This time, we're crossing the Menai Strait and going on a journey around Ynys Môn - The Isle of Anglesey. An OS Map will be a great help on this journey, especially when looking for the historical remains of the island!
Until the 18th century, people crossed the water in a boat or by ferry. But in 1826 the Menai Bridge - Thomas Telford's famous suspension bridge - was opened. Then, in 1850, the Britannia Bridge opened; this was Robert Stephenson's bridge for trains. In 1970, the Britannia Bridge caught fire and in 1980 opened as a bridge for both trains and road traffic.
Today, the new fast A55 road crosses the bridge on its way to Caergybi (Holyhead). This is the road for those in a hurry! But we want to see Anglesey's interesting places and the ancient monuments that are everywhere; so we'll be travelling along some of the island's old roads.
Let's begin on the A5 and travel to the small village with the long name - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (or Llanfair PG for short!). Here, at the station, you can have a cuppa, shop for souvenirs and take a photograph in front of the name. The A5 goes on to Holyhead through Gaerwen and Gwalchmai. Between Gaerwen and Gwalchmai the A5114 goes to the island's main town - Llangefni. Here, in Oriel Ynys Môn, you can learn about the island and enjoy the art gallery.
But we're leaving the A5 and following the A4080 around the coast. Here, near Llanfair PG is Bryn Celli Ddu - a Neolithic burial chamber - and Plas Newydd, which is home to the Marquess of Anglesey and a National Trust's house. At Niwbwrch (Newborough) you can see the remains of Llys Rhosyr, a medieval court of the Princes of Gwynedd. In this area, there are a number of attractions, such as Anglesey Sea Zoo, Fferm y Foel Park, Anglesey Birdworld and Newborough Nature Reserve. Near Newborough lies Llanddwyn, where Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers lived; it's a good place to enjoy the wildlife and the fun of the seaside.
On we go on the A4080 up the coast, over the Cefni River, past Aberffraw and on to Rhosneigr. On the right, all along the coast are small bays, large beaches and sand dunes - good places to enjoy wildlife and the joys of the seaside. Aberffraw is an important site that dates back thousands of years. This was also the main court of the Princes of Gwynedd and, today, in Llys Llywelyn there is a centre that tells the story of the area. If you want some noise and excitement, there's a car-racing track near Aberffraw. The remains of ancient monuments lie in the countryside around us, places such as the huge burial chamber of Barclodiad y Gawres near Rhosneigr.
Onward once more on the A4080, over the A55 and we join the A5 on our way to Fali (Valley); we turn left in Valley and follow the B4545 to Ynys Gybi (Holy Island). Drive through the village of Trearddur with its small bays and sailing boats and climb to the summit of Mynydd Twr (Holyhead Mountain). Stop here to enjoy the views and watch the hundreds of birds that nest on the cliffs. Take the opportunity to visit the RSPB exhibition in Twr Elin or walk down to the lighthouse on Ynys Lawd (South Stack). Then back we go and follow the road down to Holyhead. The ferry to and from Ireland sails from this port. Nearby are the remains of a small Roman fort and the church of Saint Cybi that dates back to the sixth century.
We leave Holyhead on the A5 and, at Valley, turn left and follow the A5025 on our journey around the north of the island - through the villages of Llanfachreth and Llanfaethlu and on to Cemaes. Near Cemaes lies Wylfa nuclear power station. We go through Porthllechog (Bull Bay) until we arrive at Amlwch. Today, the small port is quiet, but from the end of the 18th till the middle of the 19th century this place was very busy exporting copper across the world. Near Amlwch is Parys Mountain, the site of what was the biggest copper mine in the world. If you go there today, you can see the ruins of the old works.
We travel on again on the A5025 through the village of Pensarn, past the bays of Traeth Dulas and Traeth Lligwy on the left and on to Llanallgo. Near the village lies a huge cromlech and the remains of the 4th century British village of Din Lligwy. Follow the A5108 to the village of Moelfre with its harbour and famous lifeboat and visit Gwylfan Molfre to learn about Anglesey's maritime history.
Back in the car to Llanallgo and follow the A5025 to Benllech. The area is popular with visitors because of the sandy cove of Traeth Bychan and the vast sands of Traeth Coch (Red Wharf Bay). On again to Pentraeth and take a left turn along the B5109 to Beaumaris and on to Penmon. This is where Saint Seiriol came in the sixth century. Today, you can see his holy well, the remains of 12th century Penmon Priory - built on the site of Seiriol's earlier priory - and a dovecote from 1600. The remains of Saint Seiriol's church can be seen on Ynys Seiriol, the island off the tip of the point, also known as Priestholm or Puffin Island. We leave Penmon and travel back to Beaumaris. Here, in this old town by the sea, is the 13th century castle of the English King Edward 1, Beaumaris Court and Gaol - where you can learn about the troubles of days gone by - and a Museum of Childhood.
Our journey comes to an end as we travel towards the town of Porthaethwy (Menai Bridge) and Telford's famous bridge. There's one more opportunity to look over the Menai Strait and the beautiful mountains of Snowdonia rising into the blue sky!