Beaumaris Castle

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Beaumaris Castle and moat. (Photo by Mick Knapton licensed under GFDL)

Beaumaris Castle, located in Beaumaris, Anglesey, was built as part of Edward I's campaign in North Wales. Begun in 1295, it was designed by James of St. George. It was designed using a concentric plan, with its inner ward completely surrounded by an outer ward. For various reasons, the castle was never fully completed.

Beaumaris (beau mareys - fair marsh) Castle was the last of Edward I's fortresses in North Wales and was built to complement Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech castles in the same area. Many people regard Beaumaris as the most architecturally perfect castle in Britain, and it has been designated as a World Heritage site. However, the fortress was never fully completed as finances and material ran out before it reached its full height.

The King's architect, Master James of St George, brought all his experience to bear when constructing Beaumaris: its defences and lines of supply are superbly thought out. The castle has a tidal dock which allowed it to be supplied directly from the sea, and it is surrounded by a water-filled moat. The defences also 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 invaders. Any attack on Beaumaris Castle would have to overcome 14 separate obstacles and four lines of fortifications made possible by the clever 'walls within walls' design.

The inner ward of Beaumaris. (Photo by Mick Knapton licensed under GFDL)

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).

External links

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World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom (list)

England: Avebury · Blenheim Palace · Canterbury Cathedral · Bath · Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape · Derwent Valley Mills · Durham Castle · Durham Cathedral · Hadrian's Wall · Ironbridge Gorge · Jurassic Coast · Kew Gardens · Liverpool · Maritime Greenwich · Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey & St. Margaret's · Saltaire · Stonehenge · Studley Royal Park · Tower of London

Scotland: New Lanark · Edinburgh Old Town & New Town · St Kilda · Skara Brae

Wales: Beaumaris Castle · Blaenavon · Caernarfon Castle · Conwy Castle · Harlech Castle

Northern Ireland: Giant's Causeway

Overseas territories: Henderson Island · Gough Island and Inaccessible Island · St. George's

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