Orientation

Rhoscolyn view at beachAnglesey is an island located off the coast of mainland North West Wales. Y Stabl is located in the rural area of Rhoscolyn, which is a rural area on the south side of Holy Island, and is set within the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  Y Stabl is a short walk to the Rhoscolyn beaches, the Anglesey Coastal Path (a 125-mile walking route around the island), and local pub The White Eagle.

 

An interactive Google Map showing location of Y Stabl and Rhoscolyn is shown below.  See our Locate Us page for more detailed directions, and travel options to Rhoscolyn/ Holyhead by car, rail, ferry or air.


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Rhoscolyn

Holiday-makers and locals have been returning to Rhoscolyn for generations, and according to our old copy of Anglesey Official County Guide (1962 edition):

Rhoscolyn coastal walk "Rhoscolyn is a small agricultural hamlet lying on the coast at the head of the loop road between Trearddur Bay and Four-Mile Bridge.  It nestles in a shallow amphitheatre, open to the south and formed by the junction of the New Harbour and South Stack series of rocks, a fact which is responsible for the excellent quality of its spring water.  Its climate is exceptionally equable even for Anglesey, ranking only second to Sidmouth in South Devon.  It is protected from the cold points of the compass; fog and frost are rare and snow almost unknown in any quantity.  The village has a horseshoe bay of firm sand, ideal for children and and affording safe bathing and yachting.  Fishing from boat or rock, shrimping and prawning are favourite occupations of visitors.  The coastline otherwise is of rugged cliffs stretching towards Cymyran Strait in the one direction and towards Trearddur Bay in the other and is a paradise for the botanist since the cliffs are rich in wild flowers, some of which are rare.  There are many fine walks for those who like a quiet holiday, both coastwise and inland to scenes of beauty and in the parish itself is much of historical interest.  An ancient path may be followed, part of a prehistoric highway joining the South Stack to the Menai Straits and thence hugging the coast of the mainland as far south as Aberystwyth.  From its quarry Rhoscolyn marble was sent far and wide in times when British marbles were fashionable.  Examples may be seen in Worcester, Bristol and Peterborough Cathedrals.  Its church, dedicated to Gwaenfaen (Guinivere) gave the village its once fashionable and prettier name of Llanwenfaen.  The present building is a 19th century restoration of a former church of ancient foundation; indeed a church has stood on the site since very early days.  It has a mediaeval doorway, a 15th century font and chalice, two small lancets of old glass and a fine East window of modern glass, well suited in subject to a seaside community. The village also possesses houses and cottages from Elizabethan times or even earlier, some of which are excellent examples of the Welsh 'long house'.  Visitors are accommodated in most of the houses and farms, or furnished houses may be taken."

St Gwenfaens well at RhoscolynRhoscolyn is believed to be the home of an early Christian saint, Gwenfaen, who lived in and set up a cloister / church in the area during the 6th century. St. Gwenfaen’s well, which is reputed to have healing powers, dates back to this early Christian period and can still be visited today. The local church carries the same name, and Llanwenfaen - the old Welsh name for Rhoscolyn (not used any more) - means literally 'Church of Gwenfaen'.

 

Rhoscolyn reed bedRhoscolyn is home to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), namely: The Rhoscolyn Reed Bed site (which is directly between our garden and Borthwen beach); and the Glannau Rhoscolyn [coastal] area itself. As well as having some special habitats for wildlife, Rhoscolyn is also famed for its geological features, especially the Rhoscolyn anticline.

Refer to our Walkers & Cyclists page for more information on the local countryside, walking routes and geology.

 

Rhoscolyn beachThe award-winning Borthwen Beach, the closest public beach to Y Stabl, is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike and it is an excellent beach for all sorts of recreation pursuits, including bathing, walking and sailing.

Rhoscolyn coastal walkThe Silver Bay beach is also a short walk from Y Stabl, however please note that although this is a public beach, the Silver Bay Holiday Village is private, and does not have a public right of way through it. Public access to this beach is via the Coastal Path - either along the coast from Rhoscolyn Beach (Borthwen), or directly from Ty Lon via Bryn-Y-Bar.

Around & About

Eating & Drinking

The White EagleThe White Eagle pub is also within easy walking distance, and it completed major renovations in 2007 that included a large dining area, bars and beer terrace. Its restaurant has an excellent and far-reaching reputation for serving good quality local produce and a good selection of fine ales and wines at the bar.

The Silver Bay Holiday Village also has a restaurant and bar, and entertainment for children. Guests of Y Stabl are entitled to apply to temporary membership of the Silver Bay Club, or can be signed in as guests by making themselves known at the bar- in order to comply with the club's licensing conditions.

Other local restaurants / hotels serving food include The Valley Hotel and Bull Hotel (Valley); The Seacroft and Trearddur Bay Hotel (Trearddur Bay) and The Anchorage (Four-Mile Bridge).  Some links below:

Valley has a number of take-away food outlets including Chinese, Indian, Thai and Fish & Chips. Holyhead has a large number of pubs (some of which also serve food) and take-away food outlets.

Shops

For basic groceries, there is a 24-hour Spar shop in Valley (near the crossroads). For a greater range of food supplies visit the Tesco or Morrisons supermarket (not 24 hours) in Holyhead.

There is a range of retail stores adjacent to the Tesco site in Holyhead, which includes Argos, Farm Foods, Wilkinson and New Look. There are some more shops in Holyhead town, including Boots. Bangor (20 miles away) has a larger range of high street shops and major stores (B&Q, Comet etc).

Fuel is available at the petrol stations in Valley (two stations) and Holyhead (at Tesco).

Tourist Information

Sailing at Rhoscolyn beachThere is plenty to see and do around Rhoscolyn, Holyhead and Anglesey! We have left a selection of books about the local area, brochures for local tourist attractions and maps of Anglesey in the house for guests' information.

Further information can be found at the Holyhead Tourist Information Centre (at the ferry/ train terminal- tel. 01407 762622), or online at our selection of local interest links below:

Other Local interest Links

local Community

stgwenfaen.org - St Gwenfaen's Church
ysgolrhoscolyn.com - Ysgol Rhoscolyn (School)
caergybi.com - Holyheadian online community & The Encyclopaedia YeahYeah!

Local Watersports

bbc.co.uk/wales/..surfing - Surfing at Silver Bay
holyheadsailingclub.org.uk - Holyhead Sailing Club
holyheadcoastguard.co.uk - Holyhead Coastguard
holyhead-lifeboat.co.uk - Holyhead Lifeboat
holyheadmarina.co.uk - Holyhead Marina
canoeist.co.uk/..Holy Island - report on canoeing Holy Island, from Canoeist Magazine (download)
fks.me.uk - FKS Kite Surfing School in Rhosneigr

Local Other Sports/ Activities

anglesey.gov.uk/leisurecentre - Holyhead Leisure Centre
holyheadhotspur.com - Holyhead Hotspur (footy club)
blogdroed.net - Pel Droed (Football) Diary
holyheadgolfclub.co.uk - Holyhead Golf Club

Local Heritage

holyheadbreakwater.com - Holyhead Breakwater - related info
anglesey.gov.uk/.. - Anglesey Archives
hanesmon.org.uk - Anglesey Antiquarians

Local Arts

huwjonesart.co.uk - Rhoscolyn resident artist Huw Jones
ucheldre.org - Ucheldre (arts) Centre in Holyhead (also regularly screens films)
empireholyhead.co.uk - The Empire Cinema Holyhead
ceribartlett.com - Local artist Ceri Bartlett
landscapephotographyuk.com - Local photographer with stunning photos of Anglesey
angleseyartsforum.org - Anglesey Arts Forum
oriel-cymru.com - Oriel (Gallery) Cymru (Wales)

Local Industry

angleseyaluminium.co.uk - Anglesey Aluminium (Holyhead)
holyhead.co.uk - Holyhead Towing
www.raf.mod.uk/rafvalley - RAF Valley
holyheadmaritimemuseum.co.uk - Holyhead Maritime Museum
sealink-holyhead.com - Sealink / Holyhead ferry history site