At a glance
Northeast Anglesey monastic site with unbroken sacred history from 6th century — St Seiriol's cell and holy well, 12th-century Augustinian priory church (still in use), ruined refectory, and magnificent 17th-century dovecote. Free. Puffin Island offshore. Penmon Point 1 mile (toll). Beaumaris 4 miles. LL58 8RZ.
About Penmon Priory
Penmon Priory stands at the northeastern corner of Anglesey — a monastic site of extraordinary continuity, from the 6th-century cell of St Seiriol through the Augustinian priory of the 12th century to the active Church in Wales parish church of today. The original monastery was established by Seiriol, one of Anglesey's two patron saints, who also maintained a hermitage on Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol) half a mile offshore. His cell and holy well survive at Penmon, covered by a small ancient enclosure a short walk from the main church.
The priory church, dating largely from the 12th and 13th centuries, is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Wales — the nave and south transept retain their original Norman stonework with good carved capitals and arches. The ruins of the cloister range and refectory stand alongside. In the grounds, a large 17th-century dovecote built by the Bulkeley family of nearby Baron Hill holds approximately 1,000 nesting alcoves — an indication of the estate's former wealth and one of the best-preserved dovecotes in Wales.
One mile beyond the priory, at the end of a toll road, Penmon Point gives views across to Puffin Island (now a cormorant and shag colony, managed as a nature reserve) and to the mainland mountains of Snowdonia. The lighthouse on the headland has operated since 1831. Beaumaris Castle and the Georgian town of Beaumaris are 4 miles south-west.
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Frequently asked questions
St Seiriol (Seiriol the Fair) was one of the two patron saints of Anglesey — the other being St Cybi (Cybi of Holyhead). According to tradition, Seiriol established a monastery at Penmon in the 6th century AD, and a hermitage on Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol) offshore from Penmon Point. The two saints are said to have met regularly at a midpoint between their foundations, and because Seiriol always walked east in the morning (away from the sun) and west in the evening (again away from the sun), he remained pale-complexioned — earning him the name "Seiriol the Fair" — while Cybi, walking into the sun both ways, was darkened ("Cybi the Tanned"). St Seiriol's original cell and the holy well beside it survive at Penmon, covered by a small roofed enclosure. The well was a pilgrimage destination throughout the medieval period.
The monastic site at Penmon has an unbroken sacred history from the 6th century to the present day. The original monastery of St Seiriol was one of the most important early Christian foundations in north Wales. By the 12th century the site had been reorganised as an Augustinian priory, and the substantial church that stands today dates largely from this period — the nave and south transept are 12th century, with good Romanesque stonework. The priory was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536; the church then passed into parochial use and is still active as a Church in Wales church. The ruined refectory and cloister range survive alongside the church. A large 17th-century dovecote, built by the Bulkeley family who owned the estate, stands in the grounds — one of the finest examples in Wales, with room for approximately 1,000 pigeons.
Puffin Island (Ynys Seiriol) lies half a mile offshore from Penmon Point — the most northeastern corner of Anglesey. The island is a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, managed as a seabird colony. Despite its name, puffins are no longer a significant presence (they were once heavily harvested here); the island now supports large colonies of cormorants and shags, along with Manx shearwaters that nest in burrows at night. The island is not open to the public for landing, but boat trips from Beaumaris pass around it, and views from Penmon Point (1 mile from the priory, toll road) give good sightings of the bird colonies and the lighthouse on the headland between the priory and the point.
The priory ruins, church, dovecote, and St Seiriol's Well are free to visit — Cadw manages the site as a free open-access property. There is a car park at the priory (free). If you drive the road beyond the priory to Penmon Point (1 mile), a toll is charged at a barrier on the road. The Point itself — with the lighthouse, Puffin Island views, and open sea panorama — is worth the toll. The priory and Point are often combined: park at the priory (free), visit the buildings and well, then drive or walk the 1 mile to the Point.
Penmon Priory is 4 miles north-east of Beaumaris on the B5109 and minor roads. From Beaumaris, follow signs to Penmon — the road narrows as it approaches the northeast tip of Anglesey. There is a car park at the priory. There is no bus service to Penmon; a car or bicycle is necessary. Cyclists will find the approach road from Beaumaris straightforward. The priory is an easy addition to a visit to Beaumaris Castle (4 miles south) and the Beaumaris Gaol (also in Beaumaris); combined, the three form a good half-day of Anglesey heritage.