PLACES TO VISIT - MENAI BRIDGE (PORTHAETHWY)
The town of Menai Bridge is situated on the banks of the Menai Strait, originally becoming a settlement here due to it being the narrowest point to cross the Menai Strait for farmers exporting their livestock across the Menai Strait.
Earliest records show that there have been ferries crossing at this point since around 1292. Menai Bridge is another Anglesey town with strong connections to the sea.
The town of Menai Bridge has many places to stay and is an ideal base for a holiday on Anglesey, it also benefits from many beautiful walks around its coast.
RIBRIDE ADVENTURE TRIPS
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous during your visit to Anglesey, then why not visit RibRide for an adventure boat ride.
They have trips between our two famous bridges, or an even longer trip down the Menai Straits towards and around the beautiful Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol) where you can see a huge colony of grey seals and even some puffins!
During the early summer season of 2017 a pod of friendly Dolphins came to play around this area. For more information please contact RibRide on 0333 1234 303
ANGLESEY HALF MARATHON
The Anglesey half marathon (Ras Mon) is now a firmly established event around March every year, attracting around 1500 road runners.
The start is on the Menai Suspension bridge and goes to Beaumaris and finishes back in Menai Bridge.
This is the only time during the year when the Menai Suspension Bridge is closed completely to traffic and you can walk across the whole of the bridge.
Menai Strait Raft Race
The Menai Strait raft race is another regular annual event and started in 1986. This fantastic race raises lots of money for local charities.
Starting from the old slate port of Y Felinheli, rafts travel down the Menai Strait, past the historic Plas Newydd towards Menai Bridge through the Swellies under the magnificent Britannia Bridge and then under Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge , finishing at the slipway next to the bowling green.
A fantastic day for all involved raising money for local charity and good causes.
CHURCH ISLAND (YNYS TYSILIO)
Church Island or Ynys Tysilio in Menai Bridge is the home to another famous Anglesey Saint, St. Tysilio. His beautiful tiny church dates back to around 630AD.
A must to see if visiting Menai Bridge, this beautiful tiny church is still used for weddings today! There are spectacular views of the Menai Strait, the two bridges, Menai Suspension bridge and the Britannia bridge that cross on to Anglesey.
COED CYRNOL
Coed Cyrnol (Colonel’s woodland) was originally acquired by the Earl of Uxbridge in 1814, he later became the Marquess of Anglesey, and created this beautiful woodland.
As time passed by, this 41 acre woodland became known as Coed Cyrnol, (Colonel’s woodland) after the Colonel Sandys who lived nearby in the early 1900s.
The Marquess of Anglesey and his family (Plas Newydd) sold the land to Menai Bridge district council and in 1951 it was formerly opened as a public space. It is now a local nature reserve and a strong hold for the Anglesey Red Squirell.
This beautiful woodland now mainly of deciduous trees, although not always that way, is on a sloping section of land, which prominently overlooks the section of the Menai Strait heading down towards Plas Newydd.
37 Roman coins from the 3rd century AD were discovered here, from this clear strategic viewpoint a Roman anchor was found in the area just under the Britannia Bridge by a local diver. Also found some pottery and an Early Bronze Age stone battle axe.
Coed Cyrnol has several paths that lead down to the beautiful church island and the stunning Belgian Promenade built by Belgian refugees as a thank you to the people of Menai Bridge and Llandegfan for their hospitality during the war.
Boat Launching in Menai Bridge
Menai Bridge has probably one of the best boat launching slipways on Anglesey.
The slipway at Porth Y Wrach is in excellent condition and can be used virtually 24/7. Sometimes parking can be a bit tight in peak season.
On spring tide the end of the slipway can drop of a bit on the sharp side. This launch location gives great access to The Swillies and in the other direction to Beaumaris and Puffin Island.
Official information on launching your powered watercraft from Anglesey County Council is here.
