It may be small, but Anglesey is an island that is packed full of attractions that will appeal to all kinds of holidaymakers. Irrespective of whether you enjoy sun, sea & sunbathing or prefer something a little more active, there is sure to be an attraction or activity that will be perfect for you on your next trip to the island.

To help make the decision making process a little easier, we’ve put together a short list of some of the greatest hidden gems on Anglesey based on our first hand experiences.

These are not the kinds of attractions or activities that will appear at the top of your conventional list of the best things to do on the island. Instead, we’ve handpicked some of Anglesey greatest hidden gems which are a little off the beaten track, but well worth a visit during your next time on the island. Whatsmore, these Anglesey hidden gems will also be far quieter than the better known attractions; perfect for those who prefer to be away from the crowds.

1. Aberlleiniog Castle – Llangoed
Aberlleiniog Castle is a little known motte and bailey fortress which is located at the bottom of a woodland nature reserve near the village of Llangoed. It was built by the 1st Earl of Chester between 1080 and 1099 during his conquest of the Gwynedd region at the top of a very steep hill. This ensured that the Earl and his followers would benefit from the perfect strategic position should any of the local inhabitants decide to fight back against the invaders.

Unfortunately for the Earl, this was not enough to repel the army of the Gwynedd King Gruffudd ap Cynan when he returned to the region from Ireland in 1094. This battle resulted in the loss of 124 Norman soldiers and ensured that the Welsh regained control of Anglesey until the invasion of King Edward I some two hundred years later.

The original Norman timber fortress is now long gone. In its place is a stone artillery fortress which was erected by the Constable of Beaumaris Thomas Cheadle during the second English Civil War in the mid 17th century. The fortress was badly damaged in the battles between the Royalists and Parliamentarians. It wasn’t until 2016 that Aberlleiniog Castle was partially restored and opened to the general public.

Aberlleiniog Castle is very much off the beaten track and only accessible by traversing through the surrounding woodland. There are limited parking opportunities in the nearby Lleiniog Beach car park, ensuring that the structure doesn’t tend to get the kind of footfall that you will find at many other Anglesey Castles. All of this adds to it being one of the greatest of Anglesey’s hidden gems.

2. Silver Bay Beach – Rhoscolyn
If you are looking for a beautiful, relaxing beach which is devoid of crowds then look no further than Silver Bay Beach in Rhoscolyn. It’s off the beaten track location ensures that it remains a quiet place to enjoy a traditional family day out at the seaside at any time of the year.

The rock formations at either end of Silver Bay Beach provide plenty of opportunities for rock pooling. You can also swim or paddle in the waters here without concern with the beach having received a prestigious Green Coast Award in a recent assessment. These awards are reserved for beaches which have excellent water quality with no pollution, manual litter picking operations and have also been deemed safe for bathing.

All members of the family can have fun here, and that includes the four legged kind with the beach being pet friendly throughout the year. Whatsmore, Silver Bay Beach is directly accessible from our Silver Bay Holiday Park.

3. Janet Bell Gallery – Beaumaris
If you are an art enthusiast, then we’d strongly recommend paying a visit to the Janet Bell Gallery in Beaumaris.

Janet moved to Anglesey with her husband Sean in 2007. She initially opened a small studio where she painted and sold her prints and cards. This turned out to be an unprecedented success, leading to Janet opening a town centre gallery which is located on Beaumaris’s Castle Street.

The gallery has subsequently won three Anglesey Tourism Awards and now also showcases the work of other local artists that Janet has decided to champion. You’ll also find a wide selection of Scandinavian inspired home and lifestyle products available which are perfect if you are looking to spruce up your Anglesey holiday home.

4. South Stack Cliffs Reserve – Holyhead
Anglesey is an island that is filled with natural beauty and this is no more in evidence than at South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve. Located near Holyhead, this coastal reserve is made up of sea, coast, cliffs, farmland and heathland.

It’s a great place for birdwatching on Anglesey, with the cliffs being a nesting site for as many as 9,000 seabirds each year made up of puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. There is no better place to observe these than by heading into the on-site Elins Tower, a former holiday home owned by the wealthy Stanley family from Penrhos, which has since been turned into bird hide with binoculars and telescopes freely available to use on-site.

Horticultural fanatics are also in for a treat here, with the area supporting the endemic plant named the South Stack Fleawort; a small yellow flower that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

5. Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens – Menai Bridge
Another Anglesey hidden gem is the Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens which are situated close to Menai Bridge. The current owner purchased Plas Cadnant Estate in 1996 and immediately started a restoration project which was aimed at restoring the gardens to their former glory.

Now open to the general public, there are now three gardens to be explored across the 10 acre site. This includes a stunning secret valley garden with a river and three waterfalls, an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and an unusual walled garden with a pool and surrounded by striking curved walls.

Once you have spent some time exploring the gardens, you can then take a well earned break at the on-site traditional tea rooms which offer sensational teas and cakes, in addition to a range of sandwiches made up of classics such as egg mayonnaise, baked ham & mustard and Welsh cheese & chutney.