Llanfairpwll
Llanfairpwll's claim to fame is that it has the longest village name in Britain, although it was originally simply called Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. In Victorian times, someone had the inspired idea of creating a new and record breaking name for the village to boost its attraction as a tourist venue, and that decision was clearly right, as evidenced by the tourists who continue to visit in large numbers to this day.
The record-breaking name is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch, which translates as St Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of Saint Tysilio near the red cave. It is commonly abbreviated to Llanfair P.G.
Llanddwyn Island
One of the most romantic places on Anglesey, and with spectacular views over Snowdonia, Llanddwyn is really more of a peninsula than an island, as it is only cut off from the mainland by the highest tides.
Llanddwyn is the home of Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers, and the Welsh equivalent of the English St Valentine.
Llanddwyn's location near the western approach into the Menai Straits was one of maritime significance, particularly because of the proximity of the ports at Caernarfon, Bangor, and Felinheli. This significance is reflected in the row of pilot cottages on the island, where pilots who guided boats into the ports, and particularly Caernarfon, used to live. The cannon located outside the cottages was used to summon lifeboat crews from nearby Newborough.
In addition to the pilot cottages, there are two lighthouses, Twr Bach or little tower, and, as you might expect, Twr Mawr, or big tower. Twr Mawr is distinctive in that it appears to have been modelled along the lines of an Anglesey windmill. Both lighthouses have been superceded by more modern satellite navigation techniques. Twr Mawr featured in the 2006 Hollywood film Half Light, which starred Demi Moore.
In the centre of the island lie the ruins of the church of Saint Dwynwen, dating back to the sixteenth century. There is also said to be a well nearby, but its exact location is unknown. The well was said to contain sacred fish whose movements would predict whether one's partner was likely to be faithful.
Llanddeusant
The name Llanddeusant means the church with two saints. The village lies close to the Alaw river, which supplies the power for two historic mills, Melin Llynnon, or Llynnon Mill, and Melin Howell, or Howell Mill.
Llynnon Mill, Llanddeusant
Llynnon Mill dates from 1776, and is the only working wind-powered mill in Wales. The Mill is open during the holiday season, and visitors may sample the stone-ground flour that is produced here in the adjacent Mill shop and tea room.
Howell Mill, Llanddeusant
Howell Mill was built in 1817, and restored in 1975. It is in private ownership, but access is occasionally permitted to some parts of the mill.
Llanbadrig
Llanbadrig or the Church of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Llanbadrig lies on the north coast, a short distance from the resort of Cemaes. This was said to have been founded by Saint Patrick in thanksgiving for his deliverance from a shipwreck. Nothing survives of that church, although the present structure dates back to the 14th century. Llanbadrig Church is sited on the edge of cliffs leading down to the Irish Sea. The location is impressive to say the least, and it is no surprise that it featured in the Hollywood film, Half Light, which starred Demi Moore, and which was filmed in and around Anglesey in 2006. One unusual feature of the church is the Islamic influence in the stained glass. This is a consequence of the restoration of the church in the nineteenth century by Lord Stanley, who was a Muslim.
The coastline east of Llanbadrig to Porth Wen is the most spectacular but also the most strenuous stretch of the coastal path.