Beaumaris Castle |
||||||||||
|
Beaumaris is the great unfinished masterpiece. It was built as one of the North Wales "iron ring" of castles by the English Monarch, Edward 1, to stamp his authority on the Welsh, but it was never finished. Money and supplies ran out before the fortifications reached their full height. Beaumaris is nonetheless an awesome sight, regarded by many as the finest of all the great Edwardian castles in Wales. Begun in 1295, it was also the last. The king's military architect, James of St George, brought all his experience and inspiration to bear when building this castle, the biggest and most ambitious venture he ever undertook. In pure architectural terms Beaumaris is the most technically perfect castle in Britain and
has few equals. Its ingenious and perfectly symmetrical concentric walls within walls design, involving no less than four successive lines of fortifications, was state of the art for the late 13th century. The stronghold stands at one end of Castle Street, inextricably linked with the history of the town. This was the "beau mareys" (fair marsh) that Edward chose for a castle and garrison town.From the outside Beaumaris appears almost handsome, it does not rear up menacingly like other fortresses but sits amid a scenic setting overlooking mountains and the sea partially surrounded by a water-filled moat. The gate next-the-sea entrance protected the tidal dock which allowed supply ships to sail right up to the castle.There is so much to see here - 14 separate major obstacles that any attacker would have to overcome, the hundreds of cleverly sited arrow-slits, the deadly use of murder holes to defend entrances. This outstanding fortress is a World Heritage inscribed site.General Information:| More Pictures | |
 |
|
|
Opening Times
|
|
(2009 times)
1st April to 31st October: Daily 9.00am - 5.00pm. 1st November to 31st March: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 4.00pm. Sunday 11.00 - 4.00pm. Closed 24th, 25th, 26th December and 1st January. |
|
Admission Charges
|
|
(2009 prices)
Adult £3.60; Concession £3.20; Children under 5yrs free. Family ticket (up to 2 adults and all children/grandchildren under 16) £10.40. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. |
|
Directions
|
| A545 (Menai Bridge) A5 (Bangor). |
| Show map of Beaumaris Castle... |
|
Beaumaris Castle Postcode for SatNav: LL58 8AP |
|
Nearby Attractions
|
|
Penrhyn Castle
(2 Miles)*
Built for the wealthy Pennant family on the profits of Welsh slate and Jamaican sugar, Penrhyn Castle is an extravagant example of early 19th century neo-Norman architecture. |
|
Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens
(7 Miles)*
Plas Newydd, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey bears witness to the turbulent history of the family; their noble beginnings during the time of Henry VIII |
|
Llanberis Lake Railway
(10 Miles)*
Discover the timeless appeal of our narrow-gauge steam trains on an hour long excursion along the shores of Lake Padarn in the heart of Snowdonia. |
| more attractions in Beaumaris and things to do in Beaumaris ... |
| more things to do in Anglesey and days out in Anglesey... |
|
Nearby Hotels
|
|
Nearby Self Catering
|
|
National Trust | Estate Agents |
Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited.
All rights reserved.
Press Room Terms of Use Privacy Link to Us Index Site Map
