Ellin's Tower

"Elin’s Tower (sometimes written Ellin’s) is one of Anglesey’s most distinctive landmarks — a striking, white-painted Victorian tower perched high above the cliffs at South Stack. Built in 1868 by William Owen Stanley, a local MP and antiquarian, it was originally designed as a folly and summer retreat for his wife, Ellin Stanley of Bodelwyddan. The date is proudly carved into a plaque above the door, making it one of those rare historic buildings where no one needs to argue about when it was built.

From the outside, Elin’s Tower looks like a miniature castle, complete with battlements and turrets, but don’t be fooled — it was built purely for decoration and the spectacular sea views rather than for any defensive purpose. Its elevated position on Holy Island, just west of Holyhead, overlooks the dramatic cliffs of the RSPB South Stack Reserve and offers panoramic views of South Stack Lighthouse and the Irish Sea.

Today, the tower is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as an information centre and viewing point. Inside, visitors can learn about the area’s wildlife, geology, and conservation work, while the surrounding cliffs provide one of the best seabird-watching experiences in Wales. During spring and early summer, the ledges below are alive with guillemots, razorbills, and puffins, while choughs – rare red-billed crows – can often be seen performing aerial acrobatics along the cliffs. Bring binoculars if you can; the sight and sound of thousands of seabirds nesting together is unforgettable.

There are car parks near the tower and at the main visitor centre, both operated by the RSPB. The walk from the tower car park is mostly level and accessible, though the route from the visitor centre includes some uneven steps. Toilets, a café, and a gift shop are located at the main centre, while dogs are welcome on leads across most of the reserve and inside the tower itself. Motorhomes can park here during the day (no height barrier), but overnight stays aren’t permitted.

Photographers will love the changing light across the cliffs, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when the low sun brings out the colours in the rock. The 400 steps leading down to South Stack Lighthouse below offer another incredible perspective if you’re feeling energetic — though you’ll want to save your legs for the climb back up.

Whether you’re here for the history, the wildlife, or simply the view, Elin’s Tower is well worth the stop. It’s a perfect example of how a Victorian folly has found new purpose — once a romantic lookout for a wealthy family, now a vital observatory helping to protect the same landscapes and seabirds that make this corner of Anglesey so extraordinary.

Address: Elin’s Tower, South Stack, Holy Island, Anglesey LL65 1YH
Run by: RSPB South Stack Reserve
Best time to visit: April to July for seabirds; sunset for photography."

EmC Photography

"The weather was great, and we could see the beautiful lighthouse!
From the car park, we walked down the stairs (you can also enjoy a lovely sea view from there!) and found a telescope for birdwatching.
We were able to spot puffins — it was an unforgettable experience!

The only downside was that some people climbed over the restricted cliffs to take photos.
It looked very dangerous and made us uncomfortable.
Also, they got in the way of others trying to take pictures."

Saya

"On the trail along the coastline, it's excellent for birdwatching (RSPB) and serves as a bird information center. Previously, it was a summer house (19th century)."

Lucca T.