The Menai bridges

There's a lay-by on the A5 across into Anglesey which gives great views down to the straits and Telford's original suspension bridge, elegantly spanning the water ever since 1826. The Menai Straits are a notorious stretch of water where the currents swirl around with the competing tides, where whirlpools and rocks lie in wait for unfortunate ships, so the completion of the bridge was a major event.



By 1850, Robert Stephenson completed his equally famous railway bridge, but to see this we had to park up closer to Telford's original. We found a little car park where paths led through woods down to the shore, and out via a causeway to an old tiny church looking out across the water. The views across either side to both bridges were great - such a tranquil spot. The walk back to the car took us along the 'Belgian Promenade', built during the First World War by Belgian refugees, and again the views of the bridges dominated the scene. A great spot for a short stroll.