If you’re a fan of outdoor adventure, then Porth Wen Brickworks should absolutely be on your radar.
Hiding at the northernmost tip on the isle of Anglesey in Wales, I’m astonished this derelict Victorian wonder isn’t more popular than it is.
A long disused 19th Century brick factory, much of the structure and machinery still lay scattered around the large open site; making it a highly sought spot for urban explorers & adventurous ramblers in the know.
Also home to the gorgeous Traeth Porth Wen Beach and spectacular coastal vistas, experiencing this site first hand truly is an experience you won’t be forgetting any time soon!
Interested in discovering Porth Wen Brickworks’ eerily beautiful grounds for yourself? Let’s get to it 👇👇
How old is Porth Wen Brickworks?
Porth Wen Brickworks first started producing fire bricks around the mid 19th Century; making this historic site now almost 200 years old!
Fire bricks were big business since they were used to line steel-making furnaces, and as production increased, a tram road was later added along with further building expansion in the early 20th century.
Look around the Brickworks for yourselves and see what you can uncover. Previously home to busy quarries, trams, work sheds, chimneys, warehouses and more, it’s fun to cast your mind back as you wander the grounds and envision the hustle-and-bustle of what once was.
When did Porth Wen Brickworks close?
Permanently closing in 1949, Porth Wen Brickworks was abandoned largely as it still stands today; making it a remarkably rare and historic location.
Several factors led to the factory shutting up shop for good, chiefly due to new & innovative brick making techniques rendering the traditional methods used at Porth Wen as outdated.
Another major issue however, was that while Porth Wen was a hotbed for quartz (the material used to make firebricks), the coastline unfortunately proved to be a particular nuisance for transporting the stuff!
The strong tides & dangerously jagged coastline meant ships were often damaged when docking at Porth Wen. Not ideal at all!
If you’re fortunate enough to visit Porth Wen Brickworks during high tide, you’ll actually be able to witness first hand how treacherous these Welsh waters are.
Where is Porth Wen In Anglesey?
Porth Wen Brickworks is located on the northern tip of Anglesey, best found along a grassy footpath just off the A5025 down the quiet country lane between Cemaes Bay & Burwen.
Nearest address: Cemaes Bay, LL67 OLN
How do you get to Porth Wen Brickworks?
Disclaimer – Porth Wen Brickworks is on private land and access is strictly prohibited. We’d always recommend observing the Brickworks from a safe distance via the Anglesey Coastal Path. Visit at your own risk.
For those wanting to visit Porth Wen Brickworks, your best bet would be to travel here via car.
For direct access to the site, simply make your way onto the A5025 main road between Cemaes Bay & Burwen, keeping your eyes peeled for the laybys which are located close to the country lane turning off towards Torllwyn.
From one of these laybys it’s roughly a 20-minute walk down the country lane to reach the start of the footpath which takes you to Porth Wen Brickworks.
You could try your luck and park closer to the footpath entrance by driving down the country lane towards Torllwyn which is home to a handful of parking spots.
From this spot, it’s only around half a mile stroll to the Porth Wen Brickworks site. However, these spots do go like hotcakes, so unless you’re getting here bright & early, it’s unlikely you’ll snatch one!
If hiking from one of the A5205 main road laybys, the hike is around 2 miles. Simply head down the country lane towards Torllwyn & pass-through gate on your right-hand side and onto the grassy footpath.
As you navigate down, picturesque vistas of the bay & the Brickworks soon open up and you’ll find that the trail begins to forks in two; be sure to take the footpath to the right.
Following the trail, you’ll soon come across a gate which you’ll have to haul yourself over. This is where the path gets a tad tricky…
While by no means beyond the capability of the average rambler, the descent from this point does become rather steep & hazardous, so please take great care (especially when it’s wet and muddy!)
Likewise, the path abruptly ends right on top of one of Porth Wen Brickworks’ buildings which has a sheer drop off the other side.
Due to the danger posed when visiting this derelict site, we certainly wouldn’t advise bringing children & we’d recommend putting your dogs back on their lead as you approach just to be safe.
Other Porth Wen Brickworks walk routes
Perfectly suited for hikers wanting a longer walk during their visit to Porth Wen Brickworks; the Anglesey coastal path from Cemaes Bay to Bull Bay is a fabulous alternative route.
A moderately difficult trek coming in just shy of 18 kilometres, the hilly terrain makes for some steep ascents & descents which are bound to have your legs burning, though the belting shoreside views along the way make it all more than worth it!
For the full lowdown, be sure to check out the detailed map below:
Tips when visiting Porth Wen Brickhouse
- Plan your visit during high tide & you’ll get to witness the the rough waters crashing on the rocky bay. Low tide on the other hand will reveal a phenomenal pebbly beach to explore.
- The early bird catches the worm. Due to limited parking, I’d say getting here in the morning would be your best bet. Watching the sunrise from the Brickworks would be quite the sight here I’m sure.
- In addition to Porth Wen Brickworks, be sure to check out the spectacular natural stone arch at the edge of the grounds (pictured above).
Respecting Porth Wen Brickworks
Disclaimer – The land on which the Brickworks sits on is privately-owned, meaning every visitor here is technically trespassing. Likewise, the site is in a state of disrepair and so can be hazardous to those who visit.
In light of this, we’d always recommend visitors observing the Brickworks from a safe distance via the Anglesey Coastal Path instead (mentioned above).
It’s unfortunate & extremely disappointing to see graffiti having marred some of the walls, along with substantial amounts of litter dotted around the site.
If you do choose to visit at your own risk, it’s always best to follow the ‘leave no trace’ rule. It’s not hard, simply leave the location exactly as you found it for others to also appreciate!
If coming to the Brickworks in the warmer months, you may also spot wild campers pitching up here as they take on the Anglesey Coastal Path. While we’d never endorse camping here since wild camping is illegal in Wales, if you do decided to pitch here please ensure you clean up after yourselves.
More resources
For regular readers of the blog, you’ll know one of our favourite activities at The Walking Northerners is discovering secret spots.
Wales is full of surprises! For those interested in tracking down other nearby hidden gems, we’d certainly recommend clicking through to our detailed guides on finding Snowdonia’s Secret Infinity Pool , Watkins Path Waterfall and Parys Mountain’s Copper Kingdom, located just 5-miles from Porth Wen Brickworks.
Likewise, for more ideas on what to do in Anglesey, be sure to check out our recent ‘8 BEST Walks In Anglesey’ blog post. I’m sure there’s something there to that’ll tickle your fancy!
Happy walking 🚶🚶