Saint Tudwal's Islands (Welsh: Ynysoedd Tudwal) are a small archipelago lying south of Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, at the western end of Tremadog Bay. They were referred to as the Studwells in the early 19th century.[1][2] The name of the islands derives from their traditional identification as the site of a hermitage used by Saint Tudwal during the 6th century. They are about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) east of the southern tip of the Llŷn Peninsula.[3]
There are two main islands: Saint Tudwal's Island West (Welsh: Ynys Tudwal Fawr)(52°47′56″N 4°28′18″W / 52.7988°N 4.4718°W) and Saint Tudwal's Island East (Welsh: Ynys Tudwal Fach) (52°48′19″N 4°27′43″W / 52.8053°N 4.4620°W), plus the Carreg y Trai rocks.
The islands are part of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are known for their beaches and wildlife, having a variety of wild birds including razorbills, guillemots and choughs, and being a breeding site for grey seals. They are also popular for water sports. The western island houses the St Tudwal’s Lighthouse,[3] and the eastern has the remains of a priory. The western island reaches 144 feet (44 metres) and is the higher of the two.
- ^ use in 21 March 1835 Welsh newspaper article Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine)
- ^ The Cambrian, 30 December 1809, p. 3 about the wreck of the sloop Spencer
- ^ a b Hawtin, Phil (4 April 2022). "St Tudwal's Lighthouse upgraded". Trinity House.