Even if you don’t want to commit to island-life fulltime, it’s perfect for a weekend away
Anglesey has been named one of the best places to live in the UK, but it’s a fabulous place to visit (Image: Getty Images)
When picturing their dream place to live, many people may conjure up images of an island, perhaps with white sandy beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. While you won’t find such a place anywhere near Greater Manchester, there is a slice of island life much closer to home.
Off the coast of North Wales, the Isle of Anglesey is the seventh largest island in the British Isles, covering an area of around 275 square miles. It’s known for its amazing beaches, which range from picturesque coves to vast sandy stretches.
The island and many of its locations are frequently at the top of best-of travel lists and guides. Only at the start of the year Time Out named Anglesey one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026 and last year it was named the UK’s ‘best island’ by The Telegraph.
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Now it’s achieved another national ranking. It was recently named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2026 by The Sunday Times, along with our very own Altrincham and Didsbury.
The Menai Suspension Bridge(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
The publication described it as “a landscape of rolling greenery set against the cinematic, jagged backdrop of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. ” It goes on to mention that the town of Menai Bridge is home to the island’s best shops and restaurants with views that are a “delight”, while Beaumaris is the island’s “artistic anchor”.
It added: “Aberffraw, Benllech and Trearddur Bay are lively seaside villages, and there’s wildness and warm community spirit to be found in more remote corners of the island.” Naturally The Sunday Times guide is designed to showcase places to live (it highlights the average house price is £270,500) but for those who just fancy a taste of island life, rather than committing fully to it, then a holiday in Anglesey does the job.
At just over two hours’ drive from Greater Manchester, it’s easily accessible whether it’s for a weekend away or for a longer stay. Naturally, the aforementioned Menai Bridge is a great place to stay if you fancy the hustle and bustle of town life.
The village of Aberffraw (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In fact this year the Menai Suspension Bridge celebrates its 200th anniversary so there’s no better time to visit. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge reaches 1,265ft long with a central span of 579ft and is an impressive sight to behold.
In Beaumaris you’ll find gorgeous pastel-coloured buildings and the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known as the greatest castle never built. Created by Edward I with his architect James of St George, it followed on from the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech.
The fortress was huge with near-perfect symmetry but a lack of money and trouble in Scotland meant the castle was abandoned. But its magnificent outer walls still stand proud today.
Naturally, Anglesey’s beaches are a must for any visitor. In fact, given the coastline stretches for 125 miles, it’s pretty hard to avoid them. Close to the village of Aberffraw in the south west, you’ll find Traeth Mawr, a vast sandy beach backed by powdery dunes with gorgeous views over the mainland.
Llanddwyn Island (Image: Getty Images)
The beach connects to the Anglesey Coastal Path, a long distance coastal path which, as you’ve guessed, follows much of the island’s coastline. It takes around 12 days to complete, but obviously you can select shorter sections to do.
Of course, The Sunday Times does shine a light on one of Anglesey’s most scenic locations: Newborough Beach and the tidal Llanddwyn Island with its rolling sand dunes and rock outcrops. This “stunning spot” is a place steeped in legend and home to the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church, named after the Welsh patron saint of lovers, who fled to the island after she was forbidden to marry the man she loved.
Newborough Forest is a spectacular site in itself with towering corian pines growing beside the sand dunes of Newborough Warren. It’s also the perfect spot to see red squirrels, after they were introduced in 2004.
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