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A lot of folk might think it's the name which gives Llanfairpwll such a special place in so many people's hearts. And there's no denying it's long - so long that it's difficult to forget, even if you can't spell or pronounce it properly.
Nowadays the website for this delightful Anglesey village helps with the spelling problem at least - http://www.llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.co.uk/ - just key in the first few letters and you get to it in the end!
But the name is not the only eye-catching attraction here. There are many other reasons not to forget Llanfairpwll, as the website and any visitor who has been there will tell you. It is a picturesque and friendly getaway, a quiet but not too quiet destination for families, and it is within easy distance of so many other popular attractions around North Wales.
It's well worth taking a day out to Llanfairpwll whereever you stay on Anglesey or using it as a base from which to explore other parts of the region.
The name itself is a comprehensive description of the geographical location of the village, part of it relating to Saint Mary's Church whose parish the village lies in.
And visitors who opt to take a stroll to Saint Mary's will come across one of the most beautiful and unusual views in the area - that of 'Nelson's monument'.
The monument, otherwise known as the Marquess of Anglesey's column, surrounded by bluebell woods, was erected in 1816 as a tribute to the Marquess, Heny Paget, who was injured at the historic battle of Waterloo.
The monument is sited on a rock and visitors can climb up steps to the top - 115 steps in all - to see yet more breath-taking views, this time of the Snowdonia National Park in one direction and the rolling Anglesey countryside in the other.
Also mentioned in the name is Saint Tysilio, a one time Welsh bishop and scholar who was the son of the prince of Powys in the seventh century.
Llanfairpwll itself dates back many centuries, with some researchers suggesting communities extisted here as early as 2,000BC, though a more regonisable 'village format' did not begin to emerge until the 18th and 19th centuries. It is recorded as having had a population of 385 in 1801. Today it is the fifth largest settlement in population terms on Anglesey.
The name itself was not created until the 19th century in an attempt to develop the village as a tourist destination. It has certainly succeeded, with thousands of tourists from all over the world visiting here every year.
Things To See
One of their first stops is the historic railway station to see the name sign and take photographs of each other alongside it. The sation first opened in 1848 as a stop off point on the then newly built railway track between Holyhead and Chester.
Other popular 'photo-spots' at Llanfairpwll include the octaganol tollhouse on the road to Holyhead, which still has the original table of tariffs on the outside of it from the days when horse and carriage owners paid to pass.
The Toll House is attached to another building, a Women's Institute meeting house, erected a few years after Britain's first WI meeting took place in Llanfairpwll in 1915.
The village is also home to a thriving knitware outlet owned by James Pringle Weavers. Their visitors centre also sells gifts and local souvenirs and boasts a café serving up scrummie Welsh traditional teatime treats like cakes and bara brith.
How To Get There
Road
If you're heading over the Brittannia Bridge to Anglesey, come off the A55 at J8 onto the A5 just after the bridge.
LlanfairPG is then a couple of miles along the A5 heading in the opposite direction to Menai Bridge.
If you're coming through Bangor on the A5, cross over Menai Bridge, then stay on the A5 for about 2.5 miles.
Once over Menai Bridge you cross straight over the first roundabout, then take the first left at the second roundabout where the petrol station is.
It is possible to turn left off the A5 just before getting into LlanfairPG onto the A4080. This takes you in the direction of Niwbwrch, where there are stunning beaches.
Rail
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll is a request stop on the mainline Holyhead service. Not all trains stop there, so best to check beforehand.
www.thetrainline.com provides information on tickets and train time.
Bus
You can find bus timetables for LlanfairPG and the rest of Anglesey on the council's website
Taxi
PG Cars
Station Road,
Ffordd Caergybi,
Llanfair Pg,
LL61 5UQ
Tel: 01248 716 503
M & M Taxis
74, Stad Ty Croes, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Gwynedd LL61 5JR
Tel: 01248 717173
