Anglesey
This island off the coast of North Wales abounds with puffins, seafood and picturesque views
DAY ONE What to do
Nature lovers will be in their element on the Isle, where 220 square miles have been named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The coastal wildlife is particularly amazing – look out for porpoises, choughs and kittiwakes. Take a 75-minute cruise around the uninhabited Puffin Island – no prizes for guessing what you might spot there! If you prefer to explore from the saddle, there are numerous bike routes (many flat) which will take you past ancient burial mounds, standing stones, a castle and the village with the world’s longest name. Puffin Island cruises cost £9pp. Call 01248 810251 or visit www.starida.co.uk Download a free bike route leaflet from www.visitanglesey. co.uk
Where to eat
Push the boat out with a ‘culinary experience’ at Sosban and the Old Butchers. Set within a historical butcher’s shop it’s an amazing place to experience local produce at its best – from seafood to flavoured salts. The dinners are very pricey, but Saturday lunch is £40pp, which, although expensive, includes between eight and 12 small courses. Call 01248 208131 or visit www.sosbanandtheold butchers.com
Where to stay
For a charmingly rustic weekend, check into Cremlyn – it’s a farmhouse B&B set in the pretty Welsh countryside and surrounded by farmland, but only 1.5 miles from the town of Beaumaris. There’s a lovely lounge as well as a cellar with a snooker table and table tennis. From £45pp including breakfast. Call 01248 810420 or visit www.cremlynfarm.co.uk
DAY TWO What to do
Take some other-worldly photos on the strangely lunar landscape of a former mine. Once the largest copper mine in the world, the town of Amlwch was the site of the ‘copper rush’ which was just as wild as the American gold rush. Visit the Copper Kingdom Centre to find out more. Then get closer to God with a pilgrimage to the atmospheric clifftop Llanbadrig Church, which is rumoured to have been founded by St Patrick himself, and has been a religious site since 440AD. Copper Kingdom tickets £5.50 adults, £4.25 children. Call 01407 830298 or visit www. copperkingdom.co.uk
Where to eat
Stop for lunch at gastropub The White Eagle in Rhoscolyn, which was a favourite haunt of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when William was stationed at RAF Valley. They specialise in traditional British dishes, as well as local meat and oysters. Call 01407 860267 or visit www.white-eagle.co.uk