When you are a parent of a child who has special educational needs, finding the right attraction for a day out can be difficult. Of course, there is no way of knowing how your child will cope with the crowds and new environment in which they find themselves.

To help make things a little easier, we’ve put together a selection of autism friendly places to visit on Anglesey ahead of your next visit to the island. While we can’t take account of all the variables, we can provide you with a summary of what to expect at each venue so that you can appropriately prepare for your day out.

1. Anglesey Sea Zoo
Located less than a 40 minute drive away from Silver Bay Holiday Park is the fascinating Anglesey Sea Zoo. This is the largest aquarium in Wales, with over 150 different native species of marine life spread across 40 tanks. There are a number of different sections including the ‘no bone zone’ where you can see invertebrates such as octopus and the alien looking moon jellyfish!

However, the really exceptional thing about the Anglesey Sea Zoo is that it has tailored programmes for those with autism, ADHD and anxiety. This includes special quiet times which can be catered for upon request. We recommend contacting the Zoo prior to making the journey in order for the arrangements to be made. The on-site team are also more than happy to switch off the wave machines if they are found to be too noisy.

You can even take advantage of the after school club where the team will create a number of indoor activities for autistic children which educate them about much of the marine life which is showcased at the zoo.

2. Silver Bay Beach
One of the best things about owning a holiday home at Silver Bay Holiday Park is that owners can enjoy having direct access to Silver Bay Beach which is directly accessible via a private path leading from our resort.

Silver Bay Beach is very off the beaten track and unquestionably one of the quieter beaches on Anglesey. This makes it the ideal destination for a fun day out at the seaside for any family members with autism, as you will be away from all the noise that is common at better known beaches such as Trearddur Bay.

This does not reflect on the quality of the beach though, which holds a prestigious Green Flag Award. These are handed out to beaches which have exceptional water quality and a clean environment with active litter picking efforts.

Of course, if things become a little much for your children, you will then always have the option to retreat to your holiday home which will never be more than just a short walk away from Silver Bay Beach.

3. South Stack Cliffs & South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse is one of the most recognisable landmarks on Anglesey, having been built way back in 1809 in a spectacular coastal location to the north west of Holyhead. It has served as a waymark for marine traffic crossing the Irish sea for generations and is now open as a tourist attraction. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a tour of the lighthouse engine room or make the descent down 400 steps to explore the fascinating geology of the cliffs below.

In addition to the lighthouse, South Stack Cliffs is also a renowned bird watching hotspot. That almost guarantees the kind of peace and serenity that you will be craving when looking for autism friendly places to visit on Anglesey.

The cliffs serve as a breeding ground for a plethora of bird species including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. You will be able to hire binoculars and try to see some of these birds with your own eyes. There are also treasure hunt activities often arranged during the school holiday periods, which are sure to keep children of all ages entertained.

4. Llanddwyn Island
Llanddwyn is a small island just off the west coast of Anglesey. It is accessible from the island in all but the highest of tides and there are plenty of points of interest both on and around the island.

One of the biggest attractions on the island are the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church. St Dwynwen is the Welsh Patron Saint of lovers which effectively makes her the Welsh version of Saint Valentine. She is celebrated in Wales each year on the 25th January, a date on which many followers make a pilgrimage to the island to pay homage to the saint and visit her holy well which is also located on the island.

Other popular attractions on the island include Twr Mawr Lighthouse and the blue flag Llanddwyn Beach which also forms part of the Newborough National Nature Reserve. You walk around the island and take in these many attractions, all of which are generally quiet and devoid of large swarms of tourists. There are also plenty of scenic areas in which to enjoy a picnic on the island with only the sound of the ocean waves to disturb the silence.

5. Plas Newydd House and Gardens
Situated alongside the Menai Strait on the North Wales mainland, Plas Newydd House has historically been the principal residence of the Marquesses of Anglesey.

The origins of the current building can be traced back to 1470 and it was largely passed down the same line of family for the next 500 years before it was handed over to the National Trust in the 1970s. This move made it accessible to the general public for the first time, allowing tourists to explore the magnificent house with its period furnishings and decor, in addition to the majestic 40 acre gardens and 129 acre woodland.

Special efforts are made to ensure that Plas Newydd House is one of the best autism friendly places to visit in the North Wales region. This includes the availability of a limited number of sensory backpacks complete with ear defenders which can be collected from reception for those with autism or learning difficulties.

Occasionally Plas Newydd House will also host autism friendly events. For instance, in the run up to Christmas 2024, the house hosted a special silent disco in the music room to mark the anniversary of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey hosting a similar Christmas celebration in that very same room some 100 years earlier.

This is just a short selection of the many great autism friendly places to visit on Anglesey. To make the most of these you may be interested in becoming the owner of a luxury holiday home at Silver Bay Holiday Park; an autism friendly holiday resort which has SEN activities incorporated in its children’s entertainment programme.