Local History
Cemaes Bay is the most northerly village in Wales. It is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) some of which is owned by the National Trust. Formally spelt ‘Cemais’ meaning ‘bend’ this probably referred to the shape of the Bay and its sheltered natural harbour of rocks. Cemaes Bay has two beaches – the big beach, Traeth Mawr is a sandy, gently sloping beach, while the Little Beach – Treath Bach – has lovely rockpools at low tide.
Cemaes Bay history has been shaped by the sea. It has a rich Maritime and Industrial Heritage. Since Victorian times its beauty has inspired many artists and now has a modern Time and Tide bell on the beach and other artworks in the Valley.
Cemaes Bay has a harbour and the pier has been repaired and replaced many times due to storms. The great storm of 1889 demolished most of the previous one and this was repaired in 1900 at a cost of around £1500. Shipbuilding was an industry employing many in the 1830’s. Vessels from 100 to 400 tons were built here The pier was used to export limestone, corn, marble and bricks whilst coal and flour were imported. Many buildings in Liverpool were built using limestone and marble from White Lady Bay. The harbour was busy until the advent of the railway in the 1850’s because travelling by sea was much quicker than using the poor roads to England and avoided crossing the Menai Straight.
Cemaes Bay was also an ancient fishing village known for its salted herring. You can still go fishing from the harbour aboard Stingray. Local fishermen have boats in the harbour and fish for lobsters, crabs and whelks.
Cemaes Bay as a village supports the RNLI and has an annual Lifeboat Day and Sea Awareness day, along with a fundraising stall in the Village Venture.
Industrial history of Cemaes Bay and the surrounding area includes brickworks both in the Valley in Cemaes and at Porth Wen. The remains of the railway taking bricks to the pier can be seen in the path in the valley Woodland walk - Nant y Dyfrig – Valley of the otters.
The river in the valley Wygyr means in Welsh where two rivers meet. The River Wygyr flows from below Parys Mountain and meets the River Afon Meddanen on Carrog farm.
On the Coastal Path between Cemaes and Llanbadrig there are the remains of a lime kiln and limestone quarry. At LLanlleiana beach overlooking West Mouse there are the old China Clay Works.
Copper was mined from Parys Mountain at Amlwch – the colours here are amazing especially when it is sunny or when the purple heather is in flower. There are footpaths for you to follow to see the old mine workings.
All over Anglesey there are Ancient monuments. The nearest to Cemaes are the remains of an Iron age Fort on Dinas Gynfor which is visible in the winter months. This is quite a steep hill and the fort was bounded on 3 sides by precipitous cliffs. In summer it is harder to see because of bracken.
On the headland there is a building erected in 1902 as a watchtower and summerhouse to celebrate EdwardV11’s coronation.
Llanbadrig church known as the Church of St Patrick was founded in 440 AD the oldest church in Wales. Local legend insists Patrick, a bishop from Ireland, was shipwrecked on Ynys Badrig – Middle Mouse. He crossed to Anglesey and found refuge in Og of Badrig – Patricks Cave, where freshwater was available and the church was founded as a thanks to God.
