Menai Bridge-Porthaethwy

The small town of Menai Bridge in Anglesey, Wales has been settled since at least Roman times due to its location at the shortest crossing point of the Menai Strait. The Menai Suspension Bridge, built in 1826 by Thomas Telford was one of the first modern suspension bridges in the world and before it was completed there was no fixed connection to the mainland. The purpose of the bridge was to improve the route from London to Holyhead, although the benefits locally were major with the building of the bridge facilitating trade and industry.

Menai Bridge has a variety of shops and amenities as well as eateries and pubs and an unusual area that comprises a fake row of shops as a film set for a children's programme ‘Rownd a rownd’ shown on the Welsh-language channel S4C. The town often makes an appearance on the programme and many of the stars of the show are seen around the town. The is plenty to see, do and enjoy in the Menai Bridge and the surrounding area including the 14^th century Church of St. Tysilio, St. Georges Pier, the Pili Pala butterfly house and if you visit at the end of October, the annual fair is a vibrant and colourful event.