Aberffraw
Aberffraw was once the royal seat of the princes of Gwynedd. Today it is a quiet village on Anglesey's south-west coast, with an old stone bridge, a wide beach backed by protected dunes and the famous little church in the sea nearby.
Aberffraw sits on the west bank of the Afon Ffraw, on Anglesey's south-west coast. For centuries it was the capital of the Kingdom of Gwynedd; the royal court (llys) was rebuilt by Rhodri the Great in 873 and later used by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, before it was dismantled in 1317. Little survives above ground, but the village, its double-naved 12th-century St Beuno's Church (Grade II* listed) and the coast around it make a rewarding visit. For more of the region, see North Wales.
Getting there
By car, Aberffraw is around 15 miles from Menai Bridge, usually a drive of 20 to 25 minutes. The village lies on the A4080. The nearest railway station is Bodorgan.
By bus, route 42 links Aberffraw with Menai Bridge and Bangor, usually every few hours, taking around 40 minutes from Menai Bridge. Route 25 heads to Holyhead via Rhosneigr. Check timetables before travelling.
Things to do in Aberffraw
St Cwyfan's Church in the Sea
About a mile along the coast from the village, St Cwyfan's Church stands on the tiny tidal island of Cribinau. Dating from the 12th century, it was protected by a sea wall in the 1890s and still holds occasional services. You reach it across the beach and an old causeway, so check tide times first.
Aberffraw beach and dunes
A long sandy beach runs beside the estuary, backed by around 880 acres of dunes protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. A walk from the old packhorse bridge of 1731 down the estuary and back through the dunes is a village favourite. Heading east, longer walks reach the lake at Llyn Coron and the dunes beyond. More island beaches feature in our beaches guide.
Barclodiad y Gawres
From Cable Bay, about 2 miles away, a 30-minute coast path walk leads to Barclodiad y Gawres, a Neolithic burial chamber on the headland.
Llys Rhosyr
To see a royal court of the princes, head to Llys Rhosyr near Newborough. Now cared for by Cadw, it is the only court of the Welsh princes with visible remains open to the public.
Food and drink
Y Goron (The Crown) on Bridge Street is the village pub, with a restaurant, beer garden, guest ales and a big gin collection; hours can be shorter in winter. Aberffraw Post Office and Shop stocks basic groceries and the village's traditional Aberffraw biscuits; check opening hours before you rely on it.
Make a day of it
Racing fans can check events at the Anglesey Circuit at Ty Croes, close by. Rhosneigr is about 5 miles away, and Holyhead is reachable on the 25 bus. Browse more places of interest and what's on in Anglesey.
Aberffraw: questions answered
Can you walk to the church in the sea at Aberffraw?
Yes. St Cwyfan's Church is about a mile along the coast from Aberffraw on the Anglesey Coastal Path. It stands on the tidal island of Cribinau and is reached across the beach and the remains of a stone causeway, so you need to go when the tide is out. Always check a tide table before setting off.
Why is Aberffraw historically important?
Aberffraw was the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Gwynedd and the seat of the House of Aberffraw. Rhodri the Great rebuilt the royal court here in 873 and Llywelyn ab Iorwerth re-established it in 1201. The court was dismantled in 1317 to supply stone for Caernarfon Castle, so no visible remains survive today.
How do I get to Aberffraw by public transport?
Bus route 42 links Aberffraw with Menai Bridge and Bangor, usually every few hours, taking around 40 minutes from Menai Bridge. Route 25 runs towards Holyhead via Rhosneigr, Monday to Saturday. The nearest railway station is Bodorgan, on the line between Bangor and Holyhead. Check current timetables before you travel.