Anglesey AONB (AHNE Ynys Môn) in Wales, United Kingdom - map and visitor information

Research checked: October 21, 2026.

Anglesey National Landscape protects much of the coast of Ynys Môn, the island off northwestern Wales. Also known by its former designation, Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is a lived-in coastal landscape of cliffs, coves, beaches and dunes. Plan a visit around a particular walk, beach or reserve rather than treating the whole area as one attraction with a single entrance.

Highlights

The Anglesey Coast Path offers a way to explore different stretches of the shoreline. Choose a section that suits your available time and walking ability: the complete island route is about 125 miles (201 kilometers), not a short circuit of one park. The official tourism overview highlights coast between South Stack and Puffin Island, including heathland, beaches and bird-rich mudflats.

Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest provides a more focused starting point for dunes, woodland and the coast around Ynys Llanddwyn. Holyhead Breakwater Country Park offers a different visit, centered on a former quarry and the island's maritime history.

Know before you go

Parking and seasonal access

Coastal safety

Ynys Llanddwyn can be cut off at high tide. Check tides and weather before walking there. Newborough has no lifeguard service; keep away from soft estuary mud.

Visit responsibly

Follow the Countryside Code: keep access routes clear, leave gates as you find them, take litter home and prevent dogs from disturbing livestock or wildlife. Coastal protection does not make every parcel of land freely accessible. Use public routes and follow local instructions.

At Newborough, camping and open fires are prohibited. On Ynys Llanddwyn, keep dogs on short leads and marked paths from April 1 through September 1. Dogs are excluded from the Blue Flag beach area from May 1 through September 30; follow the site's boundary signs.

Maps, location, and access

Select your destination before setting off. Newborough is a different starting point from Holyhead or the east coast; the site's general map point is not a universal entrance. Consult the Visit Wales National Landscapes overview when choosing which part of the coast to explore.

Other protected places on Anglesey

• Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest is a southern-island option with signed access to the beach car park.
• Holyhead Breakwater Country Park is an option when visiting Holyhead and the western end of the island.
• Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve is reached on foot from Capel Coch. It has no reserve car park, so it needs different access planning from Newborough.

Things to do

Build your day around a manageable coast-path section or a particular beach. At Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, explore the former industrial setting alongside the coast. For a contrasting inland habitat, consult the official information for Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve before planning a walk.

Facilities and accessibility

The Newborough visitor page lists toilets, picnic facilities and accessibility details. Check your specific trail and car park; facilities vary between destinations.

About the National Landscape

Protected coastal character

The coastal designation dates to 1966 and was confirmed in 1967. Its purpose is to protect scenic coastal character and varied habitats from unsuitable development. The area includes communities and working land as well as places visited for recreation.

Habitats and wildlife

Rocky shores, sand dunes and coastal wetlands support different communities of plants and animals. Choose a specific reserve for more detailed wildlife information, and keep enough distance to avoid disturbing the species you have come to see.

Official information

Start with the Isle of Anglesey County Council National Landscape page for the designation and local authority. For facilities or access at a particular reserve, use that destination's managing authority.