Y Stabl

Anglesey is an island located off the coast of mainland North West Wales. Y Stabl is located in the rural area of Rhoscolyn, which is within the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and is a short walk to the beaches, the Anglesey Coastal Path (a 125-mile walking route around the island), and the local pub.

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 is a rural area on the south side of Holy Island. The rugged coastline, with views of Snowdonia, is stunning and is set within the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Rhoscolyn 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 is home to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), namely: The reed bed site (which is directly between our garden and Borthwen beach); and the 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 Links page for more resources on the SSSIs.

 

The 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.

The White Eagle pub is also within easy walking distance, and completed major renovations in 2007 that included a large dining area, bars and beer garden. It has an excellent and far-reaching reputation for good food and fine ales/wines.

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 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."

Note on Access to Silver Bay

The Silver Bay Holiday Village, which has restaurant, bar, clubhouse and shop, is also a short walk from Y Stabl. 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.

However please note that although Silver Bay is a public beach, the Silver Bay Holiday Village is private, and does not have a public right of way through it. Request for access through the Silver Bay Holiday Village to the beach for non-residents of the site will be refused.  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.

Eating & Drinking

The White Eagle has a restaurant serving local good quality produce and a good selection of wines and beers at the bar. The Silver Bay Holiday Village also has a restaurant and bar, and entertainment for children.

Other local restaurants / hotels serving food include The Valley Hotel and Bull Hotel (Valley); The Seacroft, Trearddur Bay Hotel and Beach Hotel (Trearddur Bay); The Anchorage (Four-Mile Bridge); and The Boathouse (Holyhead).

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, the nearest post office and basic shop is in Four-Mile Bridge (just at the Rhoscolyn turn-off), and 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

There 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 (see our Links page).