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Dog friendly Anglesey

Wales is the most dog friendly place I have visited. So many pubs, restaurants, cafes allow our furry friends inside. Which make it, for me and my family, the best holiday destination. We go to Anglesey because of its beautiful coastline. The choice of walks is amazing. We have short walks wherever we stay and there is still more too see. We have recently walked the Rhoscolyn headland in October and the weather was spectacular for this time of year. After the 4 mile circular walk, we had a lovely reward of a meal at The White Eagle. We had booked for us 3 adults and our 2 chihuahuas but sadly we lost our eldest earlier in October. He was very poorly and as much as the whole he has left is huge, it was the best thing for him. So our other chihuahua definitely made up for it and had the seat to herself with a her very own steak supper! The staff were so friendly and had dog biscuits and water for all the pooches. The meal was a special meal too, my birthday!! It was very tasty – I recommend the White Eagle burger. As this is a very popular pub, and rightly so , booking is recommended to make sure you can eat and enjoy this lovely place.

So many places have been welcoming with our dogs. Too many to mention. But it just makes me keep wanting to go back.

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My First Blog Post

Hi, My name is Elaine. I love to travel but as I’ve got older (age 51 if you must know) my fears have grown. Fears of flying, fears of leaving the house. Missing my dogs is a hard one. So, I wanted to Holiday closer to home. I am married with one teenage daughter so it had to be a holiday we could all get something out of. Then we found Anglesey. At my age I pretty much know what I like and what I don’t like. I love my comfort and I love being close to the sea. So we have been very lucky to find so many beautiful cottages close to the sea and in some stunning locations. Places which I would love to share and hopefully give you inspiration to visit this beautiful island.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

Beaches

My Chihuahuas don’t mind the beach but they really don’t like getting their dainty little paws wet. I absolutely love the beach, the waves are so relaxing and all my worries disappear the minute I am by the coast. I love standing in the water as the tide comes and goes even when it’s freezing. So both chihuahuas tend not to follow me into the water, they usually just stand and stare and probably wonder what I’m doing.

My favourite most amazing view of all the beaches is Llanddwyn Island. You walk through forest and catch sight of Mount Snowdon through the trees, to then land on the most perfect sands.

This beach is absolutely huge, it’s spans a very long distance from the island through to Newborough and the winter months are great for walking the dog, due to birds nesting in the summer.

We were lucky to stay in the cottage on the estuary in Aberffraw. They had the an amazing view every morning. No-one could believe we were still in the UK! What do you think?

I loved the fact it was ever changing. The estuary would fill up twice a day so you had to walk around to reach the beach, but when the tide went out I love walking through what was left of the water to the waters edge.

The coastal path from here takes you to the ‘church in the sea’ St Cwyfans church. It’s a lovely headland walk leading to some sheltered coves then to the main beach.

Porth Nobla beach is a smallish beach, but once the sea is out you can walk from here to Rhosneigr, this is a stunning walk, it takes in a bit of the headland and crosses a small River leading to the sea which has a bench that was awarded Kingsmill lunch with a view. It is a stunner.

Penrhos country park or coastal park as it’s sometimes known completely surprised us. After walking through the forest watching the red squirrels we came across an open expanse of sand, we walked out to a beautiful beach. I did not expect that at all.

This park had so much to offer. There are sculptures dotted around the park. A pet cemetery. Lots a wildlife. It’s great for kids and pets.

Scrats last holiday

August 2019. Scrat has just come out of hospital for the second time this year due to his breathing. His heart problems were escalating and his energy levels were depleting. I knew this would be our last time as a family with 2 chihuahuas. The once VERY active little boy who could walk for miles now had to be carried in a pet sling after a ten minute walk.

So we set off for Cemaes Bay a beautiful cottage, not too far from the coast. Our plans were quite loose as we didn’t know how much we would accomplish.

Cemaes Bay is a lovely little town but the main beach does not allow dogs in the summer months. So we had to stay to the left side beach. This was a little rocky but we found a beautiful path up the cliffs to walk along the headland.

The sea air makes you want fish and chips so you have to do it… Don’t you? Cemaes Bay chip shop is delicious.

Next stop, Amlwch. The creek at Amlwch is a place that I have always wanted to find. This time we did it. There is quite a big clearing to park your car and an obvious path walking down to the sea. After about a ten minute walk the view opens up…

Absolutely stunning place. Just listening to the waves crash was so relaxing. We let the dogs have a little walk on the headland, get some fresh air. I will never tire of this view.

Next day we decided to treat ourselves. The is an old windmill called Mellin Llynon on Anglesey that had been lovingly restored and is now the only working windmill on the island. The owner is a very artistic patisserie chef who produces the most amazing cakes.

The was a circular walk which started here at Mellin Llynon, we did try it but it was slightly overgrown in places which made it hard to pass. Scrat was tired at this point though so we retraced our steps. Any room in that pet sling for two?

Our last day we went to Cemlyn Nature Reserve. I was extremely hot so we had to make sure the dogs drank enough water. Due to the tablets Scrat was taking he was always thirsty. There were lots of birds nesting in the marshes so we stayed away from them, instead taking to the headland. Viewing The Skerries in the distance. Scrat just wanted to stop and sniff everything so we put the blanket down and let him do his thing! Kady just follows.

After a hard day taking in the views of Anglesey we prepared to go home .

We have since been back to Anglesey without Scrat, it wasn’t the same as I miss my little buddy so much. But Kady still wants her holidays and we want her to enjoy everything Scrat enjoyed.

Holyhead Breakwater

You can see the Holyhead Breakwater from Holyhead mountain and it’s definitely long. 1.7 miles long to be exact. So I wanted to walk this before the winter set in and it was too cold. So off we set with our lazy chihuahua (who only managed to walk approximately half a mile, and was carried in a pet sling for the rest)

There is a small car park in the lane before the Breakwater country park which was really handy. Wasn’t far to walk before we reached the Breakwater. It’s a feat of engineering, and a long long walk to the end.

I was a little disappointed at the weather the day we visited. I wanted to be a bit weather beaten and feel like I had battled the elements in the middle of the Irish Sea, but it was really still and calm and not cold at all.

It didn’t actually take that long to walk the full 1.7 miles. It was a great view of the Irish Ferries in the port being loaded with passengers. Holyhead Lighthouse is at the end of the Breakwater, the waves had been crashing over the wall as the concrete was extremely wet and sandy. It had gone quiet when we reached the end.

As if it was timed, the ferry began to leave the port. They are huge and sailed very close to there lighthouse. Off on it’s journey on they Irish Sea to Dublin. So we turned around and headed back for another 1.7 miles.

Holyhead Breakwater Country Park offers so many more walks, we were spoiled for choice. More reason to return. Holyhead mountain is our next adventure, it takes in North stack Lighthouse….. I’m sure Kady my chihuahua can muster another half mile walk.

AMLWCH

The first time I drive through Amlwch I felt like a wanted to stay here. I’ve since found out my husband’s paternal family lived in Amlwch. I don’t know what the pull of it is but I like it. It’s a coastal town well known for its copper mines. The most iconic place to visit is Parys Mountain. Famed for its unusual landscape, it’s what is left of the large copper mines.

The landscape has been used in movies and TV shows as it looks almost alien. It’s a great walk back in history to see how prosperous Amlwch once was.

Amlwch port is also pretty special because the copper its added a special tint to the waters of the port.

I highly recommend the Quays cafe in Machine Street, we sat outside with the two dogs and we had the most filling bacon, brie and cranberry toastie ever! Very friendly staff, can’t wait to go again very soon.

Time for food

If we have planned a walk, hike we usually take a little picnic. Rice with Tuna, onion and sweetcorn is a personal favourite. But there’s nothing better than trying a small local business and had to be dog friendly so we can all sit together. Bryn Celyn farm in Dulas was a delicious find. They have sharing platters with s choice of pork pies, homity pie, scotch eggs and piccalilli, all homemade. Our dogs were very welcome and they owners were very welcoming. We will definitely have to go back though as the roast dinners looked amazing. This whole area of Dulas was a lovely day out. Lligwy beach is on the doorstep. It has such a vast expanse of sand that leads to traeth y ora. We wanted to walk towards the afon goch estuary to see the ship wrecks but the tide was in and we couldn’t pass. On the way home we had a sweet tooth moment. Tyddon Mon was around the corner, we had heard the pancakes were delish. They offer a five stack or a three stack with nutella….mmmm and it’s all run as a community project, none profit.

Llanddwyn Island

Llanddwyn Island, the island of love, famous for the celebration of lovers. St Dwynwens day, the Welsh equivalent to St Valentine’s Day, 25th January. It’s also THE MOST stunning place you will ever see.

The walk starts at the car park for Newborough Warren. Which costs £5.00 for parking but does have some great amenities. Toilets, food van and plenty of parking spaces.

There are dog restrictions during the summer months, so dogs are not allowed on the beach past a certain point due to nesting birds, but after October 1st dogs are allowed all over. The walk takes you either through the woods or across the beach…. Either way the view is undeniablely the best view. Mount Snowdon dominates the view, against the azure blue waters of the Menai. There is a vast expanse of sand which grows as the tide goes out making it possible to gain access to Llanddwyn Island.

Both of our dogs loved this walk as it had a mixture of forest, sand, rocks, hills and then some. The gates are iconic on the island and once through them it’s completely magical. Shell paths lead the way to abandoned churches and lighthouses. The pilot cottage have recently been used in a local TV program showing how life was is 1900. There are so many little coves with stunning beaches where you are completely alone. Lovers visit the island on January 25th and propose to their loved ones near St Dwynwen Well, I couldn’t imagine a more romantic place.

This is, for me, the most picturesque place on earth. It feels so free and my two dogs loved it. As it is tidal do keep an eye on the time and know the tides. We managed to spend quite a few hours, had a picnic and explored.

Can’t wait to go back.

Aberffraw

After we had stayed at Porth Nobla in October 2018. We decided to stay a little further down the West coast for the summer 2019 break. We chose Aberffraw. A beautiful little cottage on the estuary. The perfect place and what a view. Stunning Mount Snowdon was the backdrop with the estuary in the foreground. This place is very special to me for a few reasons. It was one of the last holidays with our family pet, our best friend, aged only 10 he was slowing down and had heart problems but he loved his holidays. So sadly the long walks had now become short walks then carried in his pet sling, but we all still had a great time. July 2019 was very hot, we had a heatwave the week we were there, but it was cool and quiet on the beach. I had lost my mum a few months prior to our holiday and had decided I would spread her ashes on my favourite Island. We chose a small cove just past Aberffraw and it was the first time we caught sight of dolphins jumping out of the sea….. magical!

The walk from Aberffraw to Cwyfan’s Church follows the headland and takes on some amazing views. The Church literally is ‘the church in the sea’. The tide was out and we managed to climb the stairs and take it all in. It’s so beautiful and the church is used occasionally for weddings, it’s stunning. We managed to find our way back to our cottage via the road which took another view of the church. I think this is one of my favourite places on Anglesey.

Places to stay

Over the years we have stayed in so many cottages, hotels, caravans etc.. not all of them good. We have cut some holidays short due to very uncomfortable beds or extremely dirty accommodation. After lots of searching for the perfect place to stay we found Boltholes and Hideaways. They are based on Anglesey and every cottage we have stayed in has been spot on. We take our dogs and they have plenty of choice of dog friendly accommodation. If you are a dog lover you will find Anglesey has so many dog friendly places to stay, eat, drink, so you can bring your beloved pet everywhere.

Our first Bolthole stay was Cable cottage not far from Rhyd Wyn. We were right on the beach and direct access to the coastal path, what more could you ask for… Well the cottage was amazing. The extra touches and thought that goes into making your stay special. The log fire, the Aga and picture window with a seat … Bliss. The view from the sitting room window was beautiful especially at sunset. The most perfect stay. How could you top that? Porth Nobla definitely came close. It’s that cottage. The one everyone takes a photo of. So small but perfect in every way. My two dogs loved the walks from this cottage. Rhosneigr to the right and Porth Trescastell to the left with an ancient burial mound in between.