This rugged headland on the very tip of the Llŷn Peninsula is where the medieval pilgrims set off from – and one glimpse of Bardsey rising dramatically out the gunmetal-grey sea beyond the surf-pounded rocks serves hints at the pilgrims' final terrifying voyage. A path leads down past the remains of St Mary's Abbey, to a Neolithic standing stone known as Maen Melyn, suggesting this was a holy place long before the Celts or their saints arrived.
A natural freshwater spring issues from a cleft in the rock below the high tide mark; called St Mary's Well (Ffynnon Fair), it was held to be holy and pilgrims would sip the water before setting out. There are sheer drops to the sea and high surf, so we don't recommend you attempt it.
Inland are strip fields that preserve many of the patterns of ancient land use. Keep an eye out for choughs, a cheeky red-legged relation of the crow, and the rare spotted rock rose – this is the only place on the British mainland where this yellow bloom is found.
