At a glance
Victorian brickworks ruins on the remote north Anglesey coastal path — distinctive beehive kilns above a sheltered cove, operational c.1850–1914. Access on foot only (2 miles from Bull Bay car park). Unmaintained site — visit with care. Free. LL68 0NS.
About Porth Wen Brickworks
Porth Wen Brickworks stands on a clifftop above a small cove on the north coast of Anglesey, midway between Cemaes Bay and Bull Bay. The works operated from around 1850 to 1914, manufacturing silica bricks from local quartzite for use as refractory materials in steelworks and furnaces — the high silica content of the north Anglesey quartzite made it unusually valuable for industrial purposes. Finished bricks were loaded directly onto ships from the quay at the sheltered cove below the works. When the industry declined after the First World War, the site was abandoned and the buildings left standing.
More than a century of abandonment has given the ruins a haunting quality. The most distinctive features are the beehive kilns — circular domed brick structures that rise from the site like small igloos, substantially intact despite decades without maintenance. Stone processing buildings, loading ramps, and quay walls complete the picture of a once-busy industrial site now reclaimed by wind and sea spray. The setting intensifies the effect: sheer cliffs, the sea directly below, and no other habitation in sight.
The site is reached exclusively on foot via the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path — approximately 2 miles from Bull Bay (Porth Llechog) to the east, or 2 miles from Cemaes Bay to the west. The walk itself — along dramatic north coast cliff tops — is excellent regardless of the destination. Cemlyn Bay nature reserve, with one of the largest tern colonies in Wales, is 4 miles west along the coast.
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Frequently asked questions
Porth Wen Brickworks is the ruin of a Victorian brick-manufacturing works on the north coast of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span>, perched above a small sheltered cove called Porth Wen (White Cove). The works operated from around 1850 to 1914, producing silica bricks from local quartzite rock for use as refractory bricks in steelworks and furnaces — the high silica content of the local stone made it ideal for this purpose. Ships loaded the bricks directly from the quay at the cove. When the works closed, the buildings were left standing; they have become one of the most atmospheric industrial ruins in Wales.
The ruins include several large stone processing buildings, a row of distinctive beehive-shaped kilns (the most visually striking feature of the site), and the remains of the loading quay above the cove. The kilns — circular domed brick structures approximately 4–5 metres in diameter — are in remarkable condition given that they have been abandoned for more than 100 years. The industrial machinery is long gone, but the structural remains give a clear sense of the scale and organisation of the operation. The cove below the ruins, accessible at low tide, is dramatic and sheltered.
The brickworks are accessible only on foot via the Isle of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span> Coastal Path. The most practical approach is from the car park at Bull Bay (Porth Llechog), which is approximately 2 miles east of the site via the coastal path. Alternatively, the path from Cemaes Bay (2 miles west) can be used. Both approaches involve uneven coastal path terrain with some steep sections — walking boots are advisable, and the site should not be attempted in poor visibility or high winds. There is no road access to the site itself.
The site should be visited with care — it is an unmaintained industrial ruin with no safety barriers, crumbling stone walls, and cliff edges nearby. The beehive kilns and building interiors should not be entered. The coastal path approaching the site involves steep and uneven sections. Children should be closely supervised. The site is at its safest in dry, calm conditions with good visibility. Despite these cautions, the ruins are genuinely spectacular and the walk along the north coast of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span> to reach them is reward enough in its own right.
The north coast of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span> between Cemaes Bay and Bull Bay is one of the least-visited stretches of the island — remote, dramatic cliff scenery with relatively few visitor facilities. Cemaes Bay is a pleasant small resort with a sheltered beach. Cemlyn Bay nature reserve (4 miles west of the brickworks) is home to one of the largest tern colonies in Wales, a brackish lagoon managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Point Lynas lighthouse is 6 miles east. The whole stretch can be walked as part of the Isle of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span> Coastal Path.