‘Royal’ Anglesey: Where to Spot Wills and Kate in Wales
Llanddwyn island, Anglesey
An island sojourn in Anglesey: sand, sea and bracing iodine-filled breezes, with a twist. There are ‘royal’ connections on this Welsh island where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a home. Here are some of the best restaurants, beaches and other places to catch a glimpse of the royal couple…
Sir Fôn (or Anglesey, its English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands, it has that long town name (starts with Llanfairpwllgwyngyll), and has a long and venerable history of royal inhabitants.
This inside track for a great weekend break gives you the top places on Sir Fôn where you can experience Welsh hospitality at its best, and may even catch a glimpse of – or share the same restaurant with – Wills and Kate.
On a sunny, summer day, what can be better than to spend the day walking part of the Anglesey Coastal Path, and enjoying a beach picnic? The path can be accessed just a short distance from Anglesey cottages, and leads through fields, and along a craggy shoreline.
Inside tip: just a mile or so along the country lanes is the White Eagle pub, a dog-friendly restaurant with scrumptious locally sourced food. It’s often frequented by the royal couple, maybe in part because the locals leave them alone to eat in privacy.
Saint Gwenfaen’s well is near Rhoscolyn – the well water was traditionally known as cure for mental illness.
Inside tip: Rhoscolyn beach is just a mile or so away from the White Eagle – perhaps a good place to catch a certain well-known couple having a romantic stroll?
By the way, you’ll probably enjoy some luscious strawberries, local cheese or sparkling wine for that picnic, so make sure you stop in at Waitrose in Menai Bridge.
Inside tip: Kate has been known to push her trolley around the aisles.
The sleepy village of Aberffraw, on the island’s south-west coast, was an ancient royal court of the kings of Gwynedd until the late 12th century, and an important political centre. It has a pub, restaurant and beautiful dog-friendly sandy beaches – and a coastal walk to the church in the sea.
Inside tip: the south-west part of Anglesey is where the royal couple have their well-protected island home. Locals protect their privacy, and paparazzi are just as likely to be sent to an empty ruin as to anywhere near the real home. However, you may see a certain couple buzzing by on a red-and-white motorbike.
Further along the coast, Llys Rhosyr was one Llywelyn Fawr’s royal courts. He was Prince of Gwynedd in the 13th century. The road leads to Newborough forest (and the elusive red squirrels), then offer a beautiful walk to Llanddwyn island, where Saint Dwynwen the Welsh saint of lovers founded her church in the 6th century.
Inside tip: Llanddwyn is renowned for its romantic connotations, and where better than a quiet stroll for a newly-wed couple?
Blue-flag beaches, award-winning restaurants and bracing coastal walks make for a memorable weekend. Indeed, by combining Welsh royal history with possible sightings of today’s future monarch, Anglesey may indeed be your ultimate sovereign weekend.
Off to Wales? See all our cheap hotels in Wales.
About the author, Ffion Llwyd-Jones: I’m a Welsh-born writer, and I share my life and travels with Kiah, my beautiful and intelligent Border Collie/Lab. Like me, Kiah is fluent in Welsh, English, Canadian and American. My work (words and photographs) are in print and online in Britain, Canada, Europe, and the USA; Kiah’s paw prints are on beaches and parks everywhere.
Flickr images, with thanks: 1 2 3
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Heather loves Tywyn Beach Said,
December 21, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
A beautiful and humorous article. I know my Dad would be thrilled to meet Kate and Will – he’s a true monarchist. We live in Tywyn (Gwynedd) and were fortunate enough to meet Prince Charles when he came on one of his yearly visits.