Beaumaris

Agrandir le plan

Shortened history of the castle:

Beaumaris Castle on the Island of Anglesey is the great unfinished masterpiece of the Welsh medieval architecture. It was built as one of the 'iron ring' of North Wales castles by the English monarch Edward I, 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, the brilliant 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, the most technically perfect castle in Britain, has few equals.

The name of the castle comes from the 'beau marais' (fair marsh) that Edward chose for a castle and garrison town.

The gate next-the-sea entrance protected the tidal dock which allowed supply ships to sail right up to the castle. Beaumaris is endlessly fascinating. There is so much to see here, the 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.

Opening times and additional information:

Opening Hours 2010-2011:

1st March - 31st March - 09.30 - 17.00 daily
1st April to 30th June : 09.30 - 17.00 daily
1st July - 31st August : 09.30 - 18.00 daily
1st September - 31st October : 09.30 - 17.00 daily
1st November to 28th February : 10.00 - 16.00

Closed:- 24th, 25th, 26th December, 1st January

Admission Charge:- Adults £3.60, Reduced rate £3.20.
Family Ticket:- £10.40 - admits 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years.