A SPRING WEEKEND IN ANGLESEY

Ok, it can be a long drive, but spring weekend escape to Anglesey is the perfect blend of coastal adventure, fresh seasonal flavours, and moments to chill. As the island awakens from winter, its rugged landscapes soften with bursts of wildflowers, the beaches become inviting once more, and the sea air carries the promise of longer days, but still pack your big coat. From breathtaking coastal walks to cozy countryside stays, Anglesey in spring is a place where time slows, and the simple pleasures, fresh seafood, salt-tinged breezes, and golden sunsets.

Arriving late morning, we kick off the weekend with a visit to Llanddwyn Island, one of Anglesey’s most romantic and picturesque spots. A short walk from Newborough Forest leads us to this tidal island, where golden sands stretch endlessly, and the ruins of St. Dwynwen’s Chapel stand against the dramatic backdrop of Snowdonia’s peaks 9also worth a climb if you can stretch your stay). Spring is the ideal time to visit—before the summer crowds arrive, the beaches are blissfully quiet, with only the sound of waves and the occasional call of seabirds for company.
After a windswept walk along the shore, we headed to Halen Môn, Anglesey’s world-famous sea salt distillery. The guided tour is a fascinating insight into the traditional process behind this salt-after ingredient (see what I did there), and the tasting session is a revelation—flaked salt infused with everything from oak smoke to fiery spices. Inspired, we pick up a few jars from the shop, already imagining the dishes they’ll elevate back home.

Checking in at Tyn Llan, a beautifully inn in the village of Llandwrog (check availability as it will be undergoing some refurbishment in 2025), feels like arriving at the heart of island hospitality. The rooms are warm and stylish, with soft linens and countryside views, while the pub downstairs serves up plates of locally sourced goodness. Dinner is a relaxed affair—creamy Menai mussels with cider and leeks, followed by line-caught sea bass with spring greens. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why Anglesey is known as the ‘Mother of Wales’ when it comes to food.

The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast of homemade granola and fresh pastries, we set off for South Stack Lighthouse, perched high on the cliffs of Holy Island. The descent down 400 steps to the lighthouse is worth every effort (sturdy shoes recommended)—puffins and guillemots nest in the rock faces at this time of year, and the sight of the whitewashed lighthouse standing resilient against the Atlantic is nothing short of breathtaking.

Lunch calls for something simple but delicious, so we make our way to Melin Llynon, a working windmill-turned-artisan bakery that’s quickly becoming one of Anglesey’s must-visit spots. Their cinnamon buns are legendary, but it’s the grilled cheese sandwich, made with local Anglesey cheese, that steals the show. We sit outside in the soft spring sunshine, watching lambs play in the fields beyond, and wonder why life doesn’t always move at this pace.

With the afternoon stretching ahead, we take a slow drive along the coast, stopping at Rhosneigr to watch surfers catching the first good waves of the season, no chance of me getting in the water though! The beach here is one of the island’s best, a mix of golden sand and wild dunes, with cafés serving up excellent coffee and homemade cakes. We stayed longer than planned, before making our way back to Tyn Llan for a final, quiet evening.

As the sun dips, casting the landscape in pastel hues, we settle in with a glass of Welsh whisky, enjoying the last moments of an island weekend well spent and much needed, if you can turn the phone off and get away from the endless news cycles do it, you won’t get much more remote escapism. Anglesey in spring is a place that stays with you—its raw beauty, its welcoming charm, and the feeling of stepping into a slower, simpler way of life. If it wasn’t for the other 7,723 miles of UK coast I need to explore I’d be going back time after time.