Hello!
My mom and I are taking a trip over to London in the fall. We are wanting to go over to Anglesey for a few days as that is where some of my maternal ancestors come from. We are planning to take the train. Is that the best way to travel out there? (Neither one of us feels comfortable driving). Also, what do you recommend we see on the island? Should we get a driver or is it pretty navigable without one?
Thanks very much!
Margaret
Train would be an easy way to get there, usually 4 hours with 1 connection, but some trains run direct all the way to Holyhead, which has a Hertz car rental office and other services. I don't know any details of getting around the area by public transport nor what there is to see. See also http://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en/.
Thank you!
Consider visiting Beaumaris Castle =http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/beaumaris-castle/?lang=en
Holyhead is just a ferry port for Dublin.
(You might also wish to visit Caernarvon Castle - just over on the mainland). Also consider taking a steam train ride into Snowdonia:> http://www.festrail.co.uk/toptrips_caernarfon.htm
From London (Euston) - you will be travelling on Virgin Trains (to Bangor or Holyhead). To get the cheapest fares, you should pre-book about 10 weeks ahead. http://www.virgintrains.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk will also tell you the train schedules.
www.traveline.info will also give you bus schedules.
On a Road Scholar tour we went to Anglesey to see Penmon Priory and St Seiriol's Well which was a stop on the pilgrimage route to St David's in the Middle Ages. Apparently 2 or 3 trips on the St David's pilgrimage route was the substitute for one pilgrimage to Rome according to our guide. There are a couple of medieval crosses in the priory and a SheelaNaGig which remained by the front door of the church until the 1970s or so but is now moved inside in a side room with the medieval crosses.
About Penmon Priory:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penmon
About the SheelaNaGig:
http://www.sheelanagig.org/index.html#http://www.sheelanagig.org/SheelaPenmon.htm
The medieval Misericords from the choir area of Penmon Priory are now located in the church of St Mary and St Nicholas in Beaumaris.
http://www.snowdoniaheritage.info/en/location/156/st-mary-s-and-st-nicholas-s-church-beaumaris/
There is also an Elizabethan dovecote across the road from Penmon Priory.
I found the Priory and the Beaumaris church very interesting, however, I do believe you would need to rent a car to see this area!
Thank you for all the marvelous suggestions! I can't wait to research all that everyone has posted!
