South Stack - island on the northwest coast of Anglesey, Wales

South Stack (Ynys Lawd) is an island connected by a bridge to Holy Island which is part of the island of Anglesey. It is also the name given to the land adjacent to the island.

Understand

Spectacularly positioned lighthouse and unspoiled countryside.

Get in

By car

A 3 mile drive west of Holyhead, parking just above the cliffs and nature reserve.

By foot

South Stack is on the Anglesey Coastal Path.

By Bus

Some website suggest the No. 22 runs from Holyhead to the lighthouse a few times a day but the timetable (dead link: January 2023) is not clear on the that.

Get around

You should have your walking shoes on for this visit, lots of steps to down the cliffs to the island and also a great walk along on the mountain edge as it meets the sea. If you wish to cross the island, you need to pay for tickets at South Stack kitchen (see drink) before it closes later in the day. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

See

• South Stack Lighthouse, 53.306673°, -4.699502°. Built in 1809, it stands impressively on a rocky island just off the coast. Reachable by steep steps and bridge. Tickets need to be purchased; details at get around.
• South Stack Cliffs RSPB reserve, 53.304352°, -4.693153°. Ellin's Tower view point ad visitors centre. Good chance of seeing Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Peregrine and Choughs nesting on the cliffs. And between the car park and the reserve look out for meadow pipits near the path.
• Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles (Ty Mawr), 53.304272°, -4.686051°. Site of village dating back to Middle Stone Age, visible remains of circular Iron Age dwellings.

Do

• Birdwatching.

In addition to walking, some of the cliffs near the lighthouse, but on the other side of the bridge, are usable for rock climbing. This should only be done using proper, safe equipment, in groups and by experienced climbers.

Buy

There is a small gift shop adjoining South Stack kitchen.

Eat

• South Stack Kitchen, 53.30516°, -4.690879°. Simple cafe, but welcoming place to get a coffee and cake. The views are spectacular. Be aware that only sweet food is served there, so if you wish to have lunch at the lighthouse, you will need to bring your own savoury food.
• For a full ready-prepared meal, you will likely have to go further afield.

Drink

Sleep

• Garden Room, Tan Y Cytiau, 53.303826°, -4.684646°, +44 1407 769638.

Connect

Ferries can be caught to Dublin from nearby. South Stack is connected by road, although in the countryside near the lighthouse these are country roads which are narrow at times.

Go next

• Holyhead, a nearby town from which ferries are available to Dublin