About

The Holyhead Breakwater Country Park was opened in 1990 and is situated on the site of an old quarry which supplied stone for the 2.39km (1.5 miles) Holyhead Breakwater, the longest in Europe, which was built between 1846 and 1873. Part of the park is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Breakwater Country Park is just a couple of miles of Holyhead town centre, easily accessible on the main road that follows the coastline past the breakwater. The park captures the scenic beauty, history and natural appeal of Anglesey all on one site and has a great deal to offer. Visitors are welcome to roam the park, or follow the designated walks through the grounds and beyond. There is varying terrain, including fields, a lake and the rocky shoreline.

WALKING ROUTES & TRAILS
The Breakwater Country Park provides an excellent centre for coastal walks and includes the Anglesey Coastal Path which runs through the reserve, following the coastline around Porth Namarch and on to North Stack and the fog signal station.

It is possible to walk along the Holyhead Breakwater, (which is the longest in the UK with a length of 1¾ miles) and other trails include the popular circular path around scenic 'Rocky Coast'; and also trails which lead to the summit of Holyhead Mountain, and along the coast to breathtaking North Stack. (The start of the trail to North Stack is marked by a memorial to several American servicemen who lost their lives in a nearby aeroplane crash in 1944. The memorial features the remains of a propeller blade from the original aircraft).

Details of the paths can be found at the Park Centre, which incorporates a car park, shop, toilets and an information centre manned by a warden.

WILDLIFE & NATURE TRAILS
The park’s nature trail is a good way to experience the area’s many different types of habitat and wildlife
Breakwater Country Park is a particularly good spot for migrant passerine birds in spring or autumn, as well as seabirds, and summer visitors like swallows and swifts, as well as choughs and peregrine falcons.

The coast is a good place to watch for harbour porpoises, grey seals and Risso’s and common dolphins. The lakes are home to breeding moorhen and mallard, and grey herons can often be seen.

The wildlife is therefore varied, but most notable are the seals who visit the Holyhead coast. You could also go on a hunt for the wild marsh and bee orchids growing in the park.