The Museum Gift Shop
The Martime Museum Gift Shop
Set sail for the perfect gift at the Holyhead Maritime Museum
The Holyhead Maritime Museum gift shop offers visitors a unique opportunity to take home a piece of maritime history. Whether you’re exploring the museum’s fascinating exhibits or simply stopping by on a walk along the nearby coast, the shop provides a delightful array of gifts and souvenirs that celebrate the rich nautical heritage of Holyhead and the surrounding waters.
Our carefully curated selection includes a wide range of maritime-themed gifts and nautical home décor. You’ll also find a collection of locally crafted items, from artisanal goods to stunning photographs and artwork, each capturing the essence of Anglesey’s vibrant coastal culture. The Museum is also one of the few local outlets for a special range of Welsh Lovespoons. For history buffs, we offer a broad array of books on maritime history, shipwrecks, and local folklore – perfect for deepening your knowledge of the fascinating stories that shaped this part of the world.
Preserve the past
…every purchase keeps maritime history alive
Visitors will find a wonderful collection of gifts on sale at The Holyhead Maritime Museum. Don’t forget to check out our selection of postcards, magnets, and keychains, ideal for anyone looking for a simple memento of their time at Holyhead. Looking for something for the little ones? Our children’s section features fun, educational toys, puzzles, and books that will spark a love of the sea in young adventurers. Crabbing lines, beach items, and cold drinks are also available.
Every purchase made at the gift shop directly supports the work of the Holyhead Maritime Museum, helping to preserve the town’s maritime heritage for future generations. We invite you to explore, shop, and take a little bit of Holyhead’s maritime magic home with you!
Books & Videos for Sale
Many of the following publications have been written by museum members with proceeds in aid of the Maritime Museum. They can be purchased at the Museum Shop and other retail outlets. Please use the Contact Form for information on other means of purchase.
HMS
Tara
by Richard Burnell
now £5.00
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In November 1915 HMS Tara (ex Holyhead LNWR Steamer TSS Hibernia) was sunk by submarine off the North African Coast. The surviving crew were held deep in the Libyan Desert by the Senussi Tribe for four months until rescued by a column of Armoured Cars and other vehicles led by the Duke of Westminster. Unfortunately fifteen Holyhead mariners and two from elsewhere in the UK were not amongst those saved.
The story is one of survival over extreme adversity of very ordinary local seamen whose families knew little of the outcome of the loss of the ship until they returned home. Richard Burnell’s excellent book telling the full story of these dramatic events is now on sale with all proceeds to the Holyhead Maritime Museum.
Holyhead & the Great War
by R E Roberts
£5.99
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First published in 1920 and reprinted by the Holyhead Maritime Museum as part of commemorating the Centenary of the Great War, this book is an unique record of Holyhead’s contribution. Not many towns can fully describe the extent of the effort and sacrifice that occurred in one comprehensive document such as this. The book contains details of all those from the town who served their country – their affiliations and home addresses. There is a fully detailed Roll of Honour as well as descriptions of many of the tragic events that led to the loss of a number of Holyhead ships and many of their crewmembers. There is a fascinating description of how the cross channel steamers maintained their service in the face of enemy submarine attack. For those interested in local history, genealogy or just curious about how a community coped with the burden of a world war, this book offers much in detail and explanation.
Holyhead Maritime Museum DVD
Museum Produced
£5.95
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Three short bi-lingual videos on one DVD telling the enthralling story of Holyhead Port, the Great Breakwater/Quarry and the Lifeboats of Holy Island. Each one expertly produced by a local media company and narrated by Anglesey actors – Celyn Jones and Allan Williams. Short promotional video here.
Every Picture tells a Story of Holy Island
by Gareth Rowlands
now £10.00
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This book takes the reader on a journey around beautiful Holy Island (Ynys Cybi) describing its rich maritime history and memories involving the Port of Holyhead, the town, Salt Island, Waterside, Newry Beach, Soldiers Point, the Quarry, Mountain, Llaingoch, South Stack and the pretty coves around the Trearddur Bay coastline. The journey continues on to Rhoscolyn, Four Mile Bridge and finally, the Penrhos estate.
The book is illustrated using vibrant watercolour landscapes by local artist Julie Roberts. The description of each of the 80 paintings provides a fascinating insight into the historical background of this beautiful island.
A Fleeting
Visit
by Gareth Rowlands
now £5.00
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This book is a fact-based novel set in the period 1861-1862 describing the clandestine operations of Confederate naval officer, Captain James D. Bullock during the American Civil War.
Bullock came to Liverpool to order and oversee the construction of ships. To evade Union spies he travels from Liverpool to Holyhead to take delivery of the Fingal. Bullock spends three days in the rapidly developing town during the time of the building of the breakwater. In the company of a local hotelier he walks to the breakwater and quarry, through the mountain villages and learns about the history and development of the town itself. The novel also describes Bullock’s role in the delivery of ships to the Confederate navy.
The book is illustrated with photographs of ‘Old Holyhead’ as well as rare photographs of Confederate warships.
Commander John Macgregor Skinner R.N.
by Peter Scott Roberts
now £5.00
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The book briefly describes his ancestry before the family were forced to flee the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. Glimpses of where they settled in the New World and how influential they became in shaping the the community are protrayed before moving on to cover their involvement with the American Revolution and eventually resettling in Britain.
Finally the book covers the life of Commander John Magregor Skinner R.N. from his early naval career in North America to his service and influence on the town and port of Holyhead until his tragic death in the Irish Sea in 1832.
No Problem’s Too Small
by Gareth Rowlands
now £5.00
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The Marine Yard played a central role in the development and daily life of the port and town of Holyhead. The book traces the history of the Yard and describes the variety of work carried out there. Following conversations with many of the men, the author describes the long working hours and often harsh conditions endured, and recounts many humorous tales.
Many a master mariner has commented that the best engineers in the fleet had served their time in the Marine Yard. This book will rekindle many memories for those who worked in the Yard and provide a unique insight into their working lives.
Trains and Boats and Planes
by Gareth Rowlands & Alf Pritchard
now £6.00
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The book describes how the different modes of travel have influenced the development of the port and town of Holyhead. It is illustrated with many photographs dating from the 19th Century to the present day.
Holland
to Holyhead
by Graham Van Weert
£11.95
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This book follows the events when the Netherlands was attacked on the 10th May 1940. The rapid surprise attack resulted in decisions to be made for Naval vessels, fishing boats, tugs and a variety of other craft to cross the North Sea to Great Britain. Arriving initially at Falmouth, elements of the Royal Netherlands Navy were then transferred to Holyhead.
This book covers a timeline of events in Holyhead before they left to return home in early 1946.
At Sea
With My Father
by Robert Adrian Mathews Jones
£10.00
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Written by the son of a Sea Captain who spent much of his life on the coasting trade. Adrian would accompany his father on many of his voyages during school holidays. As well as being a tribute to his family, the book is a recollection of these holidays, the people met, the places visited and some interesting events that happened on the way.
Life & Death on the Royal Charter
by Chris & Lesley Holden
£16.95
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To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the tragedy, Chris and Lesley Holden tell the story of the `Royal Charter’, from her launch at Sandycroft on the River Dee in Wales, through her six circumnavigations of the world, to her total destruction so very close to her home port of Liverpool.
Sorting Letters
on the Sea
by Stephen Ferguson
£10.00
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Stephen Ferguson’s book, written to mark the anniversary of RMS Leinster’s sinking in 1918, tells the story of the tragedy that befell one of the fastest, most elegant and most efficient ships to sail the Irish Sea.
Drawing on unpublished material in Post Office and other archives, he sets the disaster in context, explores the importance of the postal connection between Ireland and Britain and recalls, in particular, the 21 Post Office men who lost their lives that day, sorting letters on the sea.
Anglesey Lifeboats
Past & Present
by Nicholas Leach
£12.00
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The island of Anglesey is home to four operational lifeboat stations, as well as eight old stations which are now closed. This illustrated volumes covers all of Anglesey’s lifeboat stations past and present, and features high quality illustrations old and new, many of which have never been published before.
Some of the most famous rescues in the history of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have been performed by the volunteer crews from Anglesey’s lifeboat stations, including several for which Gold Medals were subsequently awarded. The island has a rich tradition of saving lives at sea, being home to some of the nation’s best-known lifeboat stations.
Plan your visit today!
The Holyhead Maritime Museum is conveniently located for all visitors exploring Anglesey and North Wales, we’re easy reach by car, bus, and even train. Situated just a short distance from the A55 expressway, it provides easy access from across the island and the mainland. Local bus services run frequently, making the museum accessible for both tourists and locals. Cruise passengers arriving at Holyhead port will also find the museum within easy reach, making it a perfect stop during a visit. We’re open just before Easter until the end of October.
Adults: £6.00 (including gift aid benefit) Accompanied Children: FREE (16 years & under) Concessions: £5.00 (over 60 years & students)
How to find us…
Old Lifeboat House,
Newry Beach,
Holyhead,
Anglesey
SAT NAV: LL65 1YD