History of Anglesey
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Trefignath burial chamber near HolyheadPeople have lived on Anglesey for many thousands of years, back into prehistory. The ancient inhabitants left many stone menhirs or standing stones for us to marvel at - you wonder how many of our buildings will be around in a few thousand years to impress them in the future!
The earliest inhabitants were druids, whose rich and mysterious culture was only overrun by the Romans in the 1st century CE, after several attempts at subduing the natives. Roman rule continued until the withdrawal to Rome in the 5th century, and after that the island reads like a 'who's who' of conquering tribes and peoples - the Irish, Scots, Vikings, Saxons and Normans all made their mark, before Edward I of England finally took possession in the 13th century.
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The imposing walls of Beaumaris CastleBut try as he might, Edward couldn't stop Anglesey being its own place. The sense of tradition and continuity is very strong on the island, and you're bound to feel this during your stay.
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The old copper mines of Parys MountainToday, Anglesey is a thriving, busy island. Large industries have largely come and gone, the biggest leaving behind the remarkable Parys Mountain - this was the largest copper mine in Europe for may years, and the copper it produced kept the Royal Navy's ships free from barnacles and worms as they fought the French and the Spanish and just about anyone who got in their way! The 'mountain' has largely gone, as you might expect, but it's still a striking sight. Farming is still important on Anglesey, and the patchwork of small fields marches across the landscape, making it a pretty place to see.