It’s not often that a place name is in itself a tourist attraction, but this one is an exception to the rule!
The tongue twisting town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a regular photo stop for people in Anglesey!
The long form of the name, with 58 characters split into 18 syllables, is the longest place name in Europe and the second longest one-word place name in the world. (according to Wikipedia!)
The improbably long name translates as – The church of St. Mary Llanfair of the pool of the white hazels near the fierce whirlpool and the church of St. Tysilio of the red cave. . . phew!
From a mouthful of letters to a endless stretch of golden sands – we might not be on foreign shores, but we’re certainly getting some beach action!
Newborough Warren is one of the largest dune systems in Britain.
The dunes, coastal marshes, sandy and rocky shores have been whipped into shape over thousands of years by the wind and sea.
The beautiful sandy nature reserve is crisscrossed with walkways, paths and places to explore.
As well as stunning views there are lots of fuzzy critters to spot including red squirrels and furry husbands in their natural environment.
I’m husband stalking . . . . . through the dunes and towards the glorious blue seas.
We have time to explore over to the small tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn that is accessible when the tide goes out.
Llanddwyn Island is also known as ‘Lover’s Island’ and is named for St. Dwynwen.
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century AD and was one of 24 daughters of St. Brychan, a Welsh prince of Brecon.
She fell in love with a young man named Maelon, but rejected his advances. She prayed to be released from the unhappy love and dreamed that she was given a potion to do this.
She then retreated to Llanddwyn Island to follow the life of a hermit. Dwynwen became known as the patron saint of lovers and pilgrimages were made to her holy well on the island.
The island is near the southern entrance to the Menai Strait and was important as shipping of slate from the ports of Bangor, Caernarfon and Felinhelli increased.
A beacon – Tŵr Bach – was built at the tip of the island to provide guidance to ships heading for the Strait.
There are four adjoining small cottages on Llanddwyn Island that were built around 1900 for the pilots who were employed to assist boats navigate into the ports along the Menai Strait.
These feel like some of the most isolated dwellings I have ever seen!
