Move near the Anglesey Coast Path

Loved for its close-knit community and Blue Flag status beaches, the Isle of Anglesey offers the outdoors lifestyle and a ‘get-away-from-it-all’ vibe – all with the Anglesey Coast Path right on its doorstep.

The Isle of Anglesey has the beauty of the north Wales coastline yet very much holds its own identity. Separated from the mainland via the Menai Strait, this sparsely populated island brings a distinct ‘get-away-from-it-all’ vibe.

It’s why both holidaymakers and home buyers seeking a better work-life balance have found it so appealing in recent years. It’s Britain’s fifth-largest island but, largely speaking, you can travel anywhere on the island within half an hour.

Anglesey’s history spans everything from Neolithic tombs – still present on its east coast – to Edward the First’s 14^th-century Beaumaris Castle which, although never fully completed, has been hailed one of Britain’s greatest fortresses. In the last few centuries, Anglesey’s identity has also been shaped by boatbuilding for the herring industry and – thanks to the construction of railway links between Chester and Holyhead in 1848 – its role as an important transport hub. At one time in history, passengers could hop off the train and straight onto a ship at this famous ferry port, continuing their journey over the Irish Sea.

Today, you’ll reach Anglesey via one of its original suspension bridges: the Britannia Bridge (Pont Britannia), which opened in 1850, or Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1826 and was the world’s first iron suspension bridge.

Holyhead still thrums with activity as the busiest sea link to Ireland. It’s also the island’s largest town, brimming with pubs and restaurants and a layered heritage which you can explore across its lifeboat station, marine yard, St Cybi’s Church and maritime museum.

Elsewhere, the island’s 125-mile-long coastline boasts some 40-plus beaches and the Anglesey Coast Path for visitors and locals to enjoy. Many are uncrowded, sandy, and fringed by forest, dunes or dramatic limestone cliffs. It’s easy to see why Llanddwyn Beach was hailed one of the UK’s best by The Times this year.

Move to Anglesey and you’ll need to get a hang of pronouncing the place names. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, for example, may seem like a mouthful but, believe it or not, it’s the shorter version of the village name, purportedly one of the longest place names in the world.

But the Anglesey community love their island and with its rapidly evolving food scene, excellent sailing and watersports, and top-notch hiking, you can certainly see why.

Where to buy

Anglesey’s property ranges from historical cottages and 1960s bungalows to modern developments suited to families. Trearddur Bay, two miles south of Holyhead, is sought after for its tranquil setting, sea-facing properties and proximity to nature. Its sailing community in nearby Porth Diana, also adds to its appeal.

Rhosneigr, meanwhile, is popular for its quaint seaside cottages, watersports scene and lovely high street. In the east, the former retiree’s favourite, Benllech, now attracts younger first-time buyers and families thanks to its many amenities, affordable split-level homes and large beach.

Then there’s the village of Menai Bridge, whose excellent pubs and restaurants and popular Ysgol David Hughes have transformed it into a desirable spot. Its properties span Victorian townhouses, Grade II listed cottages and three-storey waterside homes.

How much?

According to Rightmove, properties in Anglesey had an overall average price of £257,851 over the last year and were three per cent up on the previous year. Most of the last year’s sales were detached properties, selling for an average of £340,408.

Rental prices, according to Williams & Goodwin Estate & Letting Agents, have steadily increased due to the demand for holiday lets. A four-bedroom rental property in Rhosneigr, for example, could bring in upwards of £1,200 a month.

Meanwhile, according to Rightmove, sought-after Trearddur Bay has an average house price of £525,550 while a more dynamic property market in Benllech provides homes that cost, on average, £281,854. One-off period properties and those tucked away in more remote locations could fetch well over the £800,000 mark.

Travel links?

A train from Holyhead train station will take you direct to Manchester and Shrewsbury in around 2½ hours, and direct to London and Birmingham in around four hours. These trains (bar the London bound trains) also connect the villages of Valley, Rhosneigr, Ty Croes, Bodorgan and Llanfairpwll. Cardiff can be reached by rail in just under five hours.

The A55 expressway links the island to mainland Wales and it’s around a two-hour drive to Liverpool; a 2½-hour drive to Manchester, a three-plus hour drive to Birmingham and a four to five-hour drive to South Wales. The ferry from Holyhead to Dublin takes two hours. Anglesey Airport has flights to Cardiff.

Schools

There are 40 primary schools in Anglesey with its top-ranking including Ysgol Santes Fair in Holyhead, Ysgol Gymuned Pentraeth and the £10m Ysgol Corn Hir which opened in Llangefni in 2023. All of these mentioned have nurseries.

Out of its five secondary schools, Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge is commended for its Welsh language and culture and bilingual Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni offers the most varied GCSE subjects. The island has one Special Educational Needs school, Canolfan Addysg y Bont in Llangefni. The Treffos Independent School in Menai Bridge has a nursery and champions outdoor learning.

Facilities

The island’s top attractions include the Anglesey Transport and Agriculture Museum in Newborough, the Anglesey Coast Path, the Anglesey Sea Zoo and the Anglesey Sea Salt Company near Llanfairpwll and the National Trust-owned Plas Newydd House and Garden.

Holyhead plays home to the Maritime Museum and the island’s only cinema, and you’ll find farm shops dotted across the island. Larger supermarkets are in Holyhead, Llangefni and Menai Bridge and pharmacies can be found in most towns.

Watersports abound here: Anglesey Outdoors offers everything from abseiling to coasteering, while surf lessons are offered in Rhosneigr. Areas like Holyhead, Llangefni and Amlwch have leisure centres while avid golfers can head to Rhosneigr’s scenic links course or the championship Bull Bay golf club, one of North Wales’s most prestigious.

Reality check

Although Anglesey is well connected to the mainland, island life can take some adjusting to, especially for those who are used to having a range of facilities on their doorstep.

There’s a slower pace, mobile phone reception can be sketchy, and the colder months don’t have the buzz that the summer peak season brings, with many months bringing wet weather. Bus services reduced following the pandemic, so car travel is usually the most reliable way to get around.

Time out

The beaches along the Anglesey Coast Path beg for exploration, with six – including Benllech, Trearddur and the National Trust-owned Porth Dafarch Beach – being awarded Blue Flag status. Rhosneigr’s two sandy bays – Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Llydan – are excellent places for enjoying watersports and some R&R.

Meanwhile, Llanddwyn Beach – known for its legend-steeped tidal island and dune-filled Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve – is a must visit, whatever the season.

For a scenic drive, hop in the car to the quaint village of Moelfre, in the north east. Its dinky pebble cove and series of rocky slabs are prime sunbathing spots during summer. It’s home to an excellent ice cream parlour and the whimsically designed Ann’s Pantry: a honeypot for hearty breakfasts and fish finger sandwiches.

Soaking up the unspoilt countryside and coastal flora and fauna is also a must in Anglesey. A third of the island has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since the 1960s and the South Stack Cliffs along the Anglesey Coast Path command staggering sea views. Take the 400 steps to the lighthouse and, come spring, spot guillemots, razorbills and puffins in the RSPB Nature Reserve. The Valley Wetlands in Llanfair-yn-Neubwll and boat trips to Puffin Island from Beaumaris are other ways to see the bountiful birdlife.

Anglesey’s burgeoning food scene spans excellent chippies (try Finney’s in Benllech), smart restaurants (try Sandy Mount House) and characterful cafes (try The Sea Shanty in Trearddur Bay). The Oyster Catcher beside Rhosneigr’s dunes, meanwhile, suits an array of tastes with a huge outdoor space. Dylan’s in Menai Bridge serves excellent seafood and burgers with Menai Strait views.

Visit Anglesey

Stay before you buy

Driftwood

Stay in one of the six light and airy rooms of this newly opened guest house (Broc Môr in Welsh) and enjoy hearty Welsh breakfasts coupled with the beautiful beaches of Rhosneigr. rhosneigr.co.uk

Goferydd

This four-bedroom cottage occupies one of Anglesey’s most enviable locations, just minutes away from South Stack lighthouse. It comes with luxury interiors, a hot tub and sea-facing gardens. restandrewild.co.uk

Château Rhianfa

Go all out with a luxury castle stay on the banks of the Menai Strait, close to Beaumaris. This Grade II listed château, built between 1849 and 1851, was inspired by those found in France’s Loire Valley. chateaurhianfa.co.uk

What you can get for your money

Here are some of our favourite Anglesey properties for sale:

GREAT LOCATION (OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £460,000)

This beautifully presented four-bedroom property has previously been used as a holiday home and boasts stylish interiors across its kitchen, lounge-diner, shower room and four immaculate bedrooms. It’s located on the southern edge of Rhosneigr, and the town’s sandy beaches along the Anglesey Coast Path and myriad shops are a few minutes’ walk away. There’s a small front yard and rear patio. The property is chain-free. beresfordadams.co.uk/properties/19753047/sales/HLH240183#/

PERIOD PROPERTY (OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £750,000)

This three-bedroom Georgian townhouse has undergone a series of upgrades yet retains plenty of character. Its high-end fitted kitchen-breakfast room has a feature fireplace, its lounge has a lovely window seat, and it has double-glazed sash windows. It’s chain-free and is located just a few minutes’ walk away from The Menai Strait coastline and the Anglesey Coast Path. Its detached garage, purpose-built studio and landscaped gardens add to its appeal. beresfordadams.co.uk/properties/18959410/sales/MEB240048#/

PLENTY OF CHARM (£375,000)

This Grade II Listed cottage in vibrant Beaumaris has been tastefully refurbished and has bags of charm. There are three bedrooms and a stylish bathroom upstairs (it also has a large, boarded attic) and its downstairs reception area has a period-style fireplace, with exposed stone walls and beams. There’s a modern kitchen, cosy snug and a sheltered patio to the rear. beresfordadams.co.uk/properties/19722960/sales/MEB240224#/

HI-SPEC MODERNITY (FROM £699,950)

Five contemporary four-bedroom homes are being developed on a quiet cul de sac close to Trearddur Bay on the Anglesey Coast Path. Due to be completed by late summer/early autumn 2025, these three-storey detached homes offer modern, open-plan living with high-spec kitchens and bathrooms and views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) from their upper floors. Each has a moderate-sized garden and off-road parking. The local beach is nearby. lucasestateagents.com/search.vbhtml?properties-for-sale