Day 29: Newborough to Menai Bridge

Today we finished circumnavigating the Isle of Anglesey which gave us quite a feeling of satisfaction. It has taken us 11 days to complete the 211.5 km journey around the coast which equates to just over 19 km per day – not quite half a marathon each day although it sure did feel like it some days. 

The day started off with a mad rush to catch the bus at Menai Strait which took us to Newborough. From there we headed down a lovely farm track before crossing over some historic stepping stones over the Afon Braint, Anglesey’s longest river. The stepping stones are referred to as the Giant’s Stepping Stones, more properly known as the Rhuddgaer Stepping Stones. There appears to be little information about them and we wondered who placed them there and when. Two of the stones had recently settled on an angle which made them tricky to negotiate however we both managed to stay high and dry!

Traversing the Rhuddgaer Stepping Stones

From here we walked on some lovely paths located between two hedgerows before coming back out into open pasture with cattle grazing in them. This requires us to keep an eye on where we are going, not only to avoid large cow pats but also as the ground can be very uneven due to pugging caused by the cattle during wet weather.

Path between the hedgerows

Walking through pasture

The terrain varied throughout the day as we walked along quiet country lanes, stony beaches, and lush rolling fields with views of Snowdonia. 

Walking along stony beach near Llanidan

The path led us through fields that were cut for silage

Wandering along a leafy walkway

There were also plenty of interesting features along the way including Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and St Tysilio’s Church. 

Bryn Celli Dhu burial mound

The 15th Century St Tysilio's Church

Britannia Bridge as viewed from St Tysilio's Church yard

It felt good to finally complete our journey around the Isle of Anglesey, particularly given that we had to leave the island and then return to complete this section. Next,onward and upward to the Llyn Peninsula.

At the end of our Anglesey journey