Beaumaris Things to Do Tips by Balam Top 5 Page for this destination

Cottage Garden

Just around the corner from the Castle, at the back of the Old Couthouse is a lovely old cottage with a traditional cottage garden which has been maitained by local volunteers 'for the enjoyment of residents and the many visitors' it is sponsored by Cooks & Caterers cook shop.

Castle

Building of the castle began in 1295 and was the last royal stronghold to be built by King Edward I in Wales completing the chain of fortifications 'The Iron Fist' with which he had begun to enclose Gwynedd in 1277.
Following the death of of the prince of Wales Llywelyn in 1282 and his brother Dafydd less than a year later Welsh resistance to English rule effectively came to an end and Edward I had built or refurbished some 16 castles.
Although a castle was planned for Beaumaris as early as 1283 it was not until the Welsh rebeled lead by Madog ap llywelyn that building began close to a thriving Welsh town called Llanfaes on Anglesey. The castle was built quickly and alongside it the new town of Beaumaris grew at the expense of Llanfaes whoes inhabitants were removed to a new settlement at the southwest tip of the Island.

The Plan of the Castle took full advantage of it's position on a flat site without the constraints that shaped Castles such as Conwy and Caernarfon. it was built in a concentric walls within walls style with 4 rings of formidable defences which included a water filled moat with a dock that enabled supplies to reach the castle from the sea via a specialy dug channel (now filled in). There were also plans for at least 5 seperate suites of accommodation although when work ceased in 1330 at least 3 of these remained unbuilt along with the upper floors and turrets of the towers in the Inner ward and so the castle really remained very much as it apears today. Some small sums of money were spent on maintenance during the 14th and 15th centuarys and the castle was well agle to be garrisoned and besieged during the revolt of Owain Glyn Dwr in about 1400 to 1410.

By 1539 the castle was reported to be in a ruined state and by 1609 utterly decayed and when The Civil war broke out in 1642 Viscount Bulkeley spent some £3,000 on repairs to it in the Royalist cause. The victory by the Parliment forces in 1646 led to the surrender of the castle to Major-General Thomas Mytton and by about 1660 some partial dismantling had taken Place leaving just the stone.

In 1987 the castle was put on the world heratage list as a Historic site of outstanding universal value . For me it is everything a Castle should be and is just how we picture a castle to be.

Address: Beaumaris, LL58 8AP

Directions: At the end of Castle St, You can't miss it

Phone: 01248 810361

A Medieval House

On castle street theer is a great Old house, Built around 1400 it is one of the oldest in Great Britain. It is now used as a shop and is currently up for sale.

Address: castle St

Eisteddfod Mon

The stone circle on the sea front not far from the pier is a symbol of the age of Druids in Anglesey, it stands as a reminder that the Anglesey Eisteddfod was held in beaumaris in the summer of 1996.
The Eisteddfod was originally a sitting of bards but evolved over the centuries to embrace most aspects of welsh culture.
The Logan Stone in the center of the circle served as a proclamation platform for the islands chief 'bard' or 'druid'

Directions: on the sea front not far from the pier

Old Courthouse Museum

Built in 1614 and largly renovated in the 19th c it is now a unique example of a surviving Victorian court room, It is still in use as the local magistrates court (2nd friday of every month). In former days the prisoners would have been taken to Beaumaris Gaol nearby (also open to the Public)

Open daily from Easter until the first week in september 11:00 to 18:00 (unless the court is in session)

Adults £3:00
pensioners £2:25
Children £2:25
Family £10:00

You can purchase a joint ticket for the Court and the gaol

Adults £6:00
Pensioners £4:50
Children £4:50
family £20

Children under 5 go in Free

Blue Peter II Life Boat Station

At the side of the Pier is the Blue Peter II life boat station, there is a small shop were you can purchase many items of Life boat Memorabilia or just make a donation to RNLI.

Directions: Next to Beaumaris Pier

Take a Walk on the Pier

Although only short the pier at Beaumaris offers some good views of the Mountains of Snowdonia and of Bangor.
From the pier you can get local cruises and fishing trips around the Menai Strait along with 'some of the best crab fishing to be had' from the pier-head.
There is a small shop at the entrance selling everything from ice creames to crab lines.