Pentraeth
The name means 'head of the beach', although it is now some distance from the sea at Red Wharf Bay.
In the village square lies the Panton Arms, where Charles Dickens stayed in 1859 on his visit to Moelfre to report on the wreck of the Royal Charter. An extract from his report can be found on our Royal Charter page.
Just off the road leading to Beaumaris are the Three Leaps, three stones said to mark a record breaking hop, step and jump by a poet, Einion ap Gwalchmai, to win the hand of his intended love, Angharad.
Penmon
Just offshore from Black Point lies Puffin Island, or Ynys Seiriol. This island has been known by a large number of names, including Priestholm, Ynys Lannog, and Ynys Glannauc. Priesthom reflects the island's monastic history, as does Ynys Seiriol, Seiriol being a sixth century saint.
There is a church dedicated to Saint Seiriol at Penmon, with an adjoining Priory. A nearby fishpond would have been a source of food for the monks, and past the fishpond is St Seiriol's Well, or Ffynnon Seiriol.
Places P - Z
Once you have explored the five towns, then there are a large number of interesting places to visit. They are split into three groups, A-G, H-O, and P-Z.
In P-Z, you will find:
Newborough
Newborough dates back to 1295, and was created to house the inhabitants of Llanfaes, who had been evicted when Beaumaris Castle was being constructed. Most visitors to Newborough are heading for Newborough Warren or Newborough Forest. However, they will then miss an architectural gem in the village, the Grade II* listed, neo-Tudor, Prichard-Jones Institute. This impressive building was opened in 1905, and extensively restored in 2009, having featured in the BBC television series "Restoration". The building is a community centre, with a library, tea room, and function rooms. Around the forecourt are alms houses.
Newborough Warren is a nature reserve, protecting the sand dunes, the beach, the island of Llanddwyn, the Cefni saltmarshes and the Afon Braint. The warren was historically a commercial rabbit breeding area, but this petered out following outbreaks of myxomatosis.
Newborough Forest is a managed plantation mainly of Corsican pines. It covers some 2,000 acres, and is home to the rare red squirrel. There are extensive forest walks, and car parking areas, with toilet facilities. The road through the forest and down to the beach is a toll road.