Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, North Wales | The Journal Of Antiquities The Journal Of Antiquities Ancient Sites In Great Britain & Southern Ireland Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, North Wales by sunbright57 SH1209 2236. Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) or ‘the island of the currants’ lies 2 miles off the southern tip of the Lleyn Peninsula across Bardsey Sound, locally called ‘The Race of Bardsey’. Since the early 6th century AD the island has been a “Cradle of Celtic Christianity”. It apparently takes its name from Bardda, a Welsh prince, but in 516 St Cadfan came here from Brittany at the invitation of Einion, king of Lleyn, to establish a Celtic clas or monastic college.

Since that time the place has been called the holy island of Bardsey and, when 20,000 Bardsey Island Taken from Braich y Pwll – at the end of the Lleyn Peninsula (Photo credit: Wikipedia) saints were “supposedly” buried there, it’s place on the list of holy, sacred sites had been sealed and the island became a place of pilgrimage. Since medieval times three pilgrimages to Bardsey Island were equal to one pilgrimage to Rome, and many still visit the holy island even today. St Cadfan died and was buried on the island in c540 as were St Cybi and St Dubricius. Legend says that Merlin the Magician lies sleeping in an unidentified cave on Bardsey. Unfortunately, there is no trace of the Celtic monastery, the scant ruins there now are, in fact, those of the Augustinian abbey of St Mary that was founded in 1240 and, the main part of that still surviving is a ruined tower (abbots lodging) and some foundations of the abbey church. The abbey did not survive the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537.

In the ancient cemetary there are two modern Celtic crosses; the taller cross stands in memory of the third Baron Newborough and the other for the 20,000 saints who lie in un-marked graves on the island – 900 of these were monks who fled from the monastery of Bangor-is-Coed near Wrexham when it was besieged and burnt to the ground by King Ethelfrid of Northumbria in 607 AD. To the east of St Mary’s Abbey at Ty Capel is the holy well. This now supplies the island with its drinking water. Just east of Plas Bach is the hermit’s cave and near here stands the famous 1,000 year-old ‘Afal Enlli’ the Bardsey apple tree. At the northern side of the island at Penryn Gogar there are traces of round hut dwellings that belong to the Neolithic age some 5,000 years ago. At Ty Newydd farm some graves from the 10th-11th century were discovered during an archaeological excavation in 1995 along with some skeletons, one of which had a silver coin in its mouth.

52.763781 -4.787875 Bardsey Island | Lley Peninsula | Quality Cottages Leave a comment Bardsey Island view from the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula Beautiful Bardsey Island lies 2 miles off the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula in the Irish Sea where there has been a Bird and Field Observatory since 1953. Bardsey Island off the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula Bardsey is considered to have great conservation importance. The main objective of the observatory is the study of natural history, in particular monitoring of birds and migration. It also aims to help conserve the islands flora and forna and to encourage interest in nature, particularly among young people. Refreshments outside Bardsey’s only tiny little shop Ex island warden Steve Stanford gave us some advice on when to visit: Bardsey Island’s trip boat April Large numbers of willow warblers, blackcaps and whitethroats arrive early in the month. The elusive grasshopper warbler can regularly be heard singing. The chances of scarce birds are ever increasing as the month progresses and the number of returning shearwaters begins to soar and the whole island becomes a nocturnal cacophony of strange calls.

By mid-month most of the summer migrants have been seen and the resident staff and ringers are busy recording them. Later in the month the numbers of wading birds begin to increase and some stunning views of summer plumaged turnstones can be had from the hide at Solfach. At this time of the year in recent times such rarities as pine bunting, and iberian chiffchaff have been recorded, as well as more common birds such as hoopoe and wryneck. May Migration is in full swing by May. The breeding birds have almost all returned. The island is in full bloom. Butterflies are commonplace with such delights as small tortoiseshell, common blue and painted ladies flitting over the rich grasslands. Migrant birds include large numbers of warblers such as chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap and garden warbler. Sedge warblers and whitethroats sing from the withies and the buzz of the grasshopper warblers can be heard from the gorse. If you plan your trip around the new moon many of these birds can be seen as they are attracted to the lighthouse beams.

At this time of year one might be lucky enough to see golden oriole or a red-backed shrike or even a subalpine warbler. The island is now full of newborn lambs too. Choughs can always be seen in May, feeding their ever growing broods. They go to the mainland to collect food for their young. The peregrines are also active at this time of year. Some 32,000 shearwaters come ashore on dark moonless nights to lay and incubate their eggs. The noise has to be heard to be believed. All visitors, whether birders or not, are welcome to accompany the warden and his staff as they ring these birds at night time. This is an excellent opportunity to get to see these mainly pelagic birds close up and even get to hold one!! June June is one of the quietest months on the island for birds, however the warden and his staff are still busy monitoring and ringing seabirds. Oystercatchers are very noticeable around the shoreline. Adult birds give piercing calls to protect their young young. Black-headed bunting and common rosefinch have recently been seen in June.

July Early July is very quiet for birds but the island is still a wonderful place to visit. The weather is getting warmer and all is peace and tranquillity with the gentle noise of waves in the background. The farmer cuts hay and silage to store for winter feed. The start of Autumn migration has already begun with the first returning waders appearing on the beaches and the fields become full of juvenile starlings from the mainland. Later in the month the first warblers begin to arrive with sedge and willow warblers starting to increase in number. August In early August up to 4000 Willow Warblers have been recorded in one day. The trees and bushes appear full of birds. There are large numbers of flycatchers and grasshopper warblers, whinchat and other migrants too. Unpredictable winds at this time of year can blow large numbers of seabirds off course. In just one hour of viewing thousands of shearwaters can be seen passing the island with fulmars, kittiwakes, skuas, petrels, divers and scoter. In August the farmer begins to ship animals to market. Sheep are loaded onto the yellow ‘sea truck’, invented by Mr Dyson (of vacuum cleaner fame!).

They are taken on the 30 minute ride to Aberdaron and driven ashore. The Observatory staff are busy ringing the shearwater chicks and at night time, the tiny storm petrels. September As September arrives so can the strong winds often bringing fea’s petrel, wilson’s petrel and little shearwaters to the island. Large numbers of leach’s petrels can be seen if the wind turns to the northwest. Small landbirds are also moving in their hundreds with the first redwings beginning to appear. Blackbirds and song thrushes, finches, buntings and warblers are all seen in good numbers. Ringing at the Obs is now producing good numbers of sedge warblers, whitethroats and chiffchaffs with the expectation of either a vagrant from the far east or the Americas. Such individuals have included lanceolated warbler, yellow-breasted bunting and pallas’s warblers from the far east and summer tanager, yellow warbler and blackpoll from America. October October, like September is a busy time for migrants with the same range of species expected. More and more birds are moving and the chances of the island being completely covered in birds are much greater.

The curlew flock that has been building up all autumn is now at it’s peak and can number 150. Oysercatchers begin to return after their trip away from the island and migrating lapwings use the island as a staging post. Night-time attractions are an almost inevitable event during the new moon in October. Up to 40,000 birds have been recorded at one attraction with birds littering the ground like fallen leaves. Bardesey Island Boat Trips run regularly from the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula Holiday cottages Lleyn Peninsula are a great choice for all, keen birders or not. Boat trips to Bardsey Island run regularly (weather permitting). There is something going on all year round and the warden and his staff are always glad of help, day or night. Remember, the best times for birds are usually the week either side of the NEW moon, NOT during full moon. Bardsey is steeped in history The island has also been a place of pilgrimage and religious importance for centuries. Celtic Cross on Bardsey Island There is an ancient Celtic cross and the remains of a 13th century Augustinian abbey have been adapted for informal out door services.

In 1875 a chapel was built for worship and meditation. Organised retreats still take place during summer months.Day trips usually start from Porth Meudwy but sometimes from Pwllheli. You will usually have 3 1/2 hours to explore the island. Contact Bardsey Ferry on 08458 113655 or 07836 293146 Walking Break to the Lleyn Peninsula | B&I Walks Day 1: Arrive by car at Penarfynydd Farm, 5 miles west of Aberdaron. This working farm is owned by the National Trust and is located in an area of exceptional scenery overlooking Bardsey Island. The farmhouse has 2 double rooms, so would be ideal for a party of 2 couples. On your way to Penarfynydd you might like to stop off and explore some of North Wales’ many attractions such as Caernarfon or Harlech Castles. After settling into the farmhouse you might like to get your bearings by completing a short walk to nearby Rhiw Mountain. When you return to the farmhouse you can tuck in to a hearty home-cooked meal.

Please feel free to bring a bottle of wine if you wish. Day 2: After breakfast you will be driven to the pretty nearby harbour town of Abersoch, famous for its water sports. From here you will walk westwards back to Penarfynydd over the beautiful Cilan Headland and then the wide sandy expanse of Hell’s Mouth Beach. It’s then a short but steep climb up over the lower slopes of Rhiw Mountain back to Penarfynydd. For a change of scene you might like to pop out for a drink in one of Aberdaron’s pubs, the Tŷ Newydd or the Ship Hotel. Day 3: After breakfast you will be driven to the famous beach Porth Oer, also known as Whistling Sands because of the high pitched squeak caused by walking on the fine sand. From here you will walk around the Mynydd Mawr headland at the very tip of the peninsula with its stunning views of Bardsey Island. The path will then lead you back to Aberdaron.

Day 4: After checking out of the farmhouse, you might like to take the opportunity to drive to Porth Meudwy cove near Aberdaron and take the Ferry across to Bardsey Island. This peaceful little island was once the site of an Abbey, the ruins of which can still be seen. Today there are only a handful of human inhabitants, and the island is a haven for wild-life, with large colonies of seals and Manx Shearwaters. The boat fare is £25 per person return, and visitors have approximately 3 and a half hours to explore the island. The crossing is extremely weather dependant as the tidal currents are amongst the strongest in the British Isles. If the wind is unfavourable you can take a leisurely drive home exploring more of North Wales on the way. Details Price The total price for 3 night’s dinner bed & breakfast accommodation for 2 people, including transfers as detailed in the itinerary and relevent route notes and map is £340. Book Online The total price for 3 night's dinner bed & breakfast accommodation for 2 people, including minibus transport as described in the itinerary, loan of relevant maps and GPS navigation units will be £340.

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Belle-Île-en-Mer island off the south coast of Brittany, western France, 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Presqu’Île de Quiberon and administratively part of Morbihan département, Bretagne région. As an outpost of the mainland ports of Saint-Nazaire and Lorient, a citadel... Benbecula island of the Outer Hebrides, Western Isles council area, historic county of Inverness-shire, Scotland. Benbecula, whose name means “Mountain of the Fords” in Gaelic, lies between the islands of North Uist and South Uist and is connected over the fords... Bengkalis Island island in the Strait of Malacca, off the eastern coast of Sumatra, Riau provinsi (“province”), Indonesia. The island, situated about 120 miles (195 km) west of Singapore, stretches northwest-southeast for about 42 miles (68 km); its width east-west is... Biak Island largest of the Schouten Islands and part of the Indonesian province of Papua, which spans the greater portion of western New Guinea.

The island is 45 miles (72 km) long and 23 miles (37 km) wide and occupies an area of 948 square miles (2,455 square... Bikini an atoll in the Ralik (western) chain of the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. The atoll was used for peacetime atomic explosions conducted for experimental purposes by the United States between 1946 and 1958. Lying north of the Equator,... Bioko island in the Bight of Biafra (Gulf of Guinea), lying about 60 miles (100 km) off the coast of southern Nigeria and 100 miles (160 km) northwest of continental Equatorial Guinea, western Africa. The island was named after the first president of the country... Bird Island coral-covered sandbank only 15 feet (4.5 metres) high at low tide, located in the Caribbean Sea about 350 miles (560 km) north of Venezuela and 70 miles (110 km) west of Dominica. (The island is not a part of the group of Venezuelan islands of similar...

Block Island pear-shaped island coextensive with the town (township) of New Shoreham (inc. 1672), Washington county, southern Rhode Island, U.S., between Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Lying about 9 miles (14 km) south of the mainland, it is about 6 miles... Boa Vista Island easternmost island of Cape Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, 300 miles (500 km) off the western African coast. It rises to an elevation of 1,269 feet (387 metres). The chief town is Sal Rei, on the northwest coast. Salt and archil (a plant yielding a violet... Bohol island, Visayan group, south-central Philippines. The island, roughly oval in shape, lies between the Camotes Sea (north) and the Bohol Sea (south). Its volcanic core is mostly covered with coralline limestone. The rivers are short, and there are few... Bonaire island and special municipality within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in the westernmost group of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.

It lies 50 miles (80 km) north of the Venezuelan coast and 20 miles (32 km) east of Curaçao. The capital is Kralendijk.... Bonaventure Island island in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, eastern Quebec province, Canada. The island lies in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off Percé at the end of the Gaspé Peninsula. Although only 2.5 miles (4 km) long, its rocky cliffs provide sanctuary for thousands... Bora-Bora volcanic island, Îles Sous le Vent (Leeward Islands), in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It lies in the central South Pacific Ocean, about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Tahiti. The mountainous island, some 6 miles (10 km) long and 2.5 miles... Borneo island in the extreme southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest island in the world, surpassed in size by only Greenland and New Guinea. Borneo is situated southeast of the Malay Peninsula in the Greater Sunda Islands group of the...

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The main economic activities are fishing and some agriculture. Vila de Nova... Bribie Island island off the southeastern coast of Queensland, Australia, at the northern extremity of Moreton Bay. The island is 20 miles (32 km) long and from 1 to 5 miles wide and has an area of 59 square miles (153 square km). Its surface, generally low with some... British Isles group of islands off the northwestern coast of Europe. The group consists of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous smaller islands and island groups, including the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Scilly,... Bardsey Island | The Journal Of Antiquities The Journal Of Antiquities Ancient Sites In Great Britain & Southern Ireland Category Archives: Bardsey Island Easter Island, South Pacific Ocean Easter Island (Ahu-Akivi) Photo Credit: Wikipedia. Latitude: -27.1211919. Longitude: -109.3664237.

A small Polynesian island in the south Pacific Ocean far away from any major land-mass is Easter Island, only discovered in the early 18th century, but it is a very extraordinary and mysterious island of giant stone statues and rock carvings, some perhaps dating back well-over 1,000 years. Also known as Rapa Nui, the “sacred” island of the mysterious tribe that are also called by the same name and who lived here, roughly, between 400-1700 AD. There are said to be upto 1,000 small and large stone statues on the island, many are said to represent the gods or chiefs of the Rapa Nui tribes; and there are many superb petroglyphs or rock-carvings scattered about the island. The island is 10 miles across north to south and about 16 miles length-wise at the south-side; also at the south-side a line of three dormant volcanoes: Rano Kao, Punapau and Rano Raruku, while at the north another volcano called Rano Aroi; the island being made of sandstone and volcanic rock.

Easter Island, sometimes called ‘the Navel of the World’ is 1,200 miles from any other island and roughly 2,360 miles from any major land-mass – in this case the west coast of Peru. It is 1,290 miles east of Pitcairn Island. Easter Island by William Hodges 1775. Photo Credit: Wikipedia. On Easter sunday in 1722 Dutch sailors, lead by the enthusiastic seafairing admiral Jacob Roggeveen, discovered the barren, treeless island quite by chance and named it Easter Island; they were almost certainly very surprised to see huge stone heads lying on the ground. After that in 1772 Spaniards re-discovered the island and, other interested parties (and some not so interested) came to the island in the late 19th century when archaeological excavations began. In more recent times (1956) the famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) sailed to the island on his balsa-log raft, Kon Tiki.

Francis Hitching in his book ‘The World Atlas of Mysteries’ 1979, says of Heyerdahl’s expedition: “In 1956 the writer Thor Heyerdahl arranged an archaeological experiment with the mayor of Easter Island and six islanders. Using traditional methods, they carved out the contours of a new statue in three days using stone tools and gourds of water to soften the volcanic rock.” Easter Island (Rano Raraku). Photo Credit: Wikipedia. The huge (colossal) statues carved from hardened volcanic ash are called ‘moai’ and they look stern-faced inwards away from the sea, seemingly to gaze towards the horizon for eternity, some stand on ceremonial rock platforms (ahu), especially those at Akivi on the island’s west coast and Nau Nau in Anakena Bay with between 7-15 figures, many having strange top-knots (pukao) on their heads, made from red tuff rock, their eye-sockets are made from coral and the irises from red scoria rock.

In all there are nearly 900 statues (most having subtle differences in their appearences), including half-size ones and some that are unfinished, and some kneeling statues. They are said to represent the gods of the Rapa Nui. One of the statues, the ‘paro’ is 33 feet high (10 metres) and weighes in at 76 tonnes; another an unfinished statue is 69 feet high (21 metres), but there are some that are as tall as 24 metres, a staggering 78 feet! Many statues have fallen or been pushed over, maybe by the Rapa Nui tribes themselves as they knew that the end of their island culture was coming – due to a number of factors including abduction for the slave trade, war and disease – indeed by the 1870s only a hundred or so tribes-people remained, and in 1888 the island was finally annexed to Chile.

Author Justin Pollard in his excellent book ‘The Story of Archaeology In 50 Great Discoveries’ 2007, says that “By the 18th century Easter Island was almost devoid of trees and the destruction of the forest to provide wood for building and boats (and perhaps rollers for the moai) and to clear areas for agriculture led to a progressive impoverishment and erosion of the soil. These factors, together with the pressures caused by a growing population, meant that Easter Island society began to change rapidly.” There are some amazing rock carvings on the island, in particular those in the Ana Kai Tangata cave at the south-west side of the island where there are depictions of the so-called ‘birdman’ (Tangata Manu) the supreme chief. The ‘birdman’ also features on a carved rock located above the Motu Nui islet; the cultus of the birdman was centred on the island village of Oronga where there are some well-preserved houses that were lived in by the Rapa Nui, from 1500 onwards.

Thankfully the famous statues of Easter Island have been re-erected and now stare, perhaps rather less stern-faced towards ‘a new horizon.’ Today tourists and archaeologists visit Easter Island to stare and to study the huge statues and rock carvings and, at the island that is slowly ‘being lived on’ once again! Sources: Hitching, Francis., The World Atlas Of Mysteries, Pan Books Ltd, London SW10, 1979. Pollard, Justin., The Story Of Archaeology In 50 Great Discoveries, Quercus, London W1A, 2007. Strange Worlds Amazing Places, The Reader’s Digest Association Limited, London W1X, 1994. Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, North Wales SH1209 2236. Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) or ‘the island of the currants’ lies 2 miles off the southern tip of the Lleyn Peninsula across Bardsey Sound, locally called ‘The Race of Bardsey’. Since the early 6th century AD the island has been a “Cradle of Celtic Christianity”.

It apparently takes its name from Bardda, a Welsh prince, but in 516 St Cadfan came here from Brittany at the invitation of Einion, king of Lleyn, to establish a Celtic clas or monastic college. Since that time the place has been called the holy island of Bardsey and, when 20,000 Bardsey Island Taken from Braich y Pwll – at the end of the Lleyn Peninsula (Photo credit: Wikipedia) saints were “supposedly” buried there, it’s place on the list of holy, sacred sites had been sealed and the island became a place of pilgrimage. Since medieval times three pilgrimages to Bardsey Island were equal to one pilgrimage to Rome, and many still visit the holy island even today. St Cadfan died and was buried on the island in c540 as were St Cybi and St Dubricius. Legend says that Merlin the Magician lies sleeping in an unidentified cave on Bardsey.

Unfortunately, there is no trace of the Celtic monastery, the scant ruins there now are, in fact, those of the Augustinian abbey of St Mary that was founded in 1240 and, the main part of that still surviving is a ruined tower (abbots lodging) and some foundations of the abbey church. The abbey did not survive the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537. In the ancient cemetary there are two modern Celtic crosses; the taller cross stands in memory of the third Baron Newborough and the other for the 20,000 saints who lie in un-marked graves on the island – 900 of these were monks who fled from the monastery of Bangor-is-Coed near Wrexham when it was besieged and burnt to the ground by King Ethelfrid of Northumbria in 607 AD. To the east of St Mary’s Abbey at Ty Capel is the holy well. This now supplies the island with its drinking water. Just east of Plas Bach is the hermit’s cave and near here stands the famous 1,000 year-old ‘Afal Enlli’ the Bardsey apple tree.

At the northern side of the island at Penryn Gogar there are traces of round hut dwellings that belong to the Neolithic age some 5,000 years ago. At Ty Newydd farm some graves from the 10th-11th century were discovered during an archaeological excavation in 1995 along with some skeletons, one of which had a silver coin in its mouth. 52.763781 -4.787875 Bardsey Island | island, Wales, United Kingdom | Britannica.com Bardsey Island Thera Bardsey Island, Welsh Ynys Enlli, small island , with an area of 0.7 square mile (1.8 square km), off the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula, Gwynedd county, historic county of Caernavonshire (Sir Gaernarfon), Wales . It is separated from the mainland by a channel 2 miles (3 km) wide that has a strong tidal race. On this naturally protected site was the first religious house in Wales, founded by the Celtic St. Cadfan in the early 6th century; it was superseded by an Augustinian abbey.

A place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages and later a haunt of pirates, Bardsey Island is now a major British nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Graveyard and tower at the ruins of the medieval Augustinian St. Mary’s Abbey, Bardsey Island, … David Medcalf Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions.

Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: April 18, 2011 URL: Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share Aberdaron Farm Bunkhouse | Bunkhouses | Groups Aberdaron Farm Bunkhouse abc&gkijpt Z Aberdaron Farm Bunkhouse, Y Gweithdy, Anelog, Aberdaron, Pwllheli, LL53 8BT Aberdaron Farm Bunkhouse is two miles from Aberdaron village with its white-painted fishermen’s houses, sandy beach and water’s edge church. The Bunkhouse has underfloor central heating and 3 bunk rooms sleeping 8, 4 (en suite) and 3 (en suite) in a bunk and camp bed.

There is a large social room with dining tables, chairs, beanbags, TV, Nintento Wii and board games. The small basic kitchen has a hob, microwave, George Foreman cooking machine, kettle and toaster. A self service breakfast of cereal, bread, tea and coffee is provided. Bring sleeping bags or hire duvet and pillow for £3. There is a drying room with washing machine & tumble dryer and toilet & shower blocks. Whistling Sands is only 1.5 miles away and Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) lies across The Sound two miles off the tip of the Llyn Peninsula. The Island has been a place of pilgrimage since early Christianity and a boat from Aberdaron to Bardsey is a great place to see the seals. Pets allowed (with notice). Bike hire available. Holiday cottages and camping are also available on the farm.

The Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path | Folly Publications Home / Long Distance Walking Trails / The Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path The Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path £3.75 This book describes a way-marked coastal walking trail of ninety-two miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog via Clynnog Fawr, Nefyn, Aberdaron, Abersoch, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli and Criccieth. Details are also given of a link route from the Menai Bridge since the trail now forms part of a network of walking trails round the whole coastline of Wales. Starting off with flat routes mostly suitable also for cycles and wheelchairs, the trail becomes more rugged and remote as it uses parts of the ancient pilgrimage route down to Bardsey Island, which lies off the south west tip of the peninsula. The second half of the trail passes through a number of resorts and although hilly to start with gradually becomes flatter. Published in 2013 Contains 24 pages with 20 illustrations and 9 sketch maps, designed to fit the same size map case as Ordnance Survey Landranger series maps.

ISBN 1-871731-97-2 Lleyn Peninsula, Lleyn, North Wales - tourist information A tourist guide to the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales - Lleyn has history and beauty. Lleyn is where the mountains of Snowdon sweep down to the sea. Lleyn Peninsula The Lleyn Peninsula has a very different landscape to the rest of North Wales. The mountains on Lleyn fall sheer into the sea, but they are broken by wide bays and rocky coves. There are charming little fishing villages on Lleyn and white-washed farms with small, protected fields. Lleyn is a very beautiful place. The Lleyn has been populated since early times by man. You will find Iron Age hill forts, Neolithic tombs, ancient trackways and standing stones on Lleyn Bardsey Island, off the very tip of the Lleyn peninsula, was once a place of pilgrimage.

Legend has it the Merlin, of Arthurian fame, lies buried there in a suspended animation on Bardsey, ready to awake when King Arthur returns to Britain In more modern times, Lleyn was the birthplace of David Lloyd George (at Criccieth) and T E Lawrence (Tremadog) A gazetteer follows of what to see in Lleyn Aberdaron Almost the end of the Lleyn peninsula, though you can get further west by following the National Trust's two mile track to Uwchmynydd, a superbly wild headland with views to Bardsey Island off Lleyn. In fact Aberdaron was once the port for the pilgrims going to Bardsey, today it is a very pleasant village, with narrow winding streets and a pub worth a stop at for lunch Abersoch Known foremost for sailing, Abersoch's harbour and estuary on the south side of the Lleyn, are choc a bloc with sailing craft of all shapes and sizes. If you do not want to sail, then there are plenty of sandy beaches, or try a spot of mackerel fishing off the St Tudwal Islands - the sea off Lleyn is rich in fish.

The St Tudwal Islands themselves are privately owned, but there are regular trips from Abersoch to view the caves and seabirds round the islands. The next bay, Hells Mouth Bay (Porth Neigwl) occupies the south facing cusp at the end of the Lleyn. It is known for its strong rip tides, that grind the boulders on the beaches Criccieth Guarded by the ruins of a 12th century castle on the cliffs above, Criccieth has been relatively unspoilt by modern developments. The south facing resort on the Lleyn, is very sheltered, and has good sand and shingle bathing beaches The local name is David Lloyd George, born and lived just outside Criccieth, he is buried at Llanystumdwy a few miles away, where there is also a Lloyd George museum. Lleyn is a mecca for those researching Lloyd George Nefyn The town has a long history, dating from Saxon times, continuing with a visit by Edward I in 1284. While 4 miles away is the old smuggling port of Porth Dinllaen on the north Lleyn coast.

And four miles north of the town there is a magnificent walk up to the Iron Age encampment, the Town of the Giants (Tre'r Ceiri), from where you get panoramic views Porthmadog Porthmadog is your entry point to the Lleyn Peninsula At the mouth of the River Glaswyn, the twin towns of Porthmadog and Tremadog, were built on reclaimed land by a local MP in the 19th century. Today there is a picturesque harbour and sandy bathing beaches. Shelly, the poet, was a regular visitor here, and is said to have written "Queen Mab" in the area. Portmeirion Portmeirion is close to Porthmadog at the base of the Lleyn. Built by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is something altogether different. Started in 1926, its design is based on Portofino in Italy. Gardens were planted with exotic plants (which grow well in the mild climate in Lleyn) , an Italian campanile, castle and lighthouse were built. The hotel is today the centre of the village life, and many of the buildings are available for rent.

Film makers have naturally been interested in Portmeirion, particularly the Prisoner, the cult series of the 60's. Noel Coward wrote Blythe Spirit at Portmeirion Pwllheli Pwllheli is the largest resort on the Lleyn Peninsula. The five mile sweep of South Beach has led to the development of a modern seaside resort at Pwllheli. The town's harbour is a good base for sea fishing the seas off Lleyn - mackerel, bass and pollack in particular. Lleyn offers you the best of Wales - history and scenery

Question: Which island lies two miles off the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula?
Answer: Bardsey