South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve
South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve
South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Overlooking the Irish Sea RSPB South Stack Cliffs is a heathland paradise waiting to be explored. Wind your way along the dramatic trails and take in the expansive views across Anglesey. There are great views of South Stack Lighthouse from Ellin's Tower. In spring and summer, marvel at the spectacular wildflower carpet covering the clifftops and seek out the rare spathulate fleawort, which grows nowhere else on earth! Carefully and quietly explore the edges of the heather and you might see lizards or even an adder. Visit Ellin's Tower for great views of the seabird city in spring and its puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Try to spot porpoise, dolphins and seals out to sea.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Best nearby
Restaurants
63 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Cynthia RWrexham, United Kingdom19 contributionsSuperbThe food was absolutely delicious - and the jam and cream scones to die for !! though lots of other delicious foods and cakes on offer too Lovely friendly staff - you are always greeted by a friendly face each time you visit. Fabulous views for miles and fabulous walks with amazing birdlife. Lovely outside seating/eating area too and dog friendlyVisited February 2023Written March 28, 2023
- Kaz DWales, United Kingdom8 contributionsVolunteering in the wonderful habitat. #wildlifewalks #seabirdsafarisLove this place so much, I applied to volunteer. Offering wildlife walks & do other tasks as needed. The RSPB Reserve at Southstack has so much to offer from stunning views, walks, wonderful bird life especially in nesting season. Home to Resident Rare Choughs, site is managed to maintain ideal Chough Habitat. Beautiful wild flowers from the endemic spatulate fleawort to Spotted Rock Rose Anglesey’s County Flower. I hope I inspire any of the visitors I meet & they too get hookedVisited May 2023Traveled soloWritten May 29, 2023
- AlisonWolverhamptonWombourne, United Kingdom386 contributionsWell worth a visit.Early Spring and Summer is a great time to visit this beautiful picturesque location. Loads of birds to see around the cliffs and sea. The RSPB staff and volunteers are all knowledgeable and helpful. There's a lovely lighthouse with 100s of steps down to it and a guided tour. Great cafe and shop.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 31, 2023
- Jay BFairhope, Alabama1,050 contributionsIncredible Beauty with Amazing BirdsAs an avid birder, I was so looking forward to South Stack and this place did not disappoint! The views from the South Stack cliffs are breathtaking! Take your time and wander carefully down towards cliff's edge. You will likely be treated to unforgettable lighthouse views and hundreds (if not thousands) of beautiful birds. Note that the terrain is quite rocky and treacherous for folks with significant ambulatory issues. Note that you can still enjoy amazing views from the upper areas without traversing the rocky areas.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 24, 2023
- R32EastMidlands168 contributionsA great place to visit!I really, really wanted to see some Choughs. South Stack is claimed to have a population. So off we went, impressed with the reserves visitor centre, staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. Good range of food and drinks in a modern clean, large visitor centre. You almost think you’re at the end of the world. Great range of wildlife to be seen from dolphins and porpoises to the odd turtle. Great range of birds too. A list of sightings is kept in Ellen’s Tower just a short walk from the centre. We did see our Choughs and I was over the moon. A staggeringly beautiful bird. Far from a jackdaw with red legs and beak. I’ve seen it said that it’s the aristocrat of the Crow family, which seems absolutely true. A great place to visit, views are staggering.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 23, 2023
- mooselooseabootSheffield, United Kingdom3 contributionsWelsh hospitality at its finest and good cakesCycled up to the South Stack visitor centre. Staff at the RSPB cafe were really friendly. Clean tables. Coffee and cake excellent. 2 Choughs passed the windows performing aerobatics every 5 mins, great sea views. Will be back.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 3, 2023
- Pippa SWye Valley of Monmouthshire, United Kingdom31 contributionsStunning location and great walksWhen we came here last year, it was so windy we nearly got blown into the sea. This time it was still and calm, with glorious sunshine - amazing for January! We had a good walk along the cliff and a picnic in the car park. Not many birds about, but stunning views. Staff in the visitor centre are lovely - very friendly and helpful. You could easily spend all day here if you like walking, but for the less mobile, there is still lots to see from the carpark and visitor centre. Well worth visiting.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.5
906 reviews
Excellent
637
Very good
215
Average
36
Poor
7
Terrible
11
Jim C
8 contributions
Aug 2022
I've been visiting South Stack for more years than I can remember but certainly more than 50 years, It seems that the reserve is doing well and visitor numbers are up but somethings have changed and not for the better, The RSPB have streamlined the main sight with parking now charged and the catering having lost its 'home made' appeal. For some reason seesaws and swings have been introduced with all available space being covered in picnic tables,
These alterations have deducted from the nature experience as they attract more visitors which has in turn reduced the immediate con and tact with the birds, It used to be fun watching choughs and jackdaws hustle for food,, various butterflies feeding on the heather and nettles whilst over head swallows and martins swooped in salute feeding greedily before heading out to sea and their Ireland home.
Sorry RSPB but your alterations have detracted from the what was a natural experience. The lack of the smell of home cooking coming from the cafe is extremely noticeable alas. I very much doubt that I could arrive at the car park at five in the morning in June and watch a fox rummage through the waste baskets, watch a pod of dolphins go through towards Cardiganshire then see a male cuckoo made land fall and immediately attract females and covering them straight away. That was South Stack in its heyday which under your arrangements will not be seen again
These alterations have deducted from the nature experience as they attract more visitors which has in turn reduced the immediate con and tact with the birds, It used to be fun watching choughs and jackdaws hustle for food,, various butterflies feeding on the heather and nettles whilst over head swallows and martins swooped in salute feeding greedily before heading out to sea and their Ireland home.
Sorry RSPB but your alterations have detracted from the what was a natural experience. The lack of the smell of home cooking coming from the cafe is extremely noticeable alas. I very much doubt that I could arrive at the car park at five in the morning in June and watch a fox rummage through the waste baskets, watch a pod of dolphins go through towards Cardiganshire then see a male cuckoo made land fall and immediately attract females and covering them straight away. That was South Stack in its heyday which under your arrangements will not be seen again
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth C
Shrewsbury, UK2,224 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We visited here to get the amazing views of the lighthouse. There is a car park, great cafe, shop and toilets here too. There is an outdoor picnic area and you can walk down to the viewpoint to look at the lighthouse. The views are amazing. You can buy tickets here for the lighthouse tour, however this does involve a lot of climbing down steep steps at the cliff edge so it is not for everyone. We spent an hour here and then went on to the Breakwater Country Park, which made a great excursion overall.
Written September 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kvasirsblood
County Durham, UK283 contributions
May 2021
We never visited the Holy Island last time we were in Anglesey - put off slightly as we had heard Holyhead was a bit rundown. This time we did some better research and found the South Stacks area and visited on a lovely May Day. The lighthouse is closed but we did not miss it as the walks around the cliffs and the views were lovely with lots of birds and a nice, well organised cafe. We also went to the lower car park and walked around the Bronze Age roundhouses which were also very interesting. A wonderful visit - I even got sunburned.
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey F
2 contributions
Feb 2022
Exceptional views and walk between South and North stacks and back over Holyhead mountain. We’re really looking forward to a warm, a cake & a coffee afterwards.
Huge disappointment as both the RSBP Visitor Centre and cafe, which claim to love all wildlife, refused entry to us because we brought our small dog with us!!
Very surprised.
Huge disappointment as both the RSBP Visitor Centre and cafe, which claim to love all wildlife, refused entry to us because we brought our small dog with us!!
Very surprised.
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon E
North Wales, UK252 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
It was really busy here on arrival, with no parking places available. We hovered around and eventually a couple
Left, and we got a parking space! Very popular place. Most people weren’t really looking at the wildlife/bird life, more using the cafe (very nice, stunning views) or picnicking in the outdoor area. We walked along the cliff edges, which was very quiet, and were able to see a huge amount of sea birds, choughs, and the like. Nicer down the bottom carpark, less people about. Views are amazing from every angle, breezy too! Worth a trip to see the birds nesting.
Left, and we got a parking space! Very popular place. Most people weren’t really looking at the wildlife/bird life, more using the cafe (very nice, stunning views) or picnicking in the outdoor area. We walked along the cliff edges, which was very quiet, and were able to see a huge amount of sea birds, choughs, and the like. Nicer down the bottom carpark, less people about. Views are amazing from every angle, breezy too! Worth a trip to see the birds nesting.
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather C
United Kingdom13 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Absolutely lovely place, knowledgeable rspb staff and volunteers. Great cafe. This was our second attempt to visit. First time we arrived at noon on a Sunday. The 3 carparks were totally full with cars circling in each to try to find a space. The second time we arrived before 10 on a Monday. The main carpark was full by 10.30am. We parked without a problem, although you do need £5 in cash, or join the RSPB for free parking. Well worth it, saw puffins and thousands of Guillemots.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
Stafford, UK469 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We.walked round as slight headland to suddenly come upon the view of the lighthouse from the centre.This was I’m sure the best approach to first sight of this beautifully situated lighthouse and made the experience.Later we parked above and were less impressed from that aspect although the ice creams from the cafe were good, A pleasant and undemanding walk but crowded when we visited
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rocketman
Holyhead, UK54 contributions
Jul 2021
Have visited South Stack many times. The views are superb on a fine day. The bird and plant life is wonderful. My visit today was unfortunately marred by a member of staff (Barbara). There is a one way system which is not too obvious. My wife wanted to visit the shop and was told in rather a rude way to use the other door because of test and trace questions. That was OK but a lady next to us said she also wanted to just go in the shop. She was allowed in and my wife wasn’t. There were no test and trace questions for this lady. Barbara said very rudely “I live here”. She is very clearly anti tourist and maybe anti english. Unfortunately none of the staff today were very friendly and would obviously prefer that people didn’t go there. The cafe food is ordinary and also expensive. Don’t bother going inside just enjoy the walk and the scenery.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please could you email us south.stack@rspb.org.uk so that we can reply to your review. Many thanks
Written July 26, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yorkshiregirl29
East Riding of Yorkshire, UK333 contributions
Nov 2021
Well what can I say this is an absolutely stunning area for walking & wildlife watching. We were staying at the foot of Holyhead Mountain, during our stay walked here at some point every day. So many footpaths including the Anglesey/Wales coastal path, climb Holyhead Mountain for 360 degree views and wonderful sunsets. Walked down to North Stack fog warning station along coast path & Breakwater country park. We must've walked miles up here, beware it's rough terrain in places.
Written November 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lapsedveggie
Sheffield274 contributions
Sep 2022
An amazing place to visit. Managed to get there despite lots of road closures and parked up. Did not really understand why the options were stay for only two or five hours when it was £1 per hour - surely let the customer choose? Anyway, the place itself is lovely - good paths, helpful staff / volunteers, great location and a café with free loos. We went to the café for hot drinks before setting off - pity the only decaff coffee you could get was some Nescafe powder stuff but we managed. Would suggest that you need good walking shoes or boots as some of the paths are a bit rocky.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline A
4 contributions
Good morning, will I see puffins in early July, Kind regards, Carrie
Cr1717
Banning, CA368 contributions
Google website says you might see them in July. We went down the very steep steps, not all the way to the bottom, and look to the left just as the Guide had suggested. I only saw them with binoculars. I happen to see a glint of sunlight on the puffin orange beak. No one else near me could spot them.
pamnutting234
Wolverhampton, UK7 contributions
My partner uses a power wheelchair. Although I realise some of the main attractions are not accessible, I was wondering if there were flattish pathways amongst the lovely scenery that we could enjoy around South stack etc. Thank you☺
Mx Harley Cross
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK94 contributions
From the visitor centre which is semi accessible (bit of a squeeze inside) there is a road, not to steep which can followed to look at the cliff line.
gertie1232015
King's Lynn, UK
are dogs allowed
cennenypedr
Wales790 contributions
yes to dogs, but depends on how well behaved really. I would be concerned about the cliff edges and also about the adders that are around in the undergrowth. Seen a few and have known them to bite dogs though not heard of any such incidents at South Stack. Lots of places where dogs can have a bit more freedom
gertie1232015
King's Lynn, UK
Are dogs allowed
Rebecca C
Holyhead, UK2 contributions
Hi there, dogs are allowed across the reserve, they are allowed inside Ellin's Tower and the shop but not into the cafe (there are lots of tables outside). If you are heading out onto Holyhead mountain please be aware that there are sheep grazing there on weekdays from the end of July to November and keep your dog on a lead.
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Claim your listingSouth Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve
- Hotels near South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve:
- (0.25 mi) Ysbryd Y Mynydd in South Stack
- (0.33 mi) South Stack Coastal Retreats
- (0.34 mi) Tan Y Cytiau
- (1.43 mi) Blackthorn Farm
- (2.85 mi) Premier Inn Holyhead
- Restaurants near South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve:
- (0.02 mi) RSPB South Stack Cafe
- (2.44 mi) The Harbourfront Bistro
- (5.48 mi) Catch 22 Brasserie
- (3.60 mi) Sea Shanty Cafe
- (7.25 mi) Wavecrest Cafe