ASK visitors to The Isle of Anglesey what the main attractions are and they will probably say beaches, countryside and the chance to treat their taste buds to some famed Welsh cuisine writes Yasmin Hampson

In fact the island has become expert in serving up fine food and as you are never far from the coastline, seafood features heavily on local menus with the region producing great hauls of oysters and mussels each year.

One annual event which has become a culinary pearl in Anglesey's calendar is the Oyster and Seafood Festival.

Held in October, it heralds the start of the shellfish season when hundreds of people descend on the coastal resort of Trearddur Bay to enjoy a feast of celebrations at the four day event.

The Trearddur Bay Hotel provides the setting for the festival which has grown over the past six years to become a must in diaries across the island and further afield.

This year saw its biggest success yet with a range of events including a 'new flavoured' sausage competition and international cooking contest in which top chefs demonstrated their oyster recipe expertise.

Over the weekend the numerous exhibitors gave visitors the chance to buy - and sample locally produced food and the event finished in style with an all day mussel eating fest. We were guests at a highlight of the festival - the Grand Gala dinner which had been fully booked, along with the hotel, well before the event. It was an occasion when visitors who had travelled over specially for the festival let their hair down along with the islanders for a night to remember.

Held in a marquee alongside the hotel, it was a lavish black tie affair, although there were definitely no stuffed shirts.

Pea shooters and paper pellets were provided as essential accessories and the hundred or so guests wasted no time in pelting their "targets", all part of the evening's fun.

The five course seafood dinner itself was well presented and good enough to grace any top notch restaurant table and included roasted salmon fillet with a Sicilian crust, served on an anchovy and parmesan cream sauce.

Cultural flavour on the night was added with an Irish dancing troupe performing traditional reels and jigs with a live group providing music for the rest of us to dance to.

On our two night visit to Anglesey, we stayed a 30 minute drive away from Trearddur Bay at Beaumaris, a journey made straightforward on the new A55.

Beaumaris is a historic, peaceful town on the South-east corner of the island with its own 13th century castle, built by Edward 1. Other attractions, all within walking distance of each other, include the historic jail and courthouse and the Museum of Childhood which houses a collection of childhood memorabilia.

Base for the weekend was the Old Bulls Head Inn just on the main street and itself a building of historic interest having in its time played host to famous guests including the diarist Dr Samuel Johnson and novelist Charles Dickens.

Its restaurant, reputed to be one of the best in Wales, is often booked up while the popular brasserie offers a more casual setting for customers who prefer to turn up on spec.

Other places of interest within easy driving distance include Plas Newydd, the 18th century home of the Marquess of Anglesey on the Menai Strait and the Sea Zoo at Brynsiencyn which gives an educational insight to what lies under the sea and on the beach. Here visitors can also see how the famous Anglesey sea salt is made.

Anglesey, across the Menai Strait bridge is only a two hour drive from the Manchester area, making it ideal for a short break. And at this time of year it was a pleasure to drive with virtually empty roads.

You will not find brash pubs, all-night clubs or glitzy shopping malls. Anglesey is more about escaping the rat race and generally taking life at a slower pace. But one thing is for sure, there will be a few extra pounds travelling home with you.

Some attractions close for the winter so it is worth checking with the Tourist Information Centre at Holyhead on 01407 762622.