Newborough (Welsh: Niwbwrch or Niwbro) is a village in the south-western corner of Anglesey, Wales.

History

Newborough (formerly Rhosyr) was a very important part of mediaeval Anglesey, as proven by the recent discovery there of the royal court of Prince Llywelyn the Last, named Llys Rhosyr. Newborough was founded by Edward I of England, in 1294, to house the people he evicted from Llanfaes in order to build Beaumaris Castle. It was, literally, established as a 'new borough' and gained its charter in 1303. In the 16th century, Newborough was the county town of Anglesey and was once home to a thriving marram grass industry, used for producing matting, nets and rope.

John Morgan, (a blind musician) living around 1740 played the crwth in the village. Newborough is also the home of The Prichard Jones Institute, considered an exceptional example of an early 20th century public institution. The Prichard Jones Institute and the six single-storey cottage homes that accompany it were gift to the village by Sir John Prichard Jones, who was born in Newborough. Sir John Prichard served an apprenticeship as a draper, eventually rising to the position of Chairman of the famous Dickins & Jones department store in London, to which he gave his name. The Institute was designed by Roland Lloyd Jones and completed in 1905 at a cost of £20,000. The neo-Tudor style two-storey building, complete with clock tower, is an unusually lofty design for a location often buffeted by strong south-westerly winds. The Institute appeared on the BBC2 programme, Restoration, in 2006.

Today

The village with its attractive environs provides the visitor with excellent walking opportunities, not least at Newborough Warren, one of the largest areas of sand dunes found in the British Isles. Superb walking is also available at nearby Newborough Forest, a 2,000 acre (8 km²) woodland, dedicated to forestry and conservation. Much of the area around Newborough has been declared a nature reserve, making it popular for those interested in birds and other wildlife.

There is an expansive sandy Blue Flag beach at Llanddwyn, which provides access to Llanddwyn Island, a mile-long rocky promontory. The remains of the 16th century church of St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers is located on the island.

Newborough Beach is very popular as a Kitesurfing location.

Just outside the village, on the B4419 towards Llangaffo, is Tacla Taid, the Anglesey Transport and Agriculture Museum, which is the largest of its kind in Wales. On the A4080, towards Dwyran, there is a chance to view all of Anglesey's major attractions in miniature, at Anglesey Model Village.

Low property prices, a blue flagged beach, and the village now having high speed internet access, is giving the village a resurgence with an influx of people working from home (Teleworker).

Sons and daughters of Newborough

• Sir John Prichard Jones,
• William Jones, (1842 - 1907) master mariner, industrialist and civic leader

Movies & Television filmed in Newborough

Half Light with Demi Moore

Photos of Newborough

External links

• "Criw Niwbwrch / Official Friends of the Village web site.
• "More History of Newborough / Hanes Niwbwrch"
• "This walk is near Newborough village (BBC)"
• Prichard Jones Institute (BBC)
• Llys Rhosyr (BBC)
• photos of Newborough and surrounding area on geograph