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Beaumaris is the great unfinished masterpiece. 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 none the less 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. Its ingenious and perfectly symmetrical concentric 'walls within walls' design, involving no less than four successive lines of fortifications, was state of the art for the late 13th century.
Access: Admission Charge: Opening Hours: Closed 24-26 December, 1 January. Back to the top. |
Beaumaris
Castle
The
stronghold stands at one end of Castle Street, inextricably linked
with the history of the town. This was the 'beau marias' (fair march)
that Edward chose for a castle and garrison town. From the outside,
Beaumaris appears almost handsome. It does not rear up menacingly
like other fortresses but sits contentedly in the scenic setting
overlooking mountains and the sea, partially surrounded by a water-filled
moat. 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 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.