Beaumaris Castle can be found in Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey just off the coast of North Wales. It is best known as 'the greatest castle never built' after work on the castle was stalled by a lack of funds. Today, it is owned and managed by CADW and remains open for visitors throughout the year,
I recently visited the castle, and in this guide, I'll discuss whether it's worthwhile and what you can expect.
Is Beaumaris Castle Worth Visiting?
Yes, Beaumaris Castle is worth visiting. From the outside, you only get a glimpse of this mighty castle, but inside you can wander the passages, hang out in the inner keep, walk along the walls, and climb the gatehouse tower for views across Anglesey and Snowdonia.
There's also a video to learn about the castle's history. I would recommend that you take food and drinks with you to have a picnic as there is nowhere to purchase these within the castle.
Getting to Beaumaris Castle
By Car: To visit Beaumaris by car, take the A545 from Menai Bridge towards Beaumaris.
Is There Parking at Beaumaris Castle?
No, there's no parking at Beaumaris Castle. The best place to park is Beaumaris Green Car Park, the parking charge here is fixed at £5 for cars and £10 for motorhomes all day. There are also a limited number of parking spaces at Beaumaris Leisure Centre at a cheaper rate.
By Public Transport: If visiting Beaumaris Castle by public transport, the nearest bus stop is outside the bakery on Castle Street, Beaumaris, this is a 1-minute walk to the castle. This bus stop is served by bus number 58, you can view the timetable here. There are no local trains on the Isle of Anglesey.
Visiting Beaumaris Castle
Entry Fees
| Adults | £8.30 |
| Seniors | £7.70 |
| Juniors / Students / Armed Forces | £5.80 |
| Family (2 adults, 3 children) | £27.40 |
| Disabled / Under 4's | Free |
Is Beaumaris Castle Free?
No, Beaumaris Castle is not free, it's a paid attraction. However, if you have a CADW membership you can get in for free. If you have an English Heritage or Historic Scotland membership, it's half-price during your first year of membership or free in subsequent years.
Opening Times
Beaumaris Castle is open daily although times vary throughout the year.
| March to June | 9.30am-5pm |
| July to August | 9.30am-6pm |
| September to October | 9.30am-5pm |
| November to February | 10am-4pm |
Keep in mind that last entry is 30 minutes before closing time. The castle is not open on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December or the 1st of January.
Frequent Visitor Questions
How Long Does It Take To Visit Beaumaris Castle?
Allow around 1 to 1½ hours to visit Beaumaris Castle.
Is Beaumaris Castle Dog Friendly?
Yes, Beaumaris Castle is dog friendly since most of the castle is outdoors. However, they must be kept on a lead.
Is Beaumaris Castle Wheelchair Friendly?
Yes, the ground floor of Beaumaris Castle is wheelchair accessible, however, you won't be able to climb the gatehouse tower or walk along the castle walls which are some of the best things to do here. Given that it is free entry for disabled visitors, it's still worth going in even if you can't do everything.
What Facilities Are at Beaumaris Castle?
There is no toilet at Beaumaris Castle although there is a free public toilet just around the corner. Make sure you use the toilet before paying your entry fee. There is no cafe or other facilities at the castle either.
Things To Do at Beaumaris Castle
Here are the top things to do inside Beaumaris Castle:
1. Spend Some Time in the Inner Keep
The inner keep is a huge lawn area inside the castle. This is a great spot to sit and relax on the grass within the grand castle. There is nowhere to purchase food and drink in the castle, but I recommend putting together a picnic to enjoy here.
2. Watch A Film About the Castle’s History
As you enter the castle, there's a short but very informative video that takes you through the history of Beaumaris Castle. I highly recommend watching this all the way through to find out why the castle was commissioned and why construction was never actually completed.
3. Wander The Castle Walls
Of course, you can't visit a castle without walking along the castle walls and imagining how it would have been back in Medieval times. As the castle was never complete, the castle walls are only a fraction of their intended size, but even still they are impressive.
The castle walls are symmetrical, extending around the castle in a Hexagon shape and surrounded by a moat. You can walk around most of the castle along the walls.
4. Build A Mini Beaumaris Castle
Kids (and the big kids among us) can stay entertained with the mini Beaumaris Castle soft play puzzle. A mini replica of the castle has been spit up into large blocks and kids can spend time trying to put it together again.
Children can also play the Little Dragons game using the iPhone app. They will need to collect (by taking photos) ten different coloured dragons from around the castle using the app's AI navigation.
5. Enjoy Scenic Views From The Gatehouse Towers
The best view from Beaumaris Castle can be enjoyed by climbing the gatehouse towers. Here, you can see right across the Menai Strait towards the mountains of Snowdonia.
The entry gate is well protected, see if you can spot the murder holes in the ceiling of the gate passage where defenders would be able to fire rocks and arrows or pour scalding water, hot sand, or even boiling oil on intruders
About Beaumaris Castle
When Beaumaris Castle was constructed in 1295, 2,000 men worked on it with a total cost of £15,000. This may not sound like much, but it was an extortionate amount considering the income of the English treasury was less than £20,000
Even with this huge cost, Beaumaris was never completely finished because Edward I had to turn his resources to the ongoing conflict in Scotland which drew his attention away from the building work. This is why it is known as the 'Greatest Castle Never Built'.
The castle has a near-perfect symmetrical design with four concentric rings and a moat which is said to make it ‘impenetrable’ See my full article to learn more facts about Beaumaris Castle before you visit.
Other Things To Do Near Beaumaris Castle
You can easily spend a whole day in Beaumaris, here are some of the other activities near the castle:
- Take a boat trip to Puffin Island - Trips depart from Beaumaris Pier, see my full guide to visiting Puffin Island for full details.
ㅤ - Visit Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse - Learn about crime and punishment in Anglesey and beyond over the years. Get a combined ticket to visit both attractions.
ㅤ - Visit the Exchange - The Exchange is a venue owned by a collection of independent makers and crafters from Anglesey who came together to open a store to sell their items - it's one of my favourite places finds on the island!
For more information, see my full guide of things to do in Beaumaris.
Related Questions
Is Beaumaris Castle English Heritage?
No, Beaumaris Castle is not an English Heritage property, it is part of CADW which is the equivalent in Wales. If you are an English Heritage member, you can get 50% off entry in your first year of membership and it's free from your second-year onwarrds.
Is Beaumaris Castle National Trust?
No, Beaumaris Castle is not a National Trust property so you cannot use your National Trust membership to enter. It is owned and managed by CADW, the Welsh Government's historic environment service.
Can You Take Drones to Beaumaris Castle?
No, drones are prohibited inside Beaumaris Castle.
Published: 14 August 2022 · Last updated: 28 February 2023