Wildheart Escapes
Anglesey
A Dog-Friendly Escape to Anglesey: Our Stay at The Gardeners Bothy, Plas Newydd
Anglesey has this way of slowing everything down - in the best possible way. And The Gardeners Bothy felt like the perfect base to experience it all, especially with the dogs.
Anglesey had been on our list for a while, and after this trip, I can safely say it’s one of those places that just gets it right. It’s slower, quieter, and feels a little bit untouched in places - the kind of destination where you don’t feel the need to rush around ticking things off. Which, if you’re anything like us (and travelling with dogs), is exactly what you want.
Our Stay at The Gardeners Bothy
The cottage itself is full of character. Think ornate fireplaces in the bedrooms, high ceilings, and that slightly grand feel, but without losing the cosy side of things. The living room, especially in the evenings, is exactly what you want after a day out - log burner on, dogs settled, and nowhere else you need to be.
The kitchen was also a bit of a highlight for me. It’s properly set up with a range-style cooker, which always makes it feel more like an experience rather than just “cooking dinner”. We ended up doing exactly that on our first night - staying in, cooking something nice, and just enjoying the slower pace.
Dog-Friendly Details
For anyone visiting with dogs, it’s genuinely a lovely, dog-friendly stay - but with a couple of things worth noting.
Dogs aren’t allowed on the furniture, and the garden isn’t secure, so it’s something to be mindful of if you have escape artists or dogs who like to roam.
That said, the real highlight is the private woodland onsite. Having that right on your doorstep completely makes it special. Early morning walks through the trees, with that quiet, misty stillness… it was probably one of our favourite parts of the whole stay.
Things to Do in Anglesey
One of the things I loved most about Anglesey is that you don’t have to try too hard to enjoy it. Some of our favourite moments were the simplest ones.
We spent some time at Newborough Beach, which is easily one of the most beautiful spots on the island. From there you can walk across to Ynys Llanddwyn, a small tidal island with the most incredible views and its own lighthouse. It’s one of those places that feels a bit special without really trying - wide open space, sea air, and plenty of room for the dogs to explore.
Just a quick tip if you’re planning to visit: the island is tidal, so it’s worth checking times before you go.
We also headed over to Penmon Point on a slightly greyer day, and it had a completely different feel - a bit more wild and windswept, but still just as lovely. The lighthouse there is much smaller but sits right on the edge of the sea, with views out towards Puffin Island.
Food & Dog-Friendly Spots
We ate at Dylan’s one evening, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
They were really accommodating with the dogs, which always makes such a difference, especially when you’re travelling with one who needs a bit more space. We were tucked into a quieter corner which made everything feel much more relaxed.
And the food… I’m still thinking about the seafood chowder. If you go, just order it. I'm still dreaming of it now...... *homer simpson drool*
Final Thoughts
No rushing around, no packed itinerary - just good food, fresh air, cosy evenings, and time together.
Anglesey is one of those places that stays with you a bit. It’s not loud about how good it is, but that’s kind of the point. And as for The Gardeners Bothy - it’s the kind of place you settle into quickly and don’t really want to leave.
We’re already talking about going back… which probably says it all.