The county of Gwynedd and the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) make up the northwest corner of Wales. A predominantly Welsh-speaking area, much of the county is given over to the mountainous beauty of Snowdonia National Park. However, Snowdonia is by no means the only reason to visit Gwynedd. The county is filled with quaint little market towns, historic villages, and welcoming seaside resorts. The towns of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Caernarfon and Dolgellau may be familiar to you, but the most famous town in Gwynedd is probably Portmeirion. Portmeirion was immortalised as the setting for the TV show, The Prisoner, but it is famous in its own right as a purpose built Italian-style village, bringing a little of Italy to Wales. Gwynedd’s coastline is also a major draw for tourists, particularly around Harlech, Pwllheli, and Hells Mouth in Abersoch. Beaches, watersports and surfing are abundant here.

The Isle of Anglesey lies above Gwynedd, separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait and connected to it by the Menai Suspension Bridge. Anglesey has a varied history from its Druidic roots through periods of Irish, Viking, Norman and English interest over the ages. The major town in Anglesey is Holyhead, which isn’t technically part of the island, but a separate isle connected by the Four Mile Bridge. Holyhead is noted for its extant Roman architecture and its substantial prehistoric remains, and it is also a busy ferry port to and from Ireland.

Anglesey as a whole is fairly rural, and its striking coastline has been named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Most of Anglesey’s visitor attractions, including Beaumaris Gaol and Anglesey Sea Zoo, are located along the southern edge of the island, closest to the mainland. One other thing to note about Anglesey is that it holds the longest place name in Britain: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. This delightfully translates as ‘St. Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St. Tysilio of the Red Cave’. Visitors to the area might be pleased to know that the village and its very specific directions are normally abbreviated to Llanfair PG in conversation.