Discover Anglesey's new Gŵyl Cybi a Seiriol pilgrimage festival, featuring historic churches, guided walks, music, ancient landmarks and stunning coastal scenery.
If you've ever watched a programme like Pilgrimage and thought, "I'd love to try that," then a brand-new festival taking place on Anglesey this summer could be right up your street.
From 3–5 July, Gŵyl Cybi a Seiriol will invite visitors to discover one of Wales' most fascinating pilgrimage routes, combining history, heritage, stunning scenery and a healthy dose of adventure.
The route stretches an impressive 57 miles across the island, linking churches, ancient monuments and some of Anglesey's most breathtaking coastal landscapes. Inspired by the story of sixth-century saints Cybi and Seiriol, it offers a chance to explore the island in a completely different way.
Even if you're not planning to tackle all 57 miles, the festival programme is packed with events designed to bring the route's rich history to life.
Along the way, pilgrims and visitors can discover remarkable landmarks including St Cybi's Church inside the Roman fort at Holyhead, the dramatic coastline around Rhoscolyn, the beautiful St Gwenfaen's Well, Wales' last working windmill at Melin Llynon, and the ancient Lligwy Burial Chamber, which dates back around 5,000 years.
The festival itself will feature guided walks, talks exploring local history and sacred landscapes, a cello recital at Penmon, a special performance inspired by the Royal Charter shipwreck, a pilgrimage service and blessing, and a traditional Cymanfa Ganu at Holyhead.
The route is rooted in the legend of Saints Cybi and Seiriol, who established religious communities at opposite ends of Anglesey. According to tradition, they regularly met in the centre of the island to pray together. Their journeys even inspired local folklore, with Seiriol becoming known as "Seiriol Wyn" and Cybi as "Cybi Felyn" because of the way the sun shone on their faces during their respective walks.
One particularly charming feature of the route is the pilgrim passport. Visitors can collect stamps from 11 churches along the way, with the stamp designs created by local schoolchildren to reflect the history and character of each location.
Best of all, the festival events are free to attend, although advance booking is required for most activities. Whether you're interested in history, faith, walking, music or simply exploring somewhere new, this unique festival offers a wonderful way to experience the stories and landscapes of Anglesey.
Organised by the Diocese of Bangor, the festival aims to introduce more people to Anglesey's churches, landscape and Christian heritage. Archdeacon of Anglesey John Harvey said: "We're seeing growing interest in pilgrimage across Wales because of programmes like BBC Pilgrimage. People enjoy the chance to walk, discover new places and learn about some of Anglesey's historic churches."
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