Find the best Anglesey family adventures this August with Jenny Schippers: travel writer, mum of two and expert on the north coast of Wales’ best kept secret.
Anglesey family adventures are always top of our holiday wish list. Just off the north coast of Wales this small island allows visitors the opportunity to explore quite manageably – even if only for a weekend break – while offering plenty to do for a longer stay. We’ve been holidaying on Anglesey for many years and have enjoyed adapting our must-see spots to suit our children’s requirements as they’ve grown up.
Rhosneigr towards the north of the island, Benllech/Red Wharf Bay on the east coast and the bustling tourist resort of Beaumaris on the south coast is a great place to start Anglesey family adventures. With fantastic beaches in their own right, both are also perfect bases to get out and explore the many hidden bays, fantastic cafes and tourist attractions elsewhere on Anglesey.
Anglesey family adventures are wonderful for wildlife spotting
Foel Farm, Anglesey Sea Zoo and Pili Palas Nature World will suit younger children, especially on rainy days. For older children, there’s the opportunity to try a spot of surfing, kayaking, coasteering at Anglesey Adventures. Don’t forget to wander through Newborough Forest, keeping your eyes peeled for red squirrels. It is one of the most important red squirrel conservation sites in the UK. It’s also a mountain bike enthusiast’s paradise thanks to the many winding trails along the way.
There are plenty of child-friendly cafes and restaurant options on Anglesey, and it’s become quite the foodie hangout over the last few years. If you are lucky enough to get some sunshine then a walk along the coastal path from Moelfre to the Lifeboat station is a must; maybe you’ll see the lifeboat launch or some seals frolicking out at sea. After that, wind around the coast and marvel over the sunset at the end of a long day of exploring.
Add north Wales to your Anglesey family adventures
The colourful resort of Beaumaris offers the opportunity for any crab-fishing experts to grab their buckets and chance their luck dodging the seagulls on the pier. During the summer months, the park in the shadows of the castle over the road arranges crazy golf, a bouncy castle and ice creams, which will no doubt please children of all ages (and adults!). The town itself offers every chance to spend that holiday pocket money, a sweet and souvenir shops aplenty.
If you’ve exhausted all the Anglesey family adventures then you are also in the prime position to explore the north Wales coast, a short hop back over the Menai/Britannia bridges Snowdonia offers fantastic options for daredevils and older children
Just over the Menai Straits the town of Caernarfon offers an incredibly impressive castle to explore and further along the coastline you enter the Llyn Peninsular featuring the dominating backdrop of the Snowdonia National Park. Whether you wish to visit the popular seaside town of Abersoch or the inland village of Beddgelert there really is something for everyone.
Turn Anglesey family adventures into Snowdonia road trips
Challenge yourself and walk Snowdonia or take the easy route up and ride the Snowdonia Mountain Railway to the peak. There are now also fantastic options for daredevils and older children to get their adrenaline fix at Zip World (the fastest zip line in the world) and indoor surfing at Adventure Parc, Conwy. On your way home you could enjoy the afternoon in Llandudno, walk the famous pier, take the funicular railway up the Great Orme and enjoy some fish and chips.
As you can see, Anglesey family adventures aren’t limited to Anglesey. The island’s a great base for exploring the north of Wales and we feel like we’ve just scratched the surface of its potential so we’re looking forward to many more years of discovery.
Based in Cheshire, Jenny is the mother to two young daughters, Isabelle and Thea. They’ve been travelling as a family since the girls were tiny and their favourite place to explore (so far) is western Australia. Bucket-list destinations include Florida fly-drive taking in the Everglades, Florida Keys and, when the girls are a bit older, Costa Rica. Check out Jenny’s Instagram for Anglesey family adventures and more staycation inspiration.