Anglesey Lighthouses: The Complete Guide

Discover Anglesey Lighthouse, the picturesque location, views, history and advice on how to plan your ideal trip.

I remember properly seeing South Stack Lighthouse not through a photograph, or on the gram, but for real with all that wind trying to steal my hat, and me..

I had arrived at Holy Island way too late to catch the white tower and the cafe I had expected to be there. Instead, I was greeted with 400 steps clinging to a cliff edge, gannets in the sky seemingly running the show (they have rights over most of the territory), and a lighthouse ridiculously placed on the sheer cliff that actually made me burst out laughing – largely due to delight and partially terror as I was halfway up the ladder to get to it.

And that was how began the relatively fanatical two-year quest for every single lighthouse around Anglesey; I genuinely wouldn‘t have changed a wet, gusty minute.

If you’ve reached this page by googling “Anglesey lighthouse” then you are one of two sorts of people – one of the sort who knows which Anglesey lighthouse I mean (more likely South Stack, than anything else) or of the sort who hadn’t realised there was more than one and are now curious to find out more.

Below is what I‘ve found about Things to Do in Leland MI: 25 Best Hidden Gems.

Thus, the Question Arises; How Many Lighthouses on Anglesey are there in fact?

And whether the first Anglesey lighthouse that caught your eye is the one you just can‘t tear your gaze from, you could be heading in to a new passion. I was.

The answer is fairly simply. There are four must-see lights for a visitor to Anglesey. The South Stack light, Point Lynas light, the Penmon light (Trwyn Du) light and the Skerries light.

The island also hosts a few minor lights of navigaton. Not a place to go on a trip but still interesting for those who appreciate lighthouses.

Each has its own personality as far as you can say a stone tower has one.

The famous one is South Stack. It‘s the one which is most frequently featured on calendars and coffee table books of Wales.

Penmon is the more laid back and hospitable one; you would probably turn up to it with a hip flask and a cuppa.

Point Lynas is the anti-conformist, partially secret one. You really feel like you‘ve stumbled onto a film set.

And Skerries? Skerries feels very much like the wild west and you know you really cannot get right up to it on foot.

More like a family of brothers.

South Stack is the show-off loud mouth of the party. Penmon is the nice solid man, someone you actually want a pint with. Point Lynas is the aloof, quite genius artist; who often disappears for 6 months and reappears with something magnificent.

The one you never see is Skerries the one who lives way out of town.

South Stack Lighthouse: The One Everyone‘s Thinking Of

Let‘s start with perhaps the most famous of all:

If you‘re like me then you probably googled “Anglesey lighthouse” and this is quite close to the picture in your head.

Imagine a white tower in a barren little island surrounded by sharp cliffs and battered by the sea.

Location and Access

The south stack is situated off the Holy island about 2 miles off Holyhead and is at the westernmost tip of Anglesey.

It is about a 45-minute drive to Menai Bridge, although this depends on traffic conditions.

Can I go to South Stack Lighthouse?

Yes, this is when my knees started to object.

To reach the lighthouse itself, a suspension bridge must be traversed, however previous to that there are approximately 400 steps carved into the cliff-face.

I‘ll level with you. It is not a leisurely stroll.

My first run: every other step stopped. No worries.

But, all this is surely quite an achievement for every wheeze.

Depending on the time of year and luck with the weather puffins nest here between April and July. RSPB South Stack nature reserve has a hide at nearby Ellin‘s Tower too.

Opening Times and Cost

Trinity House looks after the lighthouse. It is sometimes open during the season, usually between April and September.

The times are always different so I would absolutely recommend phoning to see what‘s on!

It doesn‘t look good, to turn up on your own, in front of a closed gate, as I did once; I felt rather ridiculous.

Usually, there‘s a small entrance fee. Entrance into the tower is also charged for climbing.

Why South Stack Is Worth Visiting

South Stack is a brilliant cliff and sea location. It also has many historical links.

The present lighthouse is from 1809. The keepers originally went to and from their house by basket over a huge chasm.

An even better place to really understand this incredible sight is actually see the working beacon.

This is an automatic lighthouse that shows vessels through one of the most perilous stretch of the Welsh coast.

My Advice for Visiting

Try and time your visit with the sunset, if possible.

This is a 400-step climb which I did in almost complete darkness on my last ever attempt up them. I cannot really recommend this night-time adventure.

The setting sun was shining off the tower though, and it caused one of those “this is why I do this” moments.

Penmon Lighthouse: The Easy, Elegant One

While South Stack might be the dramatic sister; Penmon Lighthouse (whose actual name is Trwyn Du Lighthouse) is the sister who just turns up as if she didn‘t bother to.

Location and Access

Penmon is situated at the far east tip of Anglesey, slightly inland from Beaumaris, overlooking Puffin Island, or Ynys Seiriol as it is known.

Here it is easy to find.

Parking is on the left, directly opposite Penmon Point. There is a small parking charge. Fairly level.

There is a nice and easy stroll along the shore to get to a suitable viewpoint.

Visiting Penmon Lighthouse

No. It is possible to view this lighthouse externally, it is not possible to enter the building.

This is a conventional black and white striped lighthouse. The tower is situated on a small tidal rock immediately offshore.

It is joined to the mainland by a small causeway, which is only reachable when the tide is out.

Even then I would advise the first port of call would be the tide times.

I can‘t honestly see myself making plans to be marooned on an island with a lighthouse prior to the ultimate “before I kick it” day at least it‘s not on mine and I bet it isn‘t on yours.

Why Penmon Is Worth Visiting

Realistically? It is quite nice.

For some reason, Penmon “wows” me more than South Stack although South Stack is more dramatic.

There is a good place to sit on the beach with coffee and watch them [seals]. They commonly came out of the water onto the rocks surrounding the Puffin Island.

And so this is Penmon.

You must bring food with you on a picnic. I have had no other option and taken food with me on many occasions.

This is the lighthouse equivalent of a too-cozy jumper.

Nearby Penmon Attractions

Penmon Priory and the old dovecote may be worth a quick detour if you are in the vicinity.

The priory was originally established in the 6th century. In the 17th century this enormous dovecote housed near a thousand pigeons.

I appreciate this isn‘t very exciting, but it interests me.

Point Lynas Lighthouse: The One Not Many People Talk About

This is my own wildcard guess.

This is the one I tell my friends about when they say they‘ve “done” Anglesey lighthouses.

Where to Find Point Lynas

Point Lynas stands on a headland overlooking the town of Amlwch on the north coast of Anglesey.

The greater part of the visitors ignore this region. They move to the more visited sites on the west and south of the island.

Access and Coastal Walk

This begins to get much more interesting.

The lighthouse is located within a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Normally it is not possible to walk all the way up to the building.

Nevertheless, the headland itself is worth it.

There is a coastal path that you can walk and look across the sea.

At the right time of the year they might even show up in the water below. Sometimes they flop onto the rocks as if looking at you look at them.

Why Point Lynas Is Worth Visiting

Point Lynas doesn‘t look like any other “tourist attraction”, and really that‘s what‘s great about it.

I also remember, in balcony form, on a dingy Tuesday afternoon. There wasn‘t practically anyone there, just breezy gulls and this little stocky beacon.

Quietly prevented skippers from going over to the crags

It‘s not just about the lighthouse you see when you get to the top though. It‘s the whole experience, the journey up, being on your own and feeling like you‘ve discovered somewhere the masses haven‘t discovered yet.

It‘s a bit of a funny little example, but:

In that same vein of the main headliner, South Stack really does appear on your calendar.

Point Lynas, the little acoustic set out back in the other tent which no one else was paying attention to it is quite possible this is the set you will talk about afterward.

Skerries Lighthouse: The One You‘ll Only See From Afar

The skerries, where are they?

The Skerries is a very small group of rocks a little over 2 miles to the NW of Anglesey, off the coast of Carmel Head.

Is It Possible to Go and See the Skerries?

Actually, no.

The islands themselves are inaccessible to the general public. The islands are a nature reserve and nesting ground for seabirds.

The islands would typically be restricted.

From a boat trip you can also view the lighthouse. Local operators run wildlife and coastal boat trips that come close.

You can also get a good view on the mainland and take binoculars with you.

So why come to the Skerries?

The Skerries have one of the most surprising early histories among the islands featured on this list.

The landowner who lived next to this passing land put up the light in the 1700s and privately maintained it. In order to make profit, he charged any passing ship a fee for safe passage through these rocks.

Fantastic history snippet.

I rather admire the audacity of that “pay up or sail blind” approach.

Trinity House eventually took ownership of the lighthouse like many British lighthouses.

If you are prone to flights of fancy, then the Skerries would make a nice one to hear about.

It‘s not always necessary to physically visit the place for you to remember your trip vividly.

Which Anglesey Lighthouse to Visit

I get asked this a lot, so let me break it down simply:

If you fancy a good old epic shot and don‘t mind getting off the beaten path, it has to be South Stack.

Traveling with the children, older members of your party or just after a relaxed afternoon then Penmon is the place to go.

Want to find somewhere remote and away from the masses? Point Lynas.

Captivated by the maritime past and would rather enjoy looking at the boats from a distance? Skerries.

If you only have a day to explore Anglesey it would have to be South Stack.

If you have 2 days use this in combination with Penmon.

The two sites are about a forty-minute drive from each other. They do however represent very different coastal experiences.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Here are a few things that I have learned the hard way, so that you don‘t have to:

Check the Tide Times

Make a note specifically of the tides at Penmon.

The causeway is covered by the tide, and I‘ve watched over a dozen slightly bewildered tourists realize this, after the fact.

Wear Appropriate Footwear

On South Stack I used a pair of, well used trainers.

Half way down the steps and I had managed to make them wonderfully slippery with the sea spray.

Moral of the story.

Bring Layers

Wear layers, even in the summer.

Weather onAngleseyis rather independent. It can seem quite pleasant and sunny while in the car park, but turn into a gale by the time you get to the lighthouse.

Plan Around Wildlife

Arrange your holiday to take place in time with the wildlife as much as possible.

From April to July, the Puffins, along with other sea birds, can be very active at South Stack.

You can normally see seals here throughout the year at Penmon.

Combine Your Visit With the Coastal Path

It encircles the island.

It has small and enjoyable walks around each light. This would be a suitable choice if you are looking for a short outing.

And wouldn‘t we want this on a day out?

Final Thoughts From the Cliff Edge

And so no matter which Anglesey lighthouse you end up in front of I can guarantee it will be worth a look!

There‘s something enigmatic about lighthouses.

They really worm their way into you once you‘ve heard of them.

You are wondering about their positions. Why in these places, in exactly those parts of the sea which are most enraged, did they build them?

They perform work, most of us will never comprehend completely. Especially obvious when on a boat in adverse conditions and just desperately wishing we were close enough to touch.

Anglesey‘s own lighthouses have their own interpretation of that tale.

South Stack, all out of the top of a cliff.

From a small hidden place on the island Penmon tells of the same generosity.

The point of Lynas, that will whisper it in the ear of anyone who takes the trouble to hike to it.

And Skerries stays a bit away altogether.

My Favourite Anglesey Lighthouse

This is, to be honest, somewhere I have returned more times than I care to count.

And I get the same chill as well whenever I see that menacing white tower against the gray sea. The wind really does have a will of its own to conquer the vastness out there.

So if you walk away with nothing else from this, I want you to take this:

Choose at least one lighthouse.

Go at the time of the day the weather is shaking world to a good deal.

Just hold off a little longer before you start taking your beautiful lighthouse shots.

These structures have remained vigilant for centuries. They‘re not moving anywhere.

Look carefully please.