Bull Bay Coastal Walk
Epic sea views, wildlife, and industrial history ...this circular walk from Bull Bay in Anglesey has got the lot, so binoculars are a must.
The walk begins by crossing farmland towards the beautiful bay of Porth Wen, passing the remains of a windmill, Melin y Pant. The mill, already in disuse by the 1900s is small so thought to drive machinery in its day. The walk continues to the top of a gentle ridge where the views open to the bay of Porth Wen, and on the far side you will see the remains of the Porth Wen brickworks.
Porth Wen brickworks is an industrial relic of Victorian times. Built to produce bricks from the local rock quartzite, it was abandoned in the early 20th century when it was no longer worth sending ships into this exposed bay. The rusty boilers, kilns and crumbing brickworks have spent decades being gradually reclaimed by nature, turning what may otherwise be an eyesore into an eerie beauty spot.
The path returns along the rugged coastal path. Seals are a frequent sight here, but dolphins and porpoises have also been spotted, and often a hawk can be spotted along the cliffs hovering purposefully in the updraught.
Distance: Approx. 3 miles
Time: Under 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Bull Bay Car Park
Postcode for Sat Nav: LL68 9SG (approx.)
what3words: ladder.rinses.buzzards
Grid Ref: SH 425 943
Ordnance Survey Map: OS Explorer 262: Anglesey West / OS Explorer 263: Anglesey East
Start Point
The starting point for this walk is a small car park in Bull Bay, a village to the west of Amlwch on the A5025. Look for the road which leaves the A5025 to go down to the bay. Turn left at the end of the bay and the car park is on the left but there’s also some street parking close to the Bull Bay Hotel.
Directions
1. From the car park, turn LEFT and follow the road. After around 200m turn RIGHT along a driveway after a terrace of white house’s following the public footpath.
2. Follow the public footpath up a private lane, turn LEFT onto a grassy path and go through the kissing gate into a field, then bear LEFT, walking through the field to the field gate.
3. Go through the gate and turn RIGHT up the drive towards the white house, ‘Tŷ Gwyn’.
4. When you reach the grassy path on the left halfway up the drive towards ‘Tŷ Gwyn’, turn LEFT and follow the path over the field to the farm, ‘Glasfryn’.
5. At ‘Glasfryn’, cross the lane and follow the public footpath sign down to the field, go through the gate and follow the stone wall. Follow the path over the hill bearing LEFT to the kissing gate. Ahead are the ruins of the old windmill. Continue along the path towards the windmill.
6. When you reach the farmyard and windmill, go through the farm gate on your RIGHT and follow the track past the farm buildings to Pant y Gaseg.
7. Go through the gates to the rear of Pant y Gaseg to the track.
8. Turn RIGHT and follow the track down the hill for about 100m to a farm gate.
9. Bear LEFT through the farm gate following the grassy path up the hill through the gorse. Keep to the RIGHT of the next field heading towards a gate on the far side.
10. Go through the gate and turn LEFT and continue along the gravel track.
11. Turn RIGHT at the junction and follow the track past ‘Porth Wen’ house, then just before ‘Castell’ farm bear RIGHT following the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path signs on to the coastal path.
12. Follow the coastal path around the eastern cliffs of ‘Porth Wen’.
The path is well-defined which enables you to study the amazing cliff formations, the twists in the underlying rock and the steep sides.
13. Shortly after ‘Ogof Pwll y Delysg’ you will pass through a couple of kissing gates, turn RIGHT onto the gravel track towards Bull Bay.
14. Follow the gravel track towards the ‘Bull Bay Hotel’. Pass the hotel and turn RIGHT and you will see the car park ahead.
Once back in at your campervan put the kettle on and enjoy a well-deserved brew or take time out and go for a paddle in the bay.
Please note. These directions are for guidance only, we can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather to turn. Do not venture out in bad weather and always take care with coastal tides.
Another note of caution: the coast path does take you very close to several steep drops. Please take care with young children and keep boisterous dogs on the lead.