The Walking
The Anglesey Coastal Path on Holy Island — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Holy Island may be the best dog-walking station in Wales: the coastal path in every direction, a mountain that takes an hour, a breakwater for lead-stretching flatness and a country park for the everyday circuit. South Stack’s reserve welcomes dogs on paths and in Ellin’s Tower (not the café) — keep leads on near cliff edges and nesting season stock.
Beaches & Pubs
Summer dog restrictions apply to the main bathing stretch at Trearddur Bay (signage sets the zones and dates); the rocky coves either side, Porth Dafarch’s edges and Borthwen out of season give year-round options. Pubs oblige: The Inn at the Bay’s garden, the White Eagle’s terrace and the Boathouse’s bar all know the drill, and The Paddlers Return practically expects sandy paws.
Dogs & the Ferry
Crossing to Ireland? Both operators carry pets on designated sailings — kennels or car arrangements vary by ship, so book the dog when you book the ticket. Pre-boarding leg-stretch: the country park is ten minutes from check-in and purpose-perfect. Several cottages and the island’s parks take dogs for the staying kind.
A Dog’s Perfect Day
Field-tested: dawn patrol on Newry Beach prom, the shore path to the country park for squirrel-adjacent excitement, then the cliff path towards North Stack while it’s quiet. Water bowl and lunch in The Inn at the Bay’s garden, afternoon at Borthwen (out of season) or the coves by Porth Dafarch, and a bar-corner doze at the Boathouse while humans debrief. Bins are plentiful on the proms; carry water for the cliff legs — there’s none up there.
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