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."
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
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.
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 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.