Things to do while you are staying at Spindrift without getting in the car.
1. The main Cemaes Bay beach is easy walking distance, as is the smaller beach, you can get from the nearer smaller beach to the main beach by crossing a shallow stream at low tide, or go round via Cemaes Bay at high tide. The smaller beach is sand and shingle, with plenty of rock pools to explore, while the main beach is wide, and sandy, perfect for playing on the beach, swimming, sandcastles and more. The Harbour wall is great for crabbing, or simply watching the boats. You can get to the nearest beach at low tide by going down the steps at Angorfa, (be careful, they are covered in seaweed, so slippy), and at high tide just take the steep track to the left at the end of the drive, or go down by the road.
2. Follow the coastal path in either direction from Spindrift, the whole loop around Anglesey is 124 miles, so you can walk as far as you wish! The coastal path in both directions has lots to see, and great views. On the way, you might like to call in on…..
3. The Island off Porth y Ogof, in the next bay West, 10 minutes walk away. We call it Kirrin Island, (from Enid Blyton) as it has a secret cave, and can only be visited at low tide. It is very easy to get stuck on the island, as the tide comes in quickly. I suggest an adult goes into the cave with any children, as there is a difficult climb at the end to get onto the island, but the bright light of sky above will be too tempting for adventurers if left alone! People, let alone children, might find that once up, it is difficult to get down, so please be careful.
4. Follow the coastal path East from Cemaes Bay over the headland, and get to the pebbly White Lady beach, with it’s huge rock of quartzite, and iron ore rich rocks, there is plenty of exploring to do.
5. Visit Lanbedrig church, (about a 2 mile walk, depending on the tide, can cut across the beach at low tide)and scramble down the cliffs to St Patrick’s Cave. Fine when dry, but the cave is looking a bit unstable, so don’t go inside. Adults might be interested in the history of St Patrick being shipwrecked on Middle Mouse, and swimming ashore, while the younger adventurers will plan living in a cave above the sea, with a fresh water spring outside.
6.Watch for dolphins or porpoises in the sea. We have seen them from the conservatory in Spindrift. Often found off Llanbedrig point, but sometimes if you are lucky, they come in nearer. We have also seen seals off White Lady beach.
7. Visit the brick works at Porth Wen (about an 8 mile walk). Again very exciting for your and adventurers alike, but beware of sharp drops, and crumbling brickwork. Above the buildings, on the hillside, there are still a few remains of the quarry, where the clay was dug, and then transported to the works and kilns, as well as some bricks.
8.Visit the Skerries by boat (Stingray charter boat trips leave from the Harbour) There are seals to be seen there, and dolphins if you are lucky. Seals can also be seen fishing at Harry Furlough’s.
9. Rocks. Find as many different rocks as you can. The geology of this area is simply amazing. There are many old quarries and limekilns, round the headland to the East. Near the first one, best again at low tide, as at high tide it fills up, there is another exciting cave to explore, that goes out to sea… See local Geology book on bookshelf.
10. For people who love birds, there are Fulmers on the cliffs past the Church, Terns at Cemlyn, Turnstones and Oyster catchers often on the beach at Cemaes. The Sandwich terns at Cemlyn Bay are the only breeding colony in Wales. It is quite a long walk, probably around 8 miles, but you can drive the Cemlyn Bay instead.
11.Fish off the rocks outside the conservatory, or sit in the conservatory, with a book, and watch while the fishermen do their thing…..
12. Visit the lookout on Wylfa head… and the old Watch Tower at Llanlleiana Head.
13. Go to the Wylfa Visitors centre. It is a rainy day visit, budding scientists will be interested. There are also red squirrels in the Nature trail woods near the centre…
14. The village of Cemaes Bay is within 10 minutes walk, there is a footpath into the village from the bottom of the road, which passes by a recreation ground, with swings, slides, and an amazing zip wire. Once in the village there are plenty of excellent teas shops and cafes, as well as a small Visitor centre, and an excellent Village Venture shop, with local crafts, secondhand books and more.
15. Tracking the shipping going passed our windows. you will be amazed at the information available on-line about the ships going passed. You will see tankers, cargo ships loaded with containers, fishing boats, Cruise ships, Tall ships if you are lucky. Even a ship carrying Airbus parts to Toulouse goes by every week. You can track them on Marine Tracking.
16. There are lots more things to do, including a visit to Cemaes Bay’s own winery, gardens, river footpaths, many more beaches and bays to explore, and much more, there are plenty of leaflets and Guide books at the house for more ideas, but please do comment about some of your favourite discoveries and adventures on the Comments section on our website, so we can expand this list! Thank you.
Things to do with a car on Anglesey.
- Parys Mountain. I believe parts of Stars Wars were filmed here, it looks out of this world, with it’s bleak Martian landscape, in reality, an old copper mine, now with lots of walking trails. Lovely colours in the rocks. Anglesey is rich with small veins of minerals. You will find bit od rocks about Spindrift that we have found. On Parys Mountain, you can find copper, zinc, sulphur (yes, yellow and smelly) fools gold, very easily if you know what you are looking for. Go to Parys Mountain and you can arrange for a special tour of the underground mine. (I believe there is enough copper in this mountain to supply the UK for 5 years.)
2. Rhosneiger. Go when there is a strong South Westerly wind. Some of the best wave jumping windsurfers practice here. They jump as high as a house, and then “fly” the windsurfer through amazing tricks.
3. Amlwch heritage centre. A great old port, with a newly refurbished visitor centre explaining it’s busy industrial past.
4.Red Wharf Bay. An a wet day there is a pub on the beach (The Old Boat House) that sells hot chocolate and brandy to warm you up! For food, the Ship Inn was amazing, especially if you like sea food the last time we went. On Sunny days, it is an amazing beach.
5.Newborough Warren. The Pilots cottages ( LLanddwyn Island, don’t get cut off) is one of the most romantic places on earth. Will and Kate are known to love this spot 🙂
6.Holyhead Mountain. Best climbed at dusk, to watch the sun setting over the sea.
7.Beaumaris Castle. Well worth a visit, particularly on a rainy day.
8. South Stack Lighthouse. Parts of the coastal path run right along the cliff tops. If you go down to the lighthouse, can you tell me how many steps there are? We have counted, but I just keep forgetting. At the right time of year, you will see Puffins here.
9.Trearrddur Bay – very picturesque.
10.Sea Zoo at Menai Bridge. Wet day out. Personally I always love a visit to a Sea Zoo. The shark tank is my favourite.
11.Cemlyn Bay Nature reserve. Can you spot the difference between an Arctic tern and a Sandwich tern… on a windy day….
12. Church Bay. See Noahs Ark in the distance (my name for a boat perched in a field) South of Porth Trwyn. There are lovely beaches down that side of Anglesey, and a trip to the Lobster Pot restaurant is a must.
13. A trip to Llynnon Mill. It is the only working mill in Wales, and you can buy flour here made by the mill. They also have a couple of Round houses, and so both offer a fun educational visit for Children.
Well, that barely scratches the surface, there are books in Spindrift which will give you more ideas if you need them. Some of these suggestions need more than a day to explore, depending on what you enjoy. The whole of Anglesey now has a coastal path running round it. I believe it is about 124 miles long, if you finish where you started! If you discover a part of Anglesey that I have missed, please let me know, this is a project under continual development.
