Penmon Priory and Lighthouse

So, after the boat trip to Puffin Island, was there cake? Was there even a cup of tea? No. Barely had my feet touched dry land, when off we went again, through narrow one track lanes towards Penmon- Penmon Priory to be exact. I'd had a taster of it prior to the boat trip, but we decided it would be better to do the boat trip first, seeing as we were pressed for time and the priory didn't shut as such (though, for your reference, should you decide on a visit, the church is locked at 6pm, earlier if there are no cars in the car park).
 If you like your historic buildings and you're in the area, make a point of visiting this. There were a few visitors there when we arrived (about 4pm), but it's not busy, and the car-park attendants (who I assume are volunteers) are very chatty and helpful. The car parking is £3, and that includes access to the priory and your toll to go to the light house later. If you need to leave and come back again, tell the attendant and they will note down your car reg. and not charge you again when you return.  

It's a compact site, so ideal for the weary and foot sore, though the less spritely may need some assistance here and there.
 Most of the buildings here date from the thirteen century, and were probably built on the site of the original Celtic monastery. Further buildings were added in the sixteenth century.
 The original settlement was founded by St Seiriol in the sixth century and St Seiriol's Holy Well can still be accessed through one end of the car park.
 The priory was occupied by Augustinian monks until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the sixteenth century, when it was handed over to the Bulkeley family, who were responsible for the wonderful dovecote.

 Don't forget to visit the church in the complex, as well, which is also very interesting, boasting medieval architecture and some nice stained glass windows. If you want to have a look at what you might be missing, hop over to my Pinterest page, and see all the pictures relating to this.
 So, having had our fill of this site, we headed over to Penmon Lighthouse. This was another interesting place, but for other reasons.
Besides the lighthouse (which you can get to at low tide), there is a wonderful array of rock pools both deep and shallow, with varying amounts of sea-life trapped in them by the retreating tide. If your little ones have been unimpressed with the priory, they will love this.

  If memory serves me correctly, there is a little refreshment hut nearby and this may just be the thing you need to placate and weary any junior members of the family before the long drive home. So don't forget the shrimping nets. Also look out for fossils- there are some very apparent ones under your feet.
 As for the Trwyn Du Lighthouse, it is still in use, and if you click on the highlighted link, you should find some more information on it

So, all in all, an interesting and relatively cheap day out. I believe our next outing will be to the deepest, darkest interior of North Wales in search of obscure chapels, lost Roman outposts and places not even the postman has heard of.