Beaumaris Castle
Overview
Fortress of near-perfect symmetry is an unfinished masterpiece
Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece.
Here Edward and his architect James of St George took full advantage of a blank canvas: the ‘beau mareys’ or ‘beautiful marsh’ beside the Menai Strait. By now they’d already constructed the great castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. This was to be their crowning glory, the castle to end all castles.
The result was a fortress of immense size and near-perfect symmetry. No fewer than four concentric rings of formidable defences included a water-filled moat with its very own dock. The outer walls alone bristled with 300 arrow loops.
But lack of money and trouble brewing in Scotland meant building work had petered out by the 1320s. The south gatehouse and the six great towers in the inner ward never reached their intended height. The Llanfaes gate was barely started before being abandoned.
So the distinctive squat shape of Beaumaris tells of a dream that never quite came true. Still it takes its rightful place on the global stage as part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site.
Because this castle is special – both for the scale of its ambition and beauty of its proportions. Gloriously incomplete Beaumaris is perhaps the supreme achievement of the greatest military architect of the age.
How to visit
• purchase your admission tickets on arrival (or book online)*
• view our opening times and prices below
• check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*pre-booked tickets are non-refundable.
![Guidebook of Beaumaris Castle](/sites/default/files/styles/pamphlet_image/public/2019-04/beaumaris-castle-guidebook-14481-2018-04-12-14-25-46.jpg?h=8e7569e2&itok=n0h1QP75)
Beaumaris Castle Guidebook
Buy your Beaumaris Castle guidebook here before you visit.
10% off for Cadw members!
![The Chapel](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery_one/public/2023-06/NCX-KC04-1617-1033.jpg?itok=O_38ZJUc)
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![Taith Porth y Gogledd/The North Gatehouse passage.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery_three/public/2023-06/NCX-KC01-1617-0110.jpg?itok=II0gmp1p)
![Y barbican/The barbican.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery_three/public/2023-06/NCX-KC01-1617-0018.jpg?itok=L2QQ8pjp)
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Opening times
Daily 9.30am–5pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Daily 9.30am–6pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
The castle will be closed on 14 July 2024 for a private event.
Daily 9.30am–5pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Daily 10am–4pm
Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Please note: during extreme weather conditions we may need to close monuments at short notice, please check our social media channels before visiting to ensure the site is open and safe to visit.
Facebook @CadwWales | Twitter @cadwwales
Prices & Tickets
Category | Price |
---|---|
Members - Join now |
Free
|
Adult |
£9.50
|
Family* |
£30.40
|
Disabled and companion |
Free
|
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans |
£6.70
|
Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£8.80
|
*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children All children under 5 receive free entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off admission (not available online). |
Category | Price |
---|---|
Members - Join now |
Free
|
Adult |
£10.00
|
Family* |
£31.90
|
Disabled and companion |
Free
|
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans |
£7.00
|
Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£9.20
|
*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children All children under 5 receive free entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off admission (not available online). |
Category | Price |
---|---|
Members - Join now |
Free
|
Adult |
£9.50
|
Family* |
£30.40
|
Disabled and companion |
Free
|
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans |
£6.70
|
Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£8.80
|
*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children All children under 5 receive free entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off admission (not available online). |
Facilities
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance
Smoking is not permitted.
Picnic tables on site.
Bread is harmful to the birds; please do not feed bread products to the wildlife.
A portable induction loop is available.
Book your free self-led education visit to this site: self-led education visits
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.
Directions
Postcode LL58 8AP
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.
Contact us
Telephone 03000 252239
Email
BeaumarisCastle@gov.wales
Castle St, Beaumaris LL58 8AP
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01248 810361
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.