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The community lies on the southeastern coast of the Isle of Anglesey. From prehistoric times, people colonised the area, but the ancient Celtic Druid culture is the most widely recognized in the region. In the first century, the Romans determined to conquer the territory, however their first encounter with the angry Druids instilled terror. The Roman nation eventually successfully invaded the land by crossing the Menai Straits. A settlement developed along the coast, expanding up into the hills.
Travelling from the mainland to the island meant a journey by ferry, which at times proved treacherous. It was not until the early 1800s that a young engineer devised a means of building a bridge from the mainland to Anglesey.
The Menai suspension bridge opened in 1826 and was the first of its kind in the world. Constructed of iron and stone, the bridge spans 579 feet (176 metres) across the narrowest point of the strait. The structure rises 100 feet (30 metres) above the water, which allowed tall masted ships to pass safely. Sixteen massive iron chains hold the deck of the bridge above the strait. The community eventually adopted the name of the bridge.
In 1850, a tubular bridge provided railway service between the mainland and Anglesey. A fire in 1970 caused severe damage requiring total renovation. The current Britannia Bridge combines railway and automotive access.
Activities and Attractions
Strolling through Menai Bridge, visitors encounter a collection of historic buildings and a wide selection of shops containing everything from antiques to woollen products. Paths along the coast allow visitors to journey to the famous suspension bridge, which looks spectacular at night when illuminated.
The Straits contain many small islands, some with causeways connecting them to Menai Bridge. The Belgian Promenade travels to a causeway that leads to Church Island. Here visitors find the St. Tysillo church, founded in the 7th century. The old church courtyard has quite the selection of granite memorial stones. The views of the bridges and the Menai Strait from the island are breathtaking. Venturing around the small wooded island, visitors also encounter a miniature Stonehenge.
Embark on an interesting day out with the family at the local Pili Palas Nature World. Enter a lush tropical environment with greenery and waterfalls while butterflies happily fly about. Specially designed habitats contain a variety of creatures ranging from birds to reptiles. The facility also features a massive bouncy castle, nature trails and play yard equipment. Young guests enjoy interacting with the array of domestic and farm animals. The café offers a selection of homemade foods and provides a place for parents to relax while children let off steam.
Places to Stay and Dining
The unique location of Menai Bridge offers guests the opportunity of staying at lodging facilities on one of the small islands. Accessible by private causeways, these unusual facilities provide modern accommodations surrounded by the tranquillity of lush gardens and woodland.
The Ruby Menai restaurant offers mouth-watering dishes from around the world. Traditional meals include pork medallions with braised red cabbage or steak fillets with garlic-roasted potatoes. Try Asian beef with pineapple coleslaw or coriander crusted cod with rice noodles and Thai sauce.
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