A View From The (Menai) Bridge

'Aubrey', 'Matilda' & 'Sam' Woolidermy Heads

'Balfour' & 'Sam' in Hanks Yarn Shop

Please lower any expectations now, while I'm mangling Arthur Miller's classic title (a mild bafflement to school kids everywhere but better appreciated by disillusioned adults), the prose is unlikely to live up to this premise. On the plus side, this should be a far more uplifting ride. Come with me now to Menai Bridge, a town nestled into the Anglesey side of the Menai Straits. Home to impressive views, affluent boaty people (don't let this put you off), a Waitrose patronaged by royalty (Kate Middleton shopped here before the Big Dress & Palace), a deli with surely the most pungent, meltiest brie found in the known world and an exciting blooming of independent, boutique shops (more on these below). It's creeping into the long list of my favourite places to potter. Since the short list currently includes Edinburgh, Caernarfon, Florence, Manchester, Istanbul, bits of London and Glasgow (only on a dry day) and Paris, you may well wonder at my random endorsement criteria. Indeed, my ultimate ambition is to visit a Nandos in Norwich with my husband where we can wholeheartedly indulge our shared Alan Partridge obsession, but don't let that diminish this recommendation.

Hanks Yarn Shop, Menai Bridge

Hanks (Detail)

My primary reason for trekking over Telford's historic Meani Suspension Bridge (completed in 1826, it was the first modern suspension bridge in the world!), was to deliver new woolidermy heads to Hanks Yarn Shop (44 High Street).  'Balfour' (large bunny head with dash of tartan), 'Aubrey' (small fox), 'Matilda' (small floral bunny head), 'Sam' (red squirrel) & 'Dasher' (small deer head, not just for Christmas!) were introduced to the world. They now enjoy their view through the pretty bay window where they can watch the gentle progress of setting up a new artisan bakery (opening soon) across the street. More importantly, they can enjoy being surrounded by beautiful balls and tactile hanks of wool (see pics). It's an informed, carefully chosen selection and lovingly displayed in Helen Lopez's artisan shop. The stunning colours, tempting textiles and pretty ceramic buttons swag the shop in thoughts of possibilities and future projects.

Heads in Hanks Yarn Shop

As well as Hanks, the High Street also boasts at least two antique shops of the pretty and inspiring variety (not the very random modern bric a brac with weird smells type), one in a handsome old building, the other in a rustic courtyard where you can poke around sweet rooms and walk under a canopy of fairy lights strung on old wooden ladders. It also delighted me to see a 'Sewing Machine Centre' in the High Street which simultaneously seems a bit quaint but also completely on-trend (crafting is cool don't you know). At the end of Water Street there's a run of attractive contemporary businesses- Shop Cwtch (gifts), Space Like This (homewares), a foodie shop (name sadly forgotten) and Dylans (pizza restaurant with great views over the Straits). Water Street also houses the Memorial Hall which I've just discovered hides unexpectedly exciting activities such as Burlesque, zumba and afro-fit dance classes behind it's conservative doors (and who knows what else!). If like me, you fancy yourself as vampy Velma Kelly from Chicago, try the Burlesque or any of the other classes. Helen McGreary is a fab, enthusiastic teacher with a great programme of classes in the NW

Menai Bridge Delights

Wales area (see Dance Class North Wales website & Facebook). 

Shuffling off in the other direction, you pass Benjamin Lee Cakes a sumptuous looking cake and chocolate shop with the arresting sight of a cascade of chocolate shoes in the window. Since it was closed when I passed by/ licked the windows longingly, it's my new ambition to visit soon (although my allegiances still lie with Caernarfon's excellent Ty Siocled). Forcing yourself to move on past the chocolates, you too can feel the mild exhilaration of passing a major set of 'Rownd a Rownd', the only soap I bother with. I've become addicted since starting to watch (with subtitles on) to help my Welsh and have become thoroughly ensnared by its gentle plot lines and recognisably local places.
I imagine there are lots of other lovely places here too, it's a very subjective, potted tour! You could then increase the fun by moving on next to gorgeous Beaumaris, arguably the prettiest place in Anglesey. There you can gaze at adorable painted houses and marvel at the outstanding ice cream & sorbets of  the Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour. Heaven.