Beaumaris Castle | Beaumaris | Wales | United Kingdom

Beaumaris Castle

Sightseeing attraction | Beaumaris | Wales | United Kingdom

Medieval military architecture in Wales

Beaumaris Castle, located in the town of Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey in Wales, is considered a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. It was begun in 1295 under the reign of King Edward I and was the last and largest of the castles he built in Wales. The planning and construction were overseen by the renowned architect James of St. George.

Beaumaris Castle visitor information tour

The castle is an outstanding example of "concentric" castle design, where an inner ring wall is surrounded by an outer ring wall, providing maximum defense capabilities. This symmetrical layout, combined with a surrounding moat, gave the fortress an almost impregnable structure.

Symmetry and defense system of castle

Despite its impressive planning, Beaumaris Castle remained unfinished. Financial difficulties and a focus on other military endeavors, particularly in Scotland, led to work being halted around 1330, even though significant resources had already been invested.

UNESCO World Heritage in Wales

Over the centuries, the castle played a role in various conflicts, including the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr in the early 15th century and the English Civil War in the 17th century. After these events, the castle gradually fell into disrepair, but was rediscovered as part of a landscape park in the 19th century and is now a significant tourist attraction.

Historic sites to visit in Anglesey

Beaumaris Castle is appreciated by historians and architects for its nearly perfect symmetry and thoughtful defense system. UNESCO has recognized the castle as an outstanding example of military architecture from the late 13th and early 14th centuries, declaring it a World Heritage Site.
Beaumaris Castle Beaumaris

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Castle St
LL58 8AP Beaumaris

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 16:00
Monday10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday10:00 - 16:00
Thursday10:00 - 16:00
Friday10:00 - 16:00
Saturday10:00 - 16:00

Reviews

7695 Reviews

wayne duvall
30.01.2025

Having been brought here as a kid by my parents i have always had a special place in my heart for Beaumaris castle (as well as all the Welsh castles i saw with my family when I was a young lad), there's something magical about this place that continues to draw me back time and time again, those childhood memories with loved ones come flooding back, I'll never tire of coming here, simply breathtaking.
Zoraya Gómez
27.01.2025

El castillo más increíble que he visitado! Es hermoso recorrer sus pasillos, y tiene vistas increíbles! La atención, muy bien!
Jill Duarte
26.01.2025

Lovely and quaint. Soup was delightful
Alex Whittaker
22.01.2025

Visited here a few months back, was a lovely day out with the family, tickets aren’t too expensive and they’re worth it to walk around such an amazing piece of history and architecture. This is one of my favourite castles in the United Kingdom and coming down to a small place like Beaumaris is always a fun day out and a day out that the children will remember!
Seokjin Ham
20.01.2025

It is Wales' greatest castle never built. In 1295, following the suppression of Madog ap Llywelyn's rebellion in North Wales, Edward I initiated the construction of Beaumaris Castle as part of his Ring of Iron strategy to solidify English control over Wales. The castle was strategically positioned on the Isle of Anglesey to protect the northwestern Welsh coast and to control maritime trade routes to Ireland. Designed by James of Saint George, the castle exemplifies the pinnacle of medieval military architecture, featuring an impressive concentric defense design, which ensured that even if the outer walls were breached, the inner walls could continue to withstand attacks. Several round towers were strategically placed along the walls to enhance defensive capabilities, and a deep moat was constructed to make access more difficult. However, construction was halted in 1298, and although some work continued until 1306, financial constraints caused by ongoing wars with Scotland prevented its completion.
Cate Carroll
18.01.2025

A real treat on Anglesey. Quiet place with amazing views on a clear cold winter day. We were able to walkthrough the castle without waiting for other visitors. Great gift shop and lots of pubs and tea rooms for lunch!
Mark Prince
18.01.2025

Beautiful castle In beaumaris
Ian V
18.01.2023

One of the iconic Welsh castles right on the Menai Straights. Beaumaris is beautiful as well, with plenty to do in the town and surrounding area.
Graham Akerman
14.01.2025

Nice town great castle
Rakesh Ramanarayanan
13.01.2025

We have entry fees as well
Eli Brace
12.01.2025

The park that is beside the castle was a good way to waste time with fun and a good teaching of the castle and how you had to build a castle using the leather coated material was a brainy way of building there used to be a place to dress up and is gone
Kashif Malik
06.01.2025

Nice and worth to visit
M T
05.01.2025

Super miejsce
Bikerbird Bikerbird
01.01.2025

Absolutely fantastic, ten pound entry worth every penny Lots of boards giving the history of the castle Lots of steps, some pretty dark tunnels
Daniel B
30.12.2024

The castle is very nice and well preserved for a ruin. Staff was very friendly and gave as map at the entrance. The castle was very beautiful but smaller than I expected and took less than 1 hour to visit but well worth the visit. It's history was fascinating. It is also well located just on the outskirts of the village of Beaumaris.
Gopi Nathan
30.12.2024

King Edward I conquered North Wales in the 1200s, then built a ring of castles around it to defend his newly won territory. Beaumaris Castle is one of them—or, to be more accurate, nearly one of them. Before construction on Beaumaris was completed, the king's finances and attention were redirected to his military campaign in Scotland. After changing hands several times in the ensuing centuries, Beaumaris eventually fell into ruin. But today’s visitors likely won't notice anything amiss, as the castle is still impressively looming and large, having been restored beginning in 1925.
Jose Fernandez
29.12.2024

Un castillo muy interesante, una pena que no se acabara ni utilizará como Castillo.
John Weir
28.12.2024

This was a surprisingly fun visit. I expected it to be small and just look at the walls but it's not Loved walking the walls, the inner passages and the cloister rooms with awesome acoustics. Fab views in all directions There is no bathroom once you pay to get in as these are outside so go before
Dinesh Selva (Dinesh)
27.12.2024

Great location and great shops near it.
James Taylor
26.12.2024

A fantastic castle to walk around and explore set in the beautiful Beaumaris with car park and toilet facilities, highly recommend this place if you are visiting Anglesey.
Philip moody
24.12.2024

Stunning place straights beautiful 👏👏👏
Marella Letham
24.12.2024

Beautiful fascinating castle thoroughly enjoyed our visit exploring it all especially walking the walls round top
Elaine Whysall Farrow
17.12.2024

Great Castle, so much to explore as the walls are so well preserved. The chapel is very impressive. There was a very friendly lady on site who gave us so much information, which was really helpful.
Jeanette-H- Walters
10.12.2024

I live in Beaumaris and visit it occasionally.
razorrau1
08.12.2024

This is one of the most amazing castles that we seen on our trip! When I think of castles I think of a molt around the whole outside and this is exactly what I would dream of! It is really unique and how they designed to build it. It also feels like it is a really fortified Castle which would be very hard to enter! There's not much on the inside, just the walls that are remaining! It is a great piece of history of what is still remaining!
Croissant
07.12.2024

It was awesome I went there 2 years ago and still think about it
Adrian Suarez Hasbach
04.12.2024

Beautiful.

 

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