The Menai Bridge is a historic bridge and iconic suspension bridge built in the 19th century. This famous bridge has become a well-known destination in North Wales as it vitally links the Island of Anglesey to the mainland. However, the bridge is not only known for its functionality, its beautiful design and scenic setting along the Menai Strait have made the bridge a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts.

This is an evening view of the Menai Bridge in Wales — *View of the Menai Bridge in Wale*s

In this post we will explore the history of Menai Bridge while providing travel information on how to get there and things to do near the bridge. Let's explore Menai Bridge!

History of the Menai Bridge

The Menai Strait has a long history as a challenging waterway, notorious for its strong tides and rough conditions that have caused numerous boats to capsize, resulting in a loss of life. This tidal flow connects the Irish Sea to the North Sea and was once a vital route for shipping and trade. The strait is also a haven for marine life, with dolphins, seals, and migratory birds passing through the area. The necessity for safe passage across the Menai Strait was the main reason the Menai Bridge was built.

This is a night view of the Menai Suspension Bridge — *Night view of Menai Bridge*

The Menai Suspension Bridge was designed by the renowned Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and opened on January 30th, 1826, as the first major suspension bridge in the world. This iconic bridge was built to cut nine hours off the journey from London to Holyhead, serving as the main link between the mainland and the island of Anglesey. Constructed with limestone from Penmon and ironwork from Hazeldine’s foundry near Shrewsbury, it showcases the industrial might of the time.

Despite the importance of the Menai Bridge, the growing need for efficient transportation led to the construction of the Britannia Bridge many years later. This second crossing was needed to relieve traffic from the Menai Bridge and connect the UK mainland to the Isle of Anglesey. The unique concept of a tubular bridge like the Britannia Bridge highlights the engineering challenges and solutions of the 19th century.

Historically, the Britannia Bridge near Bangor was built to carry rail traffic and was a key part of transportation and connectivity in the area. It was originally designed with iron tubes to carry heavy trains. However, it faced many historical challenges, including a major fire in 1970.

View of the Britannia Bridge along the Menai Strait — *Britannia Bridge by Oliver Mills, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons*

The Britannia Bridge was later rebuilt in 1974, resulting in two bridges at this spot of the Menai Strait. The main function of the current Britannia Bridge is to facilitate transportation and relieve the traffic congestion caused by the Menai Bridge closures, effectively boosting tourism and trade in North Wales.

There are also ongoing proposals for a 'third crossing' to alleviate traffic congestion on the Menai Strait, caused by increased travel and previous bridge closures. These proposals include ideas for a new bridge or modifications to existing structures, highlighting the public interest and government considerations regarding infrastructure development.

Over the years, the Menai Suspension Bridge was also modified to improve its structure. In the 1930s, the original iron chains were replaced with steel ones so the bridge could carry road traffic. As a Grade I listed building, the Menai Bridge stands today as a testament to Telford’s genius, a vital lifeline for transportation, and a historic landmark in North Wales.

Visiting the Menai Bridge

Visitors can walk along the Menai Straits banks and view the bridge from the waterside. The bridge is a popular tourist attraction and offers a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape. There are lots of local walks to be explored near the bridge, however, crossing over to the Island of Anglesey is often done by car, as it's a long walk across.

Visitors can also explore the nearby Menai Bridge Town, a small town located on the Anglesey side of Menai Bridge. The town offers a range of shops, pubs, and restaurants and is also home to the Menai Heritage - The Menai Bridges Museum. Visiting the Menai Bridges Museum is a great way to learn more about the local area and the bridge's history.

Visitors can also explore the nearby Church Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Church Island houses the ancient Church of St Tysilio, which dates back to the 7th century, and it's a beautiful area to explore local history and nature.

There are plenty of things to do on the Anglesey side of the Menai Bridge, especially in Menai Bridge Town. So if you would like to have a day trip out of visiting the bridge, then visiting the Anglesey side of Menai Bridge would be a wise choice. We'll explore Anglesey further in the next section.

The Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey is a beautiful little island situated across the Menai Bridge looking out onto the Irish Sea. This island has a ton of activities and offers great nature sights, including beaches, cliffs, mountains, and forests. Anglesey is no stranger to wildlife too, as there are seals and plenty of unique birds in the area.

Exploring the Anglesey Coastal Path is one of the best things to do in the area. It offers a range of hiking and walking routes and is a great way to experience the nature. The path has a variety of beaches, scenic views, and historic sights that can be found at different locations along the way. There are many different walks available within the Anglesey Coastal Path, and the path spans for miles, so you will need to plan accordingly to find a walk or an area of the path that suits you best.

For those looking to visit a special landmark in Anglesey, I highly recommend the South Stack Lighthouse, a unique lighthouse at the edge of a cliff. It offers beautiful views of the Irish Sea and is one of the best sights in the area. The South Stack Lighthouse is actually located on the island of Holyhead, a tiny island within a few minutes drive of Anglesey.

South stack lighthouse in the Isle of Anglesey — *South Stack and South Stack Lighthouse by Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons*

If you're looking for something to do close to the Menai Bridge on the Anglesey side, taking a tour of the nearby Plas Newydd House and Gardens is another great option. It offers an excellent range of art, history, and cultural exhibitions. There is, of course, plenty more to do in Anglesey, so visiting this island on your trip to Menai Bridge is a great way to explore multiple places.

Bangor

Bangor, often called the capital of North Wales, is a great little town near Menai Bridge on the mainland. This town is on the mainland of the United Kingdom and is one of the northernmost areas of Wales. The town offers some great things to do, such as visiting Garth Pier and Bangor Cathedral. It also has close proximity to nearby sights like Caernarfon Castle, Penrhyn Castle, and the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.

Bangor is usually one of the bases for people visiting Anglesey and the Menai Bridge. It provides shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and all the typical amenities one could need. While it does not have quite as many things to do as Anglesey, its location is excellent for exploring North Wales, and it's very easy to visit Menai Bridge or other villages in North Wales from Bangor.

Hotels Near Menai Bridge

Menai Bridge is a great attraction, but there aren't many reasons to stay right next to it. However, if you do find yourself looking for a hotel near Menai Bridge, the Menai Bridge Town in Anglesey and Bangor on the mainland are the two best options. Anglesey has a ton of hotels, ranging from budget options and guesthouses to luxury resorts.

Booking.com

Bangor has slightly fewer options for hotels than Anglesey but still has a good variety with luxury and budget options available. I recommend staying on the Anglesey side in Menai Bridge Town if your priority is viewing the bridge. Either way, visiting the bridge is easy if you're staying in Bangor or Anglesey, and both offer some great options for hotels.

Summary

The Menai Suspension Bridge is one of the greatest bridges in North Wales. It's an engineering marvel and a beautiful historic bridge that offers incredible views of the Menai Strait. Visiting the bridge offers plenty of things to do nearby; whether it's exploring the Isle of Anglesey or the town of Bangor, the Menai Bridge is wonderfully located in one of the most beautiful areas of the United Kingdom. Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Menai Suspension Bridge and exploring this area of North Wales.

The Menai Bridge in Wales: Best Things to Do