Journeying | Pilgrimage Holidays | Christian Walking Holidays | Christian Short Breaks

Cost

£760

Description

The beautiful Isle of Anglesey has its own “Holy Island” and lies at the northern tip of Wales. With a coastal path of 125 miles, stunning scenery, dark sky sites, numerous wells, ancient burial sites, ancient Christian Churches, Celtic connections and Castles, wonderful wildlife, all combine to make it a wonderful place to visit especially in Spring.

Walks and Excursions

The majority of our walks are on circular routes, varying between 5 and 8 miles. We will also plan to visit other beauty spots along the way.

Penmon Point and Priory
This walk starts on the beach a couple of miles north of Beaumaris. There is a little road walking before taking a riverside track and ascending through woods to Abernlleiniog Castle, a hidden gem of a Norman fortress. We continue over fields which give us great views of the area, then drop down to the ancient Penmon Priory and Church, St Seiriol’s Well, and the beautifully preserved Dovecote, before continuing on a country lane to Penmon Point. Time to admire the views out to Puffin Island and beyond, look for seals, and visit the café, before taking the coastal footpath to join the track back to Aberlleiniog Castle and woods.
7 miles of easy to moderate walking.

Cemaes Bay and Parys (Copper) Mountain
The beautiful small fishing village of Cemaes Bay lies at the Northern end of Anglesey. Our walk takes in Llanbadrig Church (St Patrick’s Church). Its origins are thought to date back to 440 AD. We retrace our steps to take an inland route through fields before ascending to the lookout on the cliff top giving us views over the tiny Middle Mouse Island and on a clear day, to the Isle of Man. Middle Mouse Island is reputedly where St Patrick had been shipwrecked. We return via the Inland Route to Cemaes Bay.
5 miles easy to moderate walking

Copper Mountain lies a couple of miles from Cemaes Bay and is a remnant from the days of mining and shipping copper from the nearby port of Amlwch. It has a circular walk of two miles on good paths with information boards dotted around it. The colours at Copper Mountain are deep and rich and regularly change depending on where the sun is. It has been described as an “Artist’s Palette” of colour, and is a fascinating place to visit, whether interested in the history of the area or not.
2 miles of easy walking

Newborough and Llanddwyn Island
Nestled between the long golden sandy beaches of Newborough and Malltraeth lies the beautiful tiny Island of Llanddwynn, which is said to be the home of St Dwynen, the Welsh Patron Saint of lovers whose feast day is 25th January. Although small, there is much to explore on the Island or to have time to sit in one of the sheltered coves, have a dip, or look out for the wild ponies that live there and explore the plant life. Its iconic lighthouse and ancient nunnery are firm favourites for photographers. Our walk takes us through woodland and along the “Saints, sea and sand” trail to Llanddwyn before returning via the beach to our starting place.
6-8 easy miles

Holyhead Mountain and the “Church in the Sea”
A day spent exploring two different areas. Parking near to the RSPB shop and café, we will have time to explore an ancient settlement of Celtic Iron Age Huts before taking a circular walk (if weather permits) around the area. With great views out to sea, South Stack Lighthouse and inland, this area can give the feeling of being in a remote place. We will look out for the wildlife in the area, and time to visit the RSPB watchtower to view nesting birds on the cliffs.
5 miles of roughish walking on paths

From here we will drive to the beach near the village of Aberfraw to view St Cwyfan’s Church, known locally as the “Church in the Sea”. Constructed in dedication to St Kevin of Glendalough, it dates back to the 12th Century, although there has been Christian worship here from at least the 7th Century onwards. If tide permits, we can walk to the church along a narrow causeway.

Rhoscolyn Head and All Saints Bay
This beautiful circular walk begins and ends at St Gwenfaen’s Church in the village of Rhoscolyn on Holy Island. Crossing fields and lanes to the beach before we take the short climb to Rhoscolyn Head, we have the opportunity to pause at the Coastguard lookout station for some more great views. Before reaching All Saint’s Bay, we pass St. Gwenfaen’s Well, which was a favourite stopping place for Medieval Pilgrims who thought the well possessed healing powers. From here we take the coastal path to All Saints Bay, before returning through fields and lanes to St Gwenfaen’s Church. There has been a Church on this site since 630 AD and like many ancient Churches on Anglesey, myths and legends abound!
7 miles with a moderate climb and some coastal path

All walks are subject to weather conditions and may also be subject to tidal conditions.
The leaders will transport you to the start of the walks.

Accommodation

Our base for the week is a 6 bedroom, 5 storey rental house which has been beautifully renovated, and is situated on the sea front at Beaumaris, one of Anglesey’s premier seaside towns. The house has views across the Menai Strait to the Carneddau Mountain Range in Snowdonia and an enclosed terrace garden which gives further views of the sea and pier. It is only a short stroll to the beach, and Beaumaris Castle. The bedrooms are large and comfortable. Some of them have sea views, whilst the others look over Beaumaris itself. Whilst not en-suite, there are 3 beautifully presented bathrooms, one with roll top bath and walk in shower, two with walk in showers, plus 2 extra WC’s for guests’ use. There are three sitting rooms (or areas) so there is plenty of space to relax in, including one larger lounge where we can gather for our worship/times of reflection. There is a spacious kitchen/diner where we will prepare our food and enjoy our daily meals together.

Getting there

By Rail:There are daily trains from London, Cardiff, Chester, Crewe, Manchester to Holyhead, Anglesey which stop at Bangor or Llanfairpwllgwyn. (The shortened version). Both stations are about 6.5 miles away from Beaumaris. There are regular buses running from Bangor to Beaumaris. Llanfairpwllwyn is a request stop on the train, but is worth visiting to try and pronounce the name of the Station which has 58 letters in its name. It has a shopping outlet and café should you arrive early and wish to wait for a taxi there.

By Road: Beaumaris is easily accessed via the A55 which runs to Holyhead, and taking the Menai Bridge to cross the straits, before heading down to Beaumaris. Parking is limited to street parking or there is a car park on the seafront. At the time of writing, it is £25 for a weekly ticket with unlimited access.

By Ferry: If coming from Dublin, there are daily ferries to Holyhead and onward trains through Anglesey. Again Llanfairpwllgwyn and Bangor are the nearest stops.

Contact

This is a small group holiday, limited to 5 guests. Before booking please contact Karen on +44 (0)7624 415413 to see if there is a place available:

Karen Garrett: spyrrydys@gmail.com
Ashleigh Hair: ashleighhair23@gmail.com

After you have contacted the leader to check that a place is still available, to secure your place please pay your £200 deposit by clicking on the "Book Today" button below and then select the blue "View Details" button.