Belgian Promenade, Coed Cyrnol and Church Island (Ynys Tysilio)
Short, easy walk in Menai Bridge through Coed Cyrnol woods and along the Belgian Promenade to Church Island and its 15th-century church, with views of both bridges.
This short walk in Menai Bridge links three local favourites. Coed Cyrnol is a small woodland Local Nature Reserve, where you may spot red squirrels. Below it, the Belgian Promenade runs along the Menai Strait. It was built by Belgian refugees who came to Menai Bridge after the German invasion of 1914, as a thank-you to the town.
At the end of the promenade a causeway leads to Church Island (Ynys Tysilio). St Tysilio is said to have founded a hermitage here around 630; the present church dates from the early 15th century, and a war memorial on the island's highest point looks out over the Strait and its two bridges.
Good to know
The church has no regular opening times, so contact it before visiting if you want to see inside. The causeway can be covered at the very highest spring tides. The Strait here has strong, dangerous currents, so keep away from the water's edge.