With approximately 135 miles of coastline, it is perhaps unsurprising that there are plenty of lighthouses on Anglesey to visit. However, something which is slightly less guaranteed is the incredible history that some of these Anglesey lighthouses have, in addition to the incredible scenery that is on offer in some of the locations.

From lighthouses that are steeped in Welsh legend, to lighthouses that provide the perfect spot for bird watching, here are a few of the lighthouses on Anglesey that we would recommend visiting the next time you are with us on the island.

Anglesey South Stack Lighthouse
Perched on a tiny island just off the coast of Holyhead, Anglesey’s South Stack Lighthouse is perhaps the most famous on the island. It was constructed in 1809 to warn ships of the dangerous rocks below the surface on this popular Dublin-Holyhead-Liverpool sea route. Its main light is visible to passing ships which are up to 28 miles away from the island.

You can pay a visit to the Anglesey South Stack Lighthouse, but you must first descend over 400 steps to reach a bridge which connects it to the mainland. Once you reach the lighthouse you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding cliffs, Irish Sea and nearby Snowdonia Mountain Range.

However, it is now better known for being a twitchers paradise, providing a great platform for birdwatching. The nearby cliffs are home to seabirds such as puffins, guillemots and razorbills.

Penmon Lighthouse Anglesey
Otherwise known as Trwyn Du Lighthouse, Penmon Lighthouse is famous for its distinctive black and white striped design. Another iconic aspect of Penmon Lighthouse is its distinctive bell chimes which can be heard during rough seas.

It was constructed in 1838 to mark the passage between Penmon Point and Puffin Island. Penmon Lighthouse was built in response to a number of incidents, most notably the loss of 130 lives in 1831 when the steamer ship ‘Rothsay Castle’ ran aground on nearby Lavan Sands.

Penmon Lighthouse is now better thought of as a location for peaceful coastal walks and photography, with views which look across to Puffin island and Mainland Anglesey.

Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse
Marking the western entrance to the Menai Strait, Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse is rather unusual in design as it is tapered in a style that is reminiscent of Windmills which were constructed during the mid 1800s.

This particular building was constructed in 1873 by a stonemason, and it is believed that part of the building may actually predate this with some estimating an initial construction date of 1835. During this earlier period it may have actually been used as a windmill before being transformed into its current form. This distinctive appearance has made it a favourite on postcards and a popular destination for photographers.

This Anglesey lighthouse sits on the tiny island of Ynys Llanddwyn and is only accessible during a low tide. The best place to park if you are looking to visit would be the nearby Newborough Forest. From here you can enjoy a scenic walk towards Ynys Llanddwyn on a journey that will cover approximately 3.6 miles (there and back).

The word “Llanddwyn” translates as “The church of St. Dwynwen”. St. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of “lovers”, which effectively means she is the Welsh St. Valentine. This makes it a great place for a romantic stroll during February.

North Stack Lighthouse Anglesey
Working in conjunction with the aforementioned South Stack Lighthouse, North Stack lighthouse is located on a small island just off the north west coast of Anglesey. It was built in 1857 and was officially a fog warning system. The protruding nature of the island had made it a hazard for passing ships, particularly during foggy weather conditions. North Stack Lighthouse was thought to be the perfect solution to this problem.

There are a number of accompanying buildings alongside the fog warning station, one of which housed the initial fog house keepers and their families, and the other was used to store the shells that were used as part of the warning system. North Stack Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1986 having been superseded by a new system at South Stack Lighthouse.

The region around North Stack Lighthouse is now better known for being a popular rock climbing destination. One word of warning is that this is not a good place for beginners, with lots of chop routes which will challenge even the most seasoned climber.

Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse
Holyhead is one of the country’s most important ports for freight and sea passengers, and this particular Anglesey lighthouse stands at the end of Holyhead’s breakwater. It was constructed in 1873 and designed by civil engineer John Hawkshaw who had earlier served as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

It has a rather unusual square design which was done in order to make the living quarters more comfortable. Stretching out almost 1.7 miles into the sea, this is the longest breakwater in Europe which was quite an impressive feat at the time.

During the 19th century, passenger ships would be warned of nearby land by a bell which was operated from the lighthouse with this responsibility resting on the lighthouse keepers. It was manned until 1961 at which point the system became automated. Unlike many of the aforementioned Anglesey lighthouses, the Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse is still in operation today and plays a vital role in the smooth running of the historic Holyhead harbour.

You can now walk across the granite blocks which make up the breakwater directly to the lighthouse where you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and Holyhead marina.