Beaumaris Castle

About

Dominating the waterfront of the historic town of Beaumaris, Beaumaris Castle is one of the greatest achievements of medieval military architecture. Commissioned by Edward I in 1295 as part of his campaign to control Wales, the fortress was designed by the master architect James of St George. Although never fully completed, it is widely regarded as Britain's most perfect example of a concentric castle and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd. One of the castle's most fascinating features is its exceptional symmetry. Built on a flat coastal site, it was designed with multiple rings of defence, creating a nearly impregnable stronghold. A broad moat surrounds the outer walls, while impressive gatehouses, towers and hundreds of arrow loops demonstrate the sophisticated military planning of the late thirteenth century. Inside the castle, visitors can explore the vast inner and outer wards, walk through atmospheric passageways and climb spiral staircases hidden within the towers. The remains of the great gatehouses reveal where guards once controlled access to the fortress, while the chapel and domestic chambers provide insight into the lives of the soldiers, administrators and noble households who would have occupied the castle.

Beaumaris Wales

Location

Beaumaris Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress widely regarded as the ultimate example of symmetrical concentric castle design. Built on the Isle of Anglesey by King Edward I starting in 1295, it was the final, largest, and most ambitious stronghold in his Iron Ring of Welsh fortifications. Designed by master architect James of St George, the castle features a perfectly planned "walls-within-walls" layout, framed by concentric rings of defense and surrounded by a wide water-filled moat connected directly to the sea. The castle is located at Castle Street, Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, LL58 8AP, Wales, United Kingdom. It stands right on the coastal edge of Beaumaris town centre, directly opposite the seafront. Because of its setting on the eastern tip of Anglesey, visiting Beaumaris Castle places you near many remarkable historical and cultural attractions. Right in town, you can explore the historic 17th-century Beaumaris Courthouse and the Victorian Beaumaris Gaol Museum. Just down the road stands the medieval St Mary’s and St Nicholas’s Church, while a short drive east leads to the historic ruins of Penmon Priory, St Seiriol's Holy Well, and the iconic Trwyn Du Lighthouse overlooking Puffin Island. Heading across the Menai Strait brings you directly to Penrhyn Castle and Gardens near Bangor, Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, and the grand World Heritage fortress of Caernarfon Castle.