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Landmarks

Holyhead Breakwater

The UK’s longest breakwater, a Victorian stone arm stretching well over 2 km into Holyhead Bay, with a promenade along the top out to its 1873 lighthouse.

Holyhead
·
Holy Island
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Price
Free to walk (parking charged at the Country Park)
Time needed
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Local tip
Combine it with a walk round Breakwater Country Park, where the stone for the breakwater was quarried.

Built between 1848 and 1873 to shelter Holyhead harbour, the breakwater is made from stone quarried in what is now Breakwater Country Park. It’s a Grade II* listed structure, and a promenade along the top leads walkers all the way out to the lighthouse at the far end, with big views of the harbour, the ferries and Holyhead Mountain.

Good to know

Vehicles have been blocked from the breakwater since 2014, but walkers can still use it in good weather. It’s exposed to wind and waves, so avoid it in rough conditions. Parking, toilets and a café are at Breakwater Country Park next door.

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Plan your visit

Where to go
Opening times
Prices
Booking
Not needed
Age suitability
Parking
Pay and display car park at Breakwater Country Park
Public transport
Walk
Step-free access
Not confirmed
Access details
Toilets
Not confirmed
Facilities
Toilets, accessible toilets and Caffi’r Parc at Breakwater Country Park
Dogs
Not confirmed
Dog rules

Make a day of it

Walks & Coastal Path

Wygyr riverside walk and Cemaes Community Woodland

Gentle village walk in Cemaes along the Afon Wygyr, with benches, red squirrels and the ruins of an old brickworks, plus a 5-acre volunteer-run woodland with a pond.

Attractions & museums

South Stack Lighthouse (Ynys Lawd)

Trinity House’s 1809 lighthouse on its own islet off Holy Island, reached down (and back up) 400+ cliff steps and a bridge. Open weekends 10.30am–4.30pm from 31 October.

Attractions & museums

Beaumaris Courthouse (Llys Biwmares)

A courthouse from 1614 opposite Beaumaris Castle, used as an assize court until 1971 and now a museum run with the gaol by Beaumaris Town Council.

Details last checked
October 11, 2026
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