"Rather good castle........" a Beaumaris Travel Page by leics

Beaumaris is a very small town on the Menai Straits coast of Anglesey (an island which does not exist, according to VT). Actually, it's rather a nice little place with a most unusual castle.

There are loads of 'Norman' castles in Wales (as well as lots of pre-Roman hill-forts and Roman forts); they form a sort of string along the north coast in particular. Their job, apart from policing the area, was to make a very, very strong statement about English supremacy over the Welsh.

Beaumaris was the last castle to be built by Edward 1. It was started in 1295, and is almost entirely concentric and symmetrical; that is, the outer walls enclose a further set of walls and towers. It's really rather pretty when viewed from above. It had a most (some of which remains, still water-filled) and originally had a dock leading into the Menai Straits, though this no longer exists. Sadly, money ran out and it was never properly completed.

It's worth a visit; lots to explore, and stunning views over the Straits to Snowdonia and the North Welsh coast.

In fact the whole of Beaumaris beach has stunning views. It's worth going there for fish & chips of an evening, especially on a rare sunny day, just to sit and gaze over the water. It's sandy too, and boat-y, and fishing-y so there's lots to watch. Just be careful of the herring gulls; they are quite fond of a chip or two, and can become somewhat bolshy if denied!

Beaumaris is a rather upmarket place (more so than either Caernarfon or Bangor) so there are some rather special giftshops/antique shops etc and a couple of restaurants which have had very good reviews in the national press. Too expensive for me to bother with though, so can't make a personal recommendation.

It's actually on the World Heritage list, so worth exploring a bit if you get chance. One of the houses dates back to the 13th century (see photo, though the black and white decoration is a Victorian embellishment) and there are several other interesting buildings, nooks and crannies.