BOF's Big Bucket List Trip To Anglesey! *MNHQ editing title to say that there is some very sad news contained in this thread. Sending love to all*

[BitOfFun]

AIBU to ask for some help planning this?

I've been on mumsnet almost forever, and it's my go-to place for wisdom, help and advice. I don't really have a long time alive, as my cancer treatment has stopped working, so I'm hoping that some of you can help me plan a trip to Anglesey, so that I've seen somewhere that isn't these four walls during my Liverpool Lockdown!

I don't want to go much further afield, as I would feel better being easily accessible to medical care if necessary. The plan is to hire a car with my husband, who'll drive, and stay a night or two in B&Bs, taking in some coastal views and sunsets.

I'd love to trawl antique shops.
I'd like to take the dog, if possible, though this isn't really essential.
Outdoors is good, but I'll have to use a wheelchair for more than short distances.
I like the idea of "hidden gems" in terms of places to visit (who doesn't?) but comfort is good too.
I'll wait for the weather to warm up a bit, so in a few weeks is fine (I hope!).

I don't want to annoy anybody, but I'd like to use this thread for a bit of support and encouragement, and keep bumping it for more ideas and suggestions.so I can make this trip as special as possible. As Anglesey isn't all that far from where I live, I could split the trip into a few parts.

So, can you help? AIBU?

[SwedishEdith]

I'm so sorry to read this @BitOfFun. You're one of the names I notice on here.

I know your neck of the woods and North Wales pretty well but not sure I can add much. Beaumaris is really lovely though. And stop off en route at Rhos on Sea for the best fish and chips.

If you can't make it into Wales, how about a tour around the Wirral? Thurstaston, West Kirby, Port Sunlight are all lovely.

[Saisong]

Oh BoF, so sorry to hear the prognosis, sending all my love (even if you don't know me from Adam, you have been a fixture on these boards my whole MN time).

You've had lots of recommendations here, I won't reiterate them. I don't think I saw a recommendation for the Dingle walk in Llangefni, but it's a board walk through trees with a river/ponds and old industrial architecture/dilapidated railway. Suitable for a wheelchair, and there is a car park at the start. Pretty much guaranteed to see red squirrels too. If you go far enough it comes out at a pretty reservoir. The town itself isn't much to sing about, though there is a nice art gallery called Oriel Mon.

I would recommend the drive out to Penmon and the Trwyn Ddu lighthouse, via Beaumaris and Penmon priory.

I hope you have a lovely trip and find it restorative.

Much love

[eveoha]

Please could I come with you - I’m longing to get to Penmon - although bell not tolling now 🥴 We’re in Liverpool ( end of m62 garden suburb) and I can give you every book on Anglesey you’ll need ☘️❤️ 💪🏾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️☘️

[shinynewapple21]

I am really sorry to hear your news BitOfFun.

I have only ever been to Anglesey on a day trip but I would like to echo everything Favouriteworstnightmare says about Llandudno and Conway, and that Caernarfon is worth a visit as well .

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

[ShowOfHands]

It's all being sold a bit well on here. Careful BoF, we will all turn up and you won't be able to move for people arguing about dogs off/on lead and whether or not chips are a carb too far.

My mate stayed in a Pontins once. There was a bloody handprint on the shower curtain. She assumed it was there to distract from the FILTH in the rest of the bathroom.

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

Oh Boffy . Sorry, I don't know much about Anglesey as I've only been once, on a school Geography field trip. The memory that sticks most in my mind is getting off with a 6th form boy from another school and hours of snogging. I never did much like Geography.

So I hope you and Mr Bof have some great snogs there, plus sunsets, beaches, lovely food, puffins, antiques, ice cream, fun, wine - everything! And plenty of it Xxxx

[dancinfeet]

@BitOfFun sorry to hear about your prognosis. I can't give any advice about your trip it isn't somewhere I have visited, but just to say that I hope that you get to visit there soon and that you have a lovely lovely time. X

[Saucery]

Much love to you, BoF. There’s not really anywhere I can add that hasn’t been mentioned already but I second Plas Newydd if racy Marquesses and cream teas are your thing. Lovely view of the Straits from the terraces too.

[idontwanttodiet]

I'm so sorry to hear your news but I'm loving your positivity about planning a trip to Anglesey.

I've lived most of my life on Anglesey and am not in the least bit surprised how many people love coming back year after year. I'll try and go through the suggestions already made in terms of how wheelchair friendly they are for you.

Beaumaris - lovely town, lots of independent shops, small pier, plenty of pavements near the sea to get the air. The main church is also worth a visit, it might involve a couple of steps getting in though, if you could manage that?

Penmon Priory - a few miles from Beaumaris, most accessible by wheelchair and a flat path to St Seiriol's Well nearby. A bit further on down a toll road is Penmon Lighthouse and the views of Puffin Island, Llandudno and the mountains on the mainland.

Red Wharf Bay - drive down a narrow twisty lane but all flat when you get to the bottom. A few cafes/restaurants, The Ship Inn is quite old and has a lovely outside eating area, weather permitting.

Benllech beach - lots of parking and a good pavement overlooking the beach

Moelfre - lovely little old fishing village, nice pub overlooking the beach, accessible. The lifeboat musuem is worth a visit too and also has lovely views out to sea, good spot for seeing dolphins etc

Lligwy beach - you can drive to the car park behind the beach, lovely views

Amlwch Port - drive down to the port, it's where all the boats used to dock when loading up the copper from Parys Mountain

Parys Mountain - drive south from Amlwch towards Llanerchymedd and you get can a feel for the place just from the car

Bull Bay - laybay just before the village as you come from Amlwch, good views out to sea and you can sometimes see the Isle of Man (on a very clear day )

Llanbadrig church - car park adjacent to the church, fairly decent pathway into the churchyard and maybe a step or two into the church. Worth a visit inside and the location is stunning.

Cemaes Bay - car park overlooking the main beach. The jetty is wheelchair accessible to see the fishing boats. The Harbour Hotel has a bar/restaurant with great views over the beach and village.

Cemlyn Bay - one of the quieter spots on the island, great for bird-watching, car park next to the lagoon.

Porth Swtan/Church Bay - a twisty road down to the hamlet, good parking and a couple of places to eat. The beach is not wheelchair friendly but lovely views over to Holyhead, also great views on the drive down.

Melin Llynon/Llynon Mill - fully restored working windmill, the only one in Wales. Only the ground level would be accessible by wheelchair but they also have a lovely tea-room which has a stair lift. You can also buy bread and cakes made with wheat from the mill. They have also constructed two Iron Age roundhouses nearby which are a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Penrhos Nature Reserve - between Valley and Holyhead. Lots of good paths through the woods, all wheelchair accessible, very popular with dog walkers.

Holyhead Breakwater - it is possible to go right to the end of the breakwater, the longest one in UK. Might be a bit hard going pushing a wheelchair though. Also Newry beach overlooks the breakwater, it's not much of a beach but great views, lots of parking and good pavements the whole way along. Lovely cafe/restaurant at the old lifeboat station, wheelchair accessible.

South Stack Lighthouse - you can drive right to the end of the road to a car park which overlooks the lighthouse (and the hundreds of steps down to it). Great place for views, it's usually windy there so it blows away the cobwebs. Just before the end of the road is a cafe run by RSPB, wheelchair friendly and lovely views out to Trearddur area of Anglesey and across to Lleyn Peninsula.

Take the back road from South Stack towards Trearddur Bay, lots of small coves along the way with places to stop and admire the views.

Trearddur Bay - excellent promenade above the beach. The Black Seal is the best place for views over the beach.

Rhosneigr - dead quiet in winter, heaving in summer. It's not the best place to get near to the sea in a wheelchair but lots of cafes etc.

Aberffraw - pretty little village with its old bridge and you can drive down (another) narrow lane to see St Cwyfan's Church (the church in the sea)

Newborough Beach and Forest - there is a fee to get into the forest and whilst the beach is stunning, and Llanddwyn Island is spectacular, I'm not sure it's very wheelchair-friendly.

Plas Newydd - owned by the National Trust and mostly accessible.

Menai Bridge - lots of independent shops and cafes. There is a footpath down to Ynys Tysilio/Church Island. It's very steep in parts but it is definitely doable (I speak from experience). Well worth the effort to see the Menai and Britannia Bridges from a different angle. Good chance of seeing red squirrels too.

Please remember in Anglesey we can, and often do, have 4 seasons in one day so pack clothes for all possibilities

@BitOfFun, I think I've gone on long enough for today but if you have any questions then please feel free to ask

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

What a brilliant reply idontwanttodiet, Mumsnet can be so wonderful!

[SwedishEdith]

I'm keeping a note of @idontwanttodiet's list.

[BrumBoo]

Please remember in Anglesey we can, and often do, have 4 seasons in one day so pack clothes for all possibilities

The rain especially. There is a golden rule to the rain on Anglesey, if the rain clouds bypass the mountains then you're in for a whole monsoon season in one afternoon. Less April showers, more April 'holy hell is someone trying to drown us from the sky' .

[Hassled]

My knowledge of Anglesey is based on ferries to Dun Laoghaire but BOF, I can't begin to tell you how incredibly sad I am to hear your news. We've both been around on MN a long time and you were always the very best of the good guys.

Randomly I remember you and I trading quotes from the film Airplane one night, on a thread that had no connection to airplanes, Lesley Nielsen or film comedies. It's possible that wine may have been involved. I giggled to myself about it for weeks.

I can't begin to imagine how you're feeling, but I do hope the trip to Anglesey is wonderful x

[1990shopefulftm]

I grew up in North Wales, I d recommended benllech, beaumaris and I d head over to Llandudno, if it's allowed to open go to Forte's ice cream parlor and you can't go wrong with being a bit young at heart and going to one of the arcades there.

[FrankButchersDickieBow]

Newborough will always be one of my favourite places. It's beautiful

Newborough actually took my breath away it was so stunning.

It's one of my favourite places on earth.

[scryingeyes]

Such sad news.

Am also living in Angelesey and can recommend South Stack Holyhead as mentioned before , also the Breakwater Park and cafe in Holyhead.
Llangefni has a lovely gallery called Oriel Môn with a nice cafe too. For ice cream I'd go to the Red Boat in Biwmares or the Sea Shanty in Trearddur Bay.
Everywhere else has been mentioned I think. I just hope you're able to come post covid and the hospitality industry will be open for you to enjoy. If not, there are loads of SC accommodations available. Have a look at "Podiau Mon" - Penmynydd Sheppard huts, for luxury stay with fab view of the mountains.
Thinking of you x

[NoelHeadbands]

So sorry to hear this Boffy

Many fond memories of absolutely pissing my knickers every Saturday night with you and the other X Factorites.

Never been to Anglesey, but reading this thread it's now definitely on my list too.

[Eleganz]

Some fantastic castles on and near Anglesey. Would recommend them all. Benllech as others have mentioned is a fantastic beach. The Great Orme is not too far away if you fancy it and you can get a great view if the weather is clear.

[Tanaqui]

BoF , and 💕

[BitOfFun]

WOW, @idontwanttodiet, you are so brilliant! That's a mine of information- and so wonderfully helpful. Fantastic, thank you .

I am really loving the chat and recommendations on here, and I feel that a photo of the dog Rory may help focus minds...

[FlibbertyGiblets]

That Rory is a handsome chap.

[Chopchopbusybusy]

I’ve only been to Anglesey once and I was a child so can’t help at all. It does sound lovely though and I may add it to my must see list.
BOF I was on the cancer thread a while ago - with a different name - and you were so kind and helpful there. I hope you and Mr BOF have a fab trip ❤️

[Bigbigknickers]

Definitely visit Lligwy beach, it’s beautiful and if you aren’t feeling great you can park up and watch the sea from the car.

Rhosneigr is great for the beautiful beach but also watching the planes fly overhead from RAF valley.

Crab fishing at Beaumaris with a view of Snowdonia on a clear day, chips on the pier, just gorgeous.

Every time I go I want to run away and never come home. There is just something about the place.

[RJnomore1]

Hi Bof I’ve never been to Anglesey so I’m no help there but I hope you don’t mind me popping up to offer you much love and good vibes. YNWA. 💐

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

What about visiting that dickhead antique hunter bloke’s shop? I can’t remember where exactly it is but I know it’s north wales somewhere. I’d love a nosy about in there, I bet it’s ever so overpriced though.