Two Islands in one day.

 

Holy Island, is just off Anglesey’s western edge, has an area of just 15 square miles It is called "Holy" because of the high concentration of standing stones, burial chambers, and other religious sites on the small island.

The South Stack Lighthouse is built on the summit of a small island off the north-west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales. It was built in 1809 to warn ships of the dangerous rocks below.

Elin's Tower is a Victorian stone folly it was originally used as a summer house, was built between 1820 and 1850 for the Stanley family and it is named after Elin the Welsh wife of the 19th Century politician William Owen Stanley.

A rather bumpy ride.

 

I was looking forward to our trip to Penrhyn Castle and the walled garden. After seeing pictures and the description on the web.

 "Like the castle itself, Penrhyn’s grounds and gardens are extensive, dramatic, a feast for the senses and offer something for everyone. Peace and tranquillity can be found in the precise topiary, geometric lines, bubbling fountains and meticulous planting of the Walled Garden. Here, Walter Speed’s 19th-century vision for one of Britain’s top three gardens of the time can really be appreciated".

Sadly the garden didn't meet my expectations and only the top section of the walled garden was accessible to myself and my mobility scooter. It is built on a slope but unlike other gardens, the only way to access the lower part of the garden is by steps. There is a rather bumpy path down to the bog garden but the paths are steep and gravelled, one particular arched wooded bridge over the water stopped any further exploration for me.

I would also advise using the toilets at the visitors centre entrance as there are a lot of large cobbles in the courtyard of the ones in the castle's courtyard. The castle itself was not open due to COVID restrictions so I cannot comment on its accessibility inside.

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Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle was originally a medieval fortified manor house built In 1438. The current building was built between 1820 and 1833 for George Hay Dawkins-Pennant on the proceeds of the North Wales slate industry and sugar plantations in Jamaica. The neo-Norman castle was designed by the famous architect Thomas Hopper. The cost of the construction of this vast "castle" is disputed. It cost the Pennant family an estimated £150,000. This is the current equivalent to about £49,500,000.