ANGLESEY: A Staycation in Wales

If you’re looking for a holiday closer to home, I think all it takes at times is a spontaneous phone call to a hotel and off you go. Here’s our staycation in North Wales when we stayed at the Bulkeley Hotel, Beaumaris, Anglesey.

Having normally spent most of our Summer in the area of Snowdonia, we spontaneously booked a night’s stay at the Bulkeley Hotel, Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey. On arrival it was a little odd seeing my family history dotted about a hotel. The coat of arms that I’d seen plenty of growing up and a large painting of Sir Richard Bulkeley, who had built the hotel at the request of Buckingham Palace for a visit to Anglesey by Princess Victoria.

A hotel that dominates the sea front in the little Welsh village of Beaumaris with views towards mainland Wales, it instantly felt like a home away from home. Friendly staff and dog-friendly rooms meaning Elfyn could join us on holiday too.

Before check-in at 3pm, we’d spent the day at Trearddur Bay and Southstack. Both two of my favourite places to visit on Anglesey. Trearddur Bay was perfect for letting Elfyn off for a run around. With it being Winter, dogs had free roam of the beach, so he had plenty of fun sniffing seaweed, getting confused by the waves and chasing seagulls. Up at Southstack we kept him on the lead due to roaming sheep, but the main draw to Southstack for me is visiting the Lighthouse and watching the waves crash against the cliffs. You’ll regularly see ships making their way across to Ireland.

Southstack is normally a hub for wildlife enthusiasts in the Summer to see anything from Seals to Puffins supported by the fact there’s an RSPB Visitor Centre and Cafe there. This was all closed off for us due to a complete refurbishment of the centre, but I imagine they’ll have this ready by next Summer. Anglesey itself is a hub for wildlife. Dolphin’s have been seen in the Menai Strait, which is the stretch of water between mainland Wales and the Island. Red squirrels are the native species of squirrels in the UK, and Anglesey becoming a haven for these little creatures mean they’re now thriving again on the Island.

Being late in the day we did one of the shorter walks at Southstack, which was obviously a lot quieter than when we’ve visited in the Summer months in the past. Heading back to Trearddur Bay for a coffee and so Elfyn could have another run on the beach, we were then making our way back for food at the hotel.

Being a dog-friendly hotel, you can still have a dining experience dog-free as all dog owners eat in the Llewelyn suite. The hotel had made room service free due to everything going on, so we had the suite to ourselves.

Late in the evening and the light gone outside, we went for a walk around Beaumaris to see the Christmas lighted. Christmas displays in the shop windows filling the high street. The only real hustle and bustle being dog walkers like ourselves. We went towards the water front with the view turning to black past the wall. The only thing telling us the water was there was the gentle tumbling waves. Lights twinkling across the water. More stars twinkling that back at home, despite even some light pollution. Unfortunately I hadn’t come prepared for astro-photography, but Anglesey is a popular location for it, especially to see the Milkyway. Bioluminance is another phenomenon that can be seen at times, but at Penmon a little further round the island from Beaumaris. The same Penmon that’s found fame on this year’s I’m a Celeb thanks to the lighthouse there.

With free Wifi in the hotel, we found a film to watch and that was our first day in Anglesey complete.

We’d had the best weather on the Saturday and woke up to rain pattering against the window on Sunday morning. Welsh weather that we were more than familiar with. A full Welsh breakfast for both of us, it was time for us to check out of the hotel we’d visited for a little weekend getaway. A last walk on the water front, we decided to head back to mainland Wales. Llanwrst in particular to visit a shop that I’d found on Instagram for some last minute Christmas presents, as I’m doing my best to shop small this Christmas. Siop Sioned is full of homemade gifts with a Welsh twist perfect for presents that are a little more personal.

We could have easily found a walk to finish off our day, but the weather took a turn for the worse which we weren’t exactly prepared for, so we left the walk for another day.

There’s obviously no sitting on the beach getting a tan when it comes to holidaying in Wales, but that doesn’t mean you can’t escape from the fast-paced way of life for a while.