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Porth Wen

Bay in Anglesey

Wales

Porth Wen

Porth Wen brickworks This view from across the bay shows the brickworks buildings at the base of the cliff and also the winding engine remains on the hilltop to the left. A darker line of vegetation shows the line of the tramway which brought the quartzite from the hilltop quarry down to a crushing house at the back of the works. The silca rich bricks made here were suitable for lining industrial furnaces.
Porth Wen brickworks Credit: Gordon Hatton

Porth Wen is a picturesque bay located on the northern coast of Anglesey, an island off the northwest coast of Wales. This hidden gem is known for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance.

The bay is characterized by its golden sandy beach, clear turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs that surround the area. It offers visitors a tranquil and secluded environment, perfect for relaxing beach walks, picnics, or simply enjoying the scenic views. The bay is also a popular spot for water activities such as swimming and fishing.

Porth Wen is particularly notable for its industrial heritage. The remains of an old brickworks can be found at the base of the cliffs. This Victorian-era factory was established in the late 19th century and produced firebricks that were exported all over the world. The factory closed in 1914 and now stands as a fascinating relic of Anglesey's industrial past. The ruins of the brickworks, with their tall chimneys and decaying structures, create an eerie and atmospheric backdrop to the bay.

Access to Porth Wen is relatively limited, with a narrow and winding road leading down to the bay. However, the effort is well worth it for those seeking a peaceful and unspoiled coastal experience. The bay is surrounded by cliffs and rolling hills, providing ample opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

Overall, Porth Wen is a hidden treasure on the Anglesey coast, offering visitors a combination of breathtaking scenery, historical intrigue, and a sense of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

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Porth Wen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.423939/-4.4011496 or Grid Reference SH4094. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Porth Wen brickworks This view from across the bay shows the brickworks buildings at the base of the cliff and also the winding engine remains on the hilltop to the left. A darker line of vegetation shows the line of the tramway which brought the quartzite from the hilltop quarry down to a crushing house at the back of the works. The silca rich bricks made here were suitable for lining industrial furnaces.
Porth Wen brickworks
This view from across the bay shows the brickworks buildings at the base of the cliff and also the winding engine remains on the hilltop to the left. A darker line of vegetation shows the line of the tramway which brought the quartzite from the hilltop quarry down to a crushing house at the back of the works. The silca rich bricks made here were suitable for lining industrial furnaces.
Coastline east of Porth Wen Walking the coast path eastwards from Cemaes is fairly challenging, with many steep ups and downs, but east of Porth Wen the gradients ease and the path is easy to Bull Bay.
Coastline east of Porth Wen
Walking the coast path eastwards from Cemaes is fairly challenging, with many steep ups and downs, but east of Porth Wen the gradients ease and the path is easy to Bull Bay.
Looking towards Porth Wen brickworks
Looking towards Porth Wen brickworks
Boilers, Porth Wen Brick Works
Boilers, Porth Wen Brick Works
Flower boat at Bull Bay, Anglesey.
Flower boat at Bull Bay, Anglesey.
Standing Stone Near Bryn Llwyd
Standing Stone Near Bryn Llwyd
View West From Trwyn Myn
View West From Trwyn Myn
Llanlleiana Head From the coast path. The stump of a tower on the headland is the remains of one built to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902.
Llanlleiana Head
From the coast path. The stump of a tower on the headland is the remains of one built to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902.
Dyffryn Llanlleiana The track into the old porcelain works now makes for a fine green path through the bracken, next to the reedbeds filling the marshland of the valley.
Dyffryn Llanlleiana
The track into the old porcelain works now makes for a fine green path through the bracken, next to the reedbeds filling the marshland of the valley.
Castell, Bae Porth Wen The farm known as Castell across the bay from the old Porth Wen brickworks.
Castell, Bae Porth Wen
The farm known as Castell across the bay from the old Porth Wen brickworks.
Porth Wen A view of the bay through a window of the old brick works.
Porth Wen
A view of the bay through a window of the old brick works.
Bwa, Porth Wen A natural rock arch by the old brick works.
Bwa, Porth Wen
A natural rock arch by the old brick works.
Path near Bryn Llewelyn
Path near Bryn Llewelyn
Path to Porth Wen
Path to Porth Wen
Path to Porth Wen
Path to Porth Wen
Wind shaped tree at Porth Wen
Wind shaped tree at Porth Wen
Porth Wen on the Anglesey coast The abandoned brickworks at Porth Wen lies on the north coast of Anglesey, a few miles to the west of Amlwch. It was opened to make refractory bricks for use in the steel industry. It is believed that the manufacture of bricks on the site began around the turn of the twentieth century. The type of brick produced was based on the local yellow clay rather than the usual red house brick. They were capable of withstanding higher temperatures that normal bricks and may have been used for the lining of kilns and furnaces. Despite the high quality brick and tiles produced, transport was always a problem for the brickworks as all raw materials and products had to be transported by sea. A small quay was built for the loading and unloading of ships but the poor harbour became a big hindrance to profitability. As well as the effects of tides, a heavy swell was often encountered and the small vessels were often battered while at the quayside; the sharp, jagged rocks of the seabed caused much damage to the craft so that many owners refused to risk their ships mooring there. The works closed at the start of the First World War and most of the useful equipment and machinery was removed to be used by a firm in Caernarfon some time before the Second World War. Most of the remainder has slowly rusted away ever since. Recommended further reading: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> (Dave Sallery’s History of Porth Wen Brickworks) <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/porth-wen-brick-works.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/porth-wen-brick-works.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> (Anglesey Hidden Gems)
Porth Wen on the Anglesey coast
The abandoned brickworks at Porth Wen lies on the north coast of Anglesey, a few miles to the west of Amlwch. It was opened to make refractory bricks for use in the steel industry. It is believed that the manufacture of bricks on the site began around the turn of the twentieth century. The type of brick produced was based on the local yellow clay rather than the usual red house brick. They were capable of withstanding higher temperatures that normal bricks and may have been used for the lining of kilns and furnaces. Despite the high quality brick and tiles produced, transport was always a problem for the brickworks as all raw materials and products had to be transported by sea. A small quay was built for the loading and unloading of ships but the poor harbour became a big hindrance to profitability. As well as the effects of tides, a heavy swell was often encountered and the small vessels were often battered while at the quayside; the sharp, jagged rocks of the seabed caused much damage to the craft so that many owners refused to risk their ships mooring there. The works closed at the start of the First World War and most of the useful equipment and machinery was removed to be used by a firm in Caernarfon some time before the Second World War. Most of the remainder has slowly rusted away ever since. Recommended further reading: LinkExternal link (Dave Sallery’s History of Porth Wen Brickworks) LinkExternal link (Anglesey Hidden Gems)
Ruins at Porth Wen The abandoned brickworks at Porth Wen lies on the north coast of Anglesey, a few miles to the west of Amlwch. It was opened to make refractory bricks for use in the steel industry. It is believed that the manufacture of bricks on the site began around the turn of the twentieth century. The type of brick produced was based on the local yellow clay rather than the usual red house brick. They were capable of withstanding higher temperatures that normal bricks and may have been used for the lining of kilns and furnaces. Despite the high quality brick and tiles produced, transport was always a problem for the brickworks as all raw materials and products had to be transported by sea. A small quay was built for the loading and unloading of ships but the poor harbour became a big hindrance to profitability. As well as the effects of tides, a heavy swell was often encountered and the small vessels were often battered while at the quayside; the sharp, jagged rocks of the seabed caused much damage to the craft so that many owners refused to risk their ships mooring there. The works closed at the start of the First World War and most of the useful equipment and machinery was removed to be used by a firm in Caernarfon some time before the Second World War. Most of the remainder has slowly rusted away ever since. Recommended further reading: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> (Dave Sallery’s History of Porth Wen Brickworks) <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/porth-wen-brick-works.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/porth-wen-brick-works.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> (Anglesey Hidden Gems)
Ruins at Porth Wen
The abandoned brickworks at Porth Wen lies on the north coast of Anglesey, a few miles to the west of Amlwch. It was opened to make refractory bricks for use in the steel industry. It is believed that the manufacture of bricks on the site began around the turn of the twentieth century. The type of brick produced was based on the local yellow clay rather than the usual red house brick. They were capable of withstanding higher temperatures that normal bricks and may have been used for the lining of kilns and furnaces. Despite the high quality brick and tiles produced, transport was always a problem for the brickworks as all raw materials and products had to be transported by sea. A small quay was built for the loading and unloading of ships but the poor harbour became a big hindrance to profitability. As well as the effects of tides, a heavy swell was often encountered and the small vessels were often battered while at the quayside; the sharp, jagged rocks of the seabed caused much damage to the craft so that many owners refused to risk their ships mooring there. The works closed at the start of the First World War and most of the useful equipment and machinery was removed to be used by a firm in Caernarfon some time before the Second World War. Most of the remainder has slowly rusted away ever since. Recommended further reading: LinkExternal link (Dave Sallery’s History of Porth Wen Brickworks) LinkExternal link (Anglesey Hidden Gems)
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Porth Wen is located at Grid Ref: SH4094 (Lat: 53.423939, Lng: -4.4011496)

Unitary Authority: Isle of Anglesey

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///isolating.haggle.beeline. Near Cemaes Bay, Isle of Anglesey

Nearby Locations

Porth Ynys-wair Traeth y Gwartheg Trwyn Llech Trwynbychan Porth Pridd Porth Wen

Related Wikis

Porth Wen Brickworks
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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.423939,-4.4011496
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 53.4208052/-4.400303
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 53.4228226/-4.4079532
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 53.42223/-4.4074767
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Bicycle: no
Foot: yes
Horse: no
Lat/Long: 53.421486/-4.3986522
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth Wen Brickworks
Man Made: chimney
Lat/Long: 53.4244059/-4.4066471
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth Wen Brickworks
Man Made: chimney
Lat/Long: 53.4240371/-4.406613
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth Wen
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 53.4244375/-4.4016455
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth y Castell
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 53.4218291/-4.4022034
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth Ynys-wair
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 53.4231845/-4.3983839
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Porth Pridd
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 53.4242074/-4.3981693
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Porth y Castell Anglesey
Port Bawn Stirlingshire

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