Spotlight On: Rhoscolyn
A secluded coastal spot with unrivalled idyll
A tiny community on Holy Island’s southwestern edge, Rhoscolyn is essentially on an island off an island. Holy Island is connected to the Isle of Anglesey via the Stanley Embankment and Four Mile Bridge, which both span the Cymyran Strait. The area is named ‘holy’ thanks to the number of standing stones, burial chambers and other ancient remnants of religious worship. Whatever your beliefs, the striking scenery here is undoubtedly worthy of worship. From crystalline shallows to plum-coloured headlands, it is the perfect place to lose yourself for a short break or an extended stay – and we’ve got a choice of Rhoscolyn holiday cottages where you can do exactly that.
The community itself is quiet and remote. There are a few buildings, private properties, a secluded holiday park, a pub and a gothic-style church, St Gwenfaens, with origins dating back to AD630. Interestingly, Rhoscolyn used to be known as Llanwenfaen, undoubtedly named after Saint Gwenfaen, who was supposedly known for healing mental illness and also has a well dedicated to her nearby.
Rich in ancient culture and bordered by beautiful coves, the area is famed for the sea arches of Bwa Gwyn and Bwa Du (the white arch & the black arch), which are a popular point of interest for sea kayakers and walkers. The Coast Path is easily accessible, spanning the length of Borthwen and continuing around the island.
I’ve spent many summers in Rhoscolyn, having been lucky enough to holiday there with friends during my teenage years. Our days consisted of jumping off rocks into the sea at Porth-y-Garan, seeking out surf in the nearby Cable Bay and cooking up BBQ feasts in the sloping gardens of our rental cottage. Even now, that sounds like a dream itinerary to me. With that in mind, below I’ve put together a plan for the perfect day in Rhoscolyn.
Where is Rhoscolyn?
Rhoscolyn sits on the southwestern corner of Holy Island, which is separated from the Isle of Anglesey by the Cymyran Strait. Access is no issue – you can reach it by crossing the Stanley Embankment (A55) or Four Mile Bridge (A4545.) A south-facing orientation means that you’ll enjoy views out across the Llyn Peninsula from Rhoscolyn’s popular beach, Borthwen.
Important info: Where to park for visiting Rhoscolyn
There is limited parking in Rhoscolyn itself, but the good news is that all of our holiday accommodation comes with private parking. Should you just need somewhere to park for a visit, here’s where I’d recommend:
- Beach Car Park, Rhoscolyn (LL65 2NJ) – A fairly small gravel payable car park with toilets – it’s right on the beach. Getting there is via narrow and winding single-track lanes – make sure to take care on approach and be respectful to locals! Up to 12 hours is £12.
- The White Eagle Pub (LL65 2NJ) – Private pub car park for patrons of The White Eagle.
There is further parking available in Trearddur Bay, where you can get bus number 23 – it stops in Rhoscolyn twice a day.
Is there any free parking in Rhoscolyn?
Yes – there are grassy verges and some laybys you can park in for free; however, you should ensure you are not parking across a gateway into a field and that you are completely off the road / not obstructing traffic. These spots are few and far between – I’d personally recommend getting to the beach car park mentioned above nice and early for complete peace of mind.
What does the name Rhoscolyn mean?
The name Rhoscolyn has Roman origins. Rhos means moor or heath, while Colyn means column – it translates to the moor of the column, which refers to a pillar erected by the Romans.
Morning: Walk to Trearddur Bay
An ideal day when staying in a Rhoscolyn holiday cottage would begin with a hearty breakfast and perhaps a brisk sunrise walk along the beach. Cook up a storm in your cottage kitchen (there’s a great range of shops on the island for stocking up, including a large Tesco just down the road on the way to Holyhead.) Once you’ve fuelled up for the day, take to the coastal path and head right if you’re looking at the water at Borthwen beach – you’ll soon come to the Coastwatch Lookout Station, which is just the beginning of the great views. Here, you can admire the small islets in the waters around the bay and perhaps spot seals basking on the rocks.
Moving on, you’ll continue over the grassy headland until you come to the medieval St Gwenfaen’s Well which I mentioned above – legend has it that if you throw two white quartz pebbles into the water, St Gwenfaen will cure you of any mental ailment. The well itself is pretty unassuming, so be careful you don’t miss it! The remains are a simple formation of dry-stone walls descending to the entrance.
Continue along the worn path until you reach a wooden gate, and ascend the rocky terrain for your first glimpse of Trearddur Bay. From here, the path continues to hug the coastline before heading slightly inland and cutting through Gwynfair Holiday Park. Once you’ve gone through the park, you’ll walk across another small section of headland before joining Ravenspoint Road, which eventually descends to Porth Diana and into Trearddur Bay itself.
In Trearddur Bay, there are lots of lovely places to enjoy for great views and culinary delights. Choose between the nautical decor and sun-trap terrace of Seacroft, beachfront cafe vibes at The Sea Shanty and delicious deli goods at The Stores. If you continue around the bay onto Lon Isallt, you’ll also discover plenty of smaller coves, the lifeboat station and further lovely spots for food and drink. Once you’ve had your fill, you can either amble back the way you came along the coastal path, or catch bus number 23 back to Rhoscolyn – but check the timetable as this is not a super frequent service!
If you’re looking for more of a high-octane day out, there is a choice of watersports activities on offer throughout the local area. From coasteering to windsurfing, there is a wealth of experienced and trusted providers across the island. When you book with Oyster Holiday Cottages, you’ll benefit from a complimentary concierge service, which means they can arrange an incredible day out for you, as locals themselves, founders Will and Jack know all about the best spots and who can take you there.
Just want to spend the day on a breathtaking beach? Take a look at our guide to the best beaches on Anglesey.
Afternoon: Picnic, sea swims & rockpooling at Borth Wen
Once you’ve returned to Rhoscolyn, I’d head for the sugary sands of Borth Wen for an afternoon picnic – top tip, you’ll maybe want to grab some delicious Mediterranean-inspired (and locally-produced) snacks from The Stores before you leave Trearddur Bay. Bring your goodies to a spot on the beach and enjoy the sandy shallows – depending on what time you’re at the beach and how high the tide is, you can enjoy rockpooling on the edges, and there is a cluster of rocks in the centre of the bay – I used to love paddleboarding around this on a flat calm morning.
Borth Wen does get really popular throughout the summer months, and so you might want to flip the day or alternate a big walk with a beach day so that you can secure your spot. That said, there are lots of coves and sections of headland along the coastal path that would make for beautiful picnic spots – just be sure to take any rubbish with you.
Early evening: Hearty pub dinner at The White Eagle
Our collection of Rhoscolyn Holiday Cottages are all perfectly placed for enjoying an evening wander to The White Eagle, a popular pub situated on the lane leading down to the beach. When you don’t feel like washing up or venturing out by car for dinner, I’d suggest enjoying an easygoing stroll here instead to enjoy the welcoming interiors, range of local ales and varies, seasonal menu. The pub itself is super dog-friendly and keeps some space for walk-ins. On a sunny day, lunch here should be on your trip bucket-list, because there’s a huge outdoor sun terrace with the most incredible views out over the sea towards Snowdonia – there’s nothing better to complement your lunch!
Once you’ve wined and dined to your hearts’ content, be sure to look up during your walk home to admire the amazing night sky – the island’s status as an AONB, along with the neighbouring Llyn Peninsula and Snowdonia National Park means that there is very little light pollution, so they are recognised as ‘dark sky’ sites. You can see thousands of stars, comets and galaxies, with the Northern Lights also a regular sighting from Anglesey throughout the winter months. You might have to stay up a little later during summer to see the stars in North Wales, but trust me when I tell you it will be worth it.
Book your Rhoscolyn holiday cottage
The founders of Oyster Holiday Cottages, Jack and Will, are a family team (brothers, to be exact) who want to bring a more friendly, local feel back to holiday lettings. Born and bred on the Isle of Anglesey, they have a selection of stunning Rhoscolyn Holiday Cottages on offer, with a complimentary concierge service to boot. Whether you want them to craft the perfect itinerary or arrange a private boat tour around the entire island, they will work with the best local providers to make it happen.
