal Navy's four ships named HMS Anglesea
- HMS Anglesey (P277)
