Ynys Enlli

Island in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Ynys Enlli

Landing on Bardsey There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan  to Jura, Scarab etc.  The boat is heading for the inlet of 
Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
Landing on Bardsey Credit: Richard Webb

Ynys Enlli, also known as Bardsey Island, is a small yet historically significant island located off the coast of Caernarfonshire in North Wales. It is situated approximately 2 miles west of the Llyn Peninsula and covers an area of about 1.25 square miles.

The island has a rich religious history, dating back to the 6th century when it was believed to be the burial place of 20,000 saints. It became a popular pilgrimage site during medieval times and was home to a monastic settlement until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Today, the remains of an Augustinian priory can still be seen on the island.

Ynys Enlli is renowned for its biodiversity and has been designated as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare bird species such as the chough and the Manx shearwater. It also boasts stunning landscapes, with rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and rolling hills.

Due to its remote location and limited facilities, Ynys Enlli has a small population, with only a few permanent residents. However, it attracts a steady stream of visitors, particularly during the summer months, who come to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the island. There are limited accommodation options available, including a campsite and self-catering cottages.

To reach Ynys Enlli, visitors can take a boat from Porth Meudwy, near Aberdaron. The island offers various walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its unique landscapes and immerse themselves in its rich history and natural wonders.

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Ynys Enlli Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.7611/-4.7866 or Grid Reference SH1221. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Landing on Bardsey There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan  to Jura, Scarab etc.  The boat is heading for the inlet of 
Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
Landing on Bardsey
There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan to Jura, Scarab etc. The boat is heading for the inlet of Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
View from Mynydd Enlli The mountain on Ynys Enlli / Bardsey with a view to the south of the island. The small inlet of Cafn Enlli is visible in front of the bigger bay on the left. This is where boats land or leave from.
View from Mynydd Enlli
The mountain on Ynys Enlli / Bardsey with a view to the south of the island. The small inlet of Cafn Enlli is visible in front of the bigger bay on the left. This is where boats land or leave from.
The misty isle The title might suggest the Isle of Skye, but this is Ynys Enlli [Bardsey] shrouded in sea mist on a warm September day.
The misty isle
The title might suggest the Isle of Skye, but this is Ynys Enlli [Bardsey] shrouded in sea mist on a warm September day.
Bardsey Island from Pen y Cil Bardsey Island is known as the Island of 20,000 saints whilst its Welsh name, Ynys Enlli, refers to it as the Island of Currents. The English name refers to bards or chieftains.
Bardsey has a bird observatory, a lighthouse and was made a National Nature Reserve in 1986.
In the midground the shallow rocky outcrop in the sea is Carreg Ddu or Black stone.
Bardsey Island from Pen y Cil
Bardsey Island is known as the Island of 20,000 saints whilst its Welsh name, Ynys Enlli, refers to it as the Island of Currents. The English name refers to bards or chieftains. Bardsey has a bird observatory, a lighthouse and was made a National Nature Reserve in 1986. In the midground the shallow rocky outcrop in the sea is Carreg Ddu or Black stone.
The main - and only - road on Bardsey Island
The main - and only - road on Bardsey Island
Bardsey view From the farm buildings towards the lighthouse
Bardsey view
From the farm buildings towards the lighthouse
The Old School, Bardsey Island The School House was originally the 'old chapel' building for islanders until a more formal school was established in 1875 for the twelve students on the island at the time.
The Old School, Bardsey Island
The School House was originally the 'old chapel' building for islanders until a more formal school was established in 1875 for the twelve students on the island at the time.
Plas Bach, Ynys Enlli These buildings are now used to house the tourists who come to Bardsey Island on vacation
Plas Bach, Ynys Enlli
These buildings are now used to house the tourists who come to Bardsey Island on vacation
Bardsey Abbey The fragmentary remains of the thirteenth century Augustinian abbey who took over from the ancient Celtic foundation of the sixth century. Nearby a Celtic cross stands commemorating the now mostly Christian religious past and very numerous, 20,000, saints reputed to have been buried in or near the site.
Bardsey Abbey
The fragmentary remains of the thirteenth century Augustinian abbey who took over from the ancient Celtic foundation of the sixth century. Nearby a Celtic cross stands commemorating the now mostly Christian religious past and very numerous, 20,000, saints reputed to have been buried in or near the site.
On the slopes of Mynydd Enlli Looking north towards Bae'r Nant
On the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Looking north towards Bae'r Nant
Bardsey Island Looking down on the hamlet from the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Bardsey Island
Looking down on the hamlet from the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Maen Bugail Maen Bugail is a small rock, which lies about 0.3 mile N of the N end of Bardsey Island. A heavy tide race extends nearly 0.5 mile N from this rock.
Maen Bugail
Maen Bugail is a small rock, which lies about 0.3 mile N of the N end of Bardsey Island. A heavy tide race extends nearly 0.5 mile N from this rock.
Bardsey Island Looking down on the main centre of the island from Mynydd Enlli
Bardsey Island
Looking down on the main centre of the island from Mynydd Enlli
Swnt Enlli - Bardsey Sound The area of the Irish Sea between the island and the mainland, from the mountaintop
Swnt Enlli - Bardsey Sound
The area of the Irish Sea between the island and the mainland, from the mountaintop
View east from the top of Bardsey Mountain
View east from the top of Bardsey Mountain
The steep eastern side of Bardsey Mountain
The steep eastern side of Bardsey Mountain
On top of Mynydd Enlli Over Bardsey Sound is the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula; the two peaks on the left are Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd Anelog.
On top of Mynydd Enlli
Over Bardsey Sound is the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula; the two peaks on the left are Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd Anelog.
Faint path along the ridge of Mynydd Enlli
Faint path along the ridge of Mynydd Enlli
Show me another place!

Ynys Enlli is located at Grid Ref: SH1221 (Lat: 52.7611, Lng: -4.7866)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales

Also known as: Bardsey Island

What 3 Words

///enclosing.spring.overture. Near Nefyn, Gwynedd

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.7611,-4.7866
Cristin
Created By: Potlatch 0.10
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 52.7586213/-4.7875702
Tynacoch
Created By: Potlatch 0.10
Place: locality
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.7567513/-4.7876561
Y Gareg Fawr
Created By: Potlatch 0.10
Place: locality
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.7621532/-4.7899735
Mynydd Enlli
Ele: 167
Natural: peak
Place: locality
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.7622918/-4.782963
Ogof Morlo
Natural: cave_entrance
Lat/Long: 52.762476/-4.780879
Bae Felen
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 52.7627988/-4.7802991
Direction: 165
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 16
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.7640733/-4.7880757
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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