There is evidence that this area has been occupied for hundreds of years, mainly by people who depended on the sea to supplement their existence. It was the main crossing point for goods and animals who would be forced to swim across. At that time it was the local area of the Aethwy Tribe or clan whose “porth” or crossing place it was. Its Welsh name is still Porthaethwy.

In the 7th century, Tysilio, a monk from mid-Wales erected a Celtic Cross on Ynys Suliau now known as Church Island. A small, stone church was erected there in the 15th century and the dramatic War memorial in the 20th century.

There was enhancement of the natural beauty of the area by the Earl of Uxbridge, later the Marquis of Anglesey, who, in the 19th century, began to plant trees on the land facing the island . The construction of the Belgian promenade by Belgian refugees during the 1st World War continued this appeal.
From 1691 annual fairs were held in the summer and autumn months. The October one still occurs, with a much changed emphasis.
Packet boats from Liverpool brought day-trippers and holiday makers to the area at the beginning of the 20th century, at the height of the popularity of piers. St. George’s Pier at Menai Bridge was opened in 1904.

There is still a small cottage dating back to the 18th century on Beach Road but Thomas Telford stayed in Summer Court, opposite the Pleasure grounds but the main building occurred in the 19th century and Menai Bridge was a Victorian town. The Anglesey Arms Hotel was built in the end of the Suspension Bridge, the Victoria Hotel followed a few years later, nearer the town centre. Large houses were built to accommodate those of growing wealth and imposing churches were funded by the Davies family whose timber and shipping business provided the main financial backbone for the town.

1913 Map - Reproduced with the kind permission of Ordnance Survey Powered by Zoomify