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Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris castle located in Beaumaris, Anglesey, was built as part of King Edward I's campaign to conquer North Wales. It was designed by James of St. George and was begun in 1295, but never completed. Beaumaris has been designated as a World Heritage site, and is regarded by some to be the most architecturally perfect castle in Britain. Beaumaris castle was positioned to face Garth Celyn on the opposite shore of the Menai Strait and was intended, along with Conwy Castle and Caernarfon castle at either end of the Menai Straits, to overshadow the Welsh Royal home and centre of resistance to the English forces

The King's architect, Master James of St. George, brought all his experience to bear in designing Beaumaris — its defences and lines of supply are superbly planned. It was constructed according to a concentric plan — the inner ward is completely surrounded by the outer ward. The castle has a tidal dock allowing it to be supplied directly by sea and is surrounded by a water-filled moat. The defences include numerous ingeniously sited arrow slits, and the entrances are protected by murder holes from which substances such as hot oil could be poured over enemy forces. Attackers of Beaumaris Castle would have met 14 separate obstacles and four lines of fortification resulting from the 'walls within walls' design

The castle is run and managed by Cadw, (the Welsh Assembly Government's agency for historic monuments), which provides visitors with a guidebook, an exhibition, gifts and souvenirs, good disabled access and picnic facilities in the castle grounds. Ducks and swans swim on the castle moat. Admission prices in 2005 were: £3 (adults), £2.50 (concessions), free (under 5s), £8.50 family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £3.50 (adults)

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