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 apparently referred to as the Studwells in the early 19th century.[1][2]
There are two main islands: Saint Tudwal's Island West (Welsh: Ynys Tudwal Fawr)() and Saint Tudwal's Island East (Welsh: Ynys Tudwal Fach) (), plus the Carreg y Trai rocks. The East island is currently owned by author Carla Lane and the West island was recently purchased by adventurer Bear Grylls and converted into a holiday home.
The islands are known for their seal population. The western island has a lighthouse, and the eastern has the remains of a priory.
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Saint Tudwal's Island East (Welsh: Ynys Tudwal Fach) is a grass covered, privately owned, kidney-shaped island, about 500 metres (1,600 ft) in length and 200 metres (660 ft) in width.
The highest point on the island is 38 metres (125 ft) above sea level. It is located just over 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) off the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd. The nearest settlement (apart from the lighthouse on Saint Tudwal's Island West) is Machroes. Small ships sail from the nearby town of Abersoch to take passengers to view the wildlife. The island is believed to be the original hermitage of Saint Tudwal, which is presumably where its name comes from. The remains of a priory, referred to in the 1291 tax rolls, can be found on its eastern side.
The lighthouse on the western island remains active, but unstaffed. The site of the lighthouse, which marks the north end of Cardigan Bay, was purchased by Trinity House (main lighthouse authority for England, Wales, the Channel islands and Gibraltar) in 1876 at the sum of £111 and the next year the stone building was complete. It is 10.7 metres (35 ft) tall, with its focal plane (height of light above high water) at 46 metres (151 ft). The main white light has a range of 14 nautical miles (26 km) and its red sector light has a shorter range of 10 nautical miles (19 km). It gives 1 white and red flash every 15 seconds, the intensity being 12,000 candelas (candle power).
Being automated 1n 1922, it was one of the earlier lights Trinity House automated. It was electrified in 1995. The lighthouse keepers' cottages are now privately owned and used as a holiday home.