11 BEST Things To Do in Beaumaris [By a Local]

Beaumaris sits at the southeast corner of Anglesey and is famed for its UNESCO castle that's one of the greatest in Wales.

But the small town has a lot more to offer which is why it's one of my favourite places to visit on the island. You could easily spend a full day exploring this part of Anglesey, with several museums, historical attractions, and picturesque walks.

In this guide, I'll share some of my favourite things to do in Beaumaris, along with some top tips for making the most of your visit.

1. Visit the iconic Beaumaris Castle

At the centre of Beaumaris, you'll find the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a vast medieval fortress with well-preserved walls and towers.

It was built as part of King Edward I's conquest of North Wales. He came up with the ambitious plan of building a castle like no other with the best defences and a moat.

Of course, Edward’s vision didn’t quite play out. He used most of his money funding battles elsewhere so the castle was never completed to the original spec, earning it the nickname 'the greatest castle never built'.

But you'd never realise this on a visit and it's still very impressive. The castle is under the care of CADW and is open to the public. You have to pay to go inside and it's not particularly cheap, but it's worthwhile.

From the outside, you only get a glimpse, 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 nowhere to buy food or drink inside, but I recommend taking some snacks (or even a whole picnic) and enjoying them in the grounds.

Also Read: My Guide To Visiting Beaumaris Castle

2. Do some time at Beaumaris Gaol (Jail)

Beaumaris Gaol (the old way of saying jail), was built in the 1800s and was Anglesey’s main jail at this time.

As well as a place to hold prisoners, the building has also been used as a police station, a children’s clinic, and where they kept the air raid siren during World War II.

Today Beaumaris Gaol is a museum with many of the rooms open to visit. As you tour the looming long corridors and sad-looking cells, you'll get a real taste for life as a prisoner in the Victorian era.

As well as many interesting and interactive exhibits, you can put your head in the stocks, check out the whipping room, see where prisoners worked while incarcerated, and explore the condemned cell.

The attraction can get busy around midday, especially during peak seasons. So, if you’d prefer to visit the museum when it’s quieter, go early in the morning.

3. Go to court at Beaumaris Courthouse

Beaumaris is home to one of Britain's oldest courthouses that's still in good shape!

The court, which is over 400 years old, has seen a wide range of trials over the years. From the theft of eight cheeses and a quarter of beef in 1768 to a Christmas Day murder in 1910.

Today, Beaumaris Courthouse has been turned into a museum where you can take a tour of the actual courtroom that has been decked out exactly as it would have looked when it was last used.

The museum exhibits are very interactive and would be great for both adults and engaged children. You’ll learn about some of the cases that were held here and there's a game where you attempt to match crimes with their punishments (I was shocked by some of the answers).

There's even a chance to try on a courtroom wig and take a selfie with a judge!

I'd recommend buying a combined ticket for the courthouse and Beaumaris Gaol (mentioned earlier). You can easily visit both sites in one day and you'll make a saving with the joint ticket.

4. Go for a Welsh tea at Beau’s

Beaumaris has many cafes, but the tearoom you must visit is Beau’s Tea Room.

This cute little cafe is very welcoming and has a very traditional feel about it. The food here is great, but don't take my word for it, The Hairy Bikers even stopped here once and they approved!

Not only will you get to choose from an eclectic mix of food, including breakfasts, light lunches, hot meals served with chips, and an abundance of fresh homemade cakes!

But when your Welsh tea comes to the table, it’s served in china teacups, and they even come with matching saucers! To add to the quirkiness, tables are adorned with sugar bowls filled with real sugar cubes.

The tea shop isn’t huge and it’s very popular, so you’ve got to get there early to get a seat!

5. Enjoy the view from Beaumaris Pier

Beaumaris Pier was built in 1846, and although it’s been renovated multiple times, it still has its Victorian-era vibe.

The 174m long walkway is the ideal location to sit, unwind, and take in the picturesque view with the Menai Strait in front of you and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in the background.

There are also seats dotted along the pier, so you can stop to watch the boats bobbing on the water and to try and snatch a glimpse of a seal.

From the pier, you can take a walk along the Anglesey Coast Path.

Head right (while facing the Menai Strait) to join section 7 of the coastal path between Beaumaris and Moel-y-Don.

However, most people tend to head left which will take you towards Lleiniog Beach and Castell Aberlleiniog (I'll mention this later).

6. Take a RIB boat down the Menai Strait

If taking in the sights of Beaumaris on foot isn’t thrilling enough, try embracing the landmarks as you cruise down the Menai Strait on a speed boat.

RibRide run several different tours along the Menai Strait, so you can decide if you want to sprint along the waterway at 35knts, or take in the sights at a more leisurely pace on a 2.5hr cruise!

Either way, you’ll be shown some of Beaumaris’ biggest features, including the Menai Suspension Bridge and Britannia Bridge (if you travel along The Swellies).

These trips are seasonal and are age-dependent, so younger passengers may not be able to join this activity. It’s also worth booking in advance.

Book Now: Book Your Menai Strait Rib Ride Now

7. Spot wildlife with a Puffin Island cruise

Puffin Island, or Ynys Siriol, is a small island just off the west coast of Anglesey, where hundreds of birds, including the much-loved Puffin, live.

You can take a sightseeing boat trip to the island from Beaumaris Pier. If you time your visit well, you'll be able to spot puffins, razorbills, cormorants, guillemots, and even seals!

I was fortunate enough to visit during breeding season on the island (between April and mid-July), so there was no shortage of bird-spotting opportunities.

You’re not allowed to go onto the island because it’s privately owned and is a protected zone. However, the boat gets relatively close so you get a good view of the wildlife (taking binoculars would be a great idea).

Two companies run trips to the island, Seacoast Safaris and Starida. I visited with Seacoast Safaris and can highly recommend them. The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable about the island and answered every question under the sun about the animals that live there.

Also Read: My Full Guide To Visiting Puffin Island

8. Try a local treat from Tredici Butchers & Deli

When I'm looking to treat myself to some local food in Beaumaris, there's no better spot than Tredici Butchers and Deli.

They stock dozens of Welsh-made food and drinks, including ales, preserves, fresh meat, fish, and a range of Welsh spirits. But my favourite section is their deli counter where you can order freshly made sandwiches and delicious homemade pies.

The Welsh steak and ale pie holds a place in my heart, but you can also find a more traditional Welsh lamb and mint Oggie and amazing sausage rolls! Make sure you wash it down with some of their freshly squeezed orange juice that comes in a reusable glass bottle.

It's take-out only, so I recommend taking it across to the harbour where you'll find several outdoor picnic benches with beautiful views while you eat. Just watch out for the pesky gulls!

9. Visit an alternative castle at Castell Aberlleiniog

Beaumaris Castle wasn't the first castle built on the southeast corner of Anglesey.

Just two miles from Beaumaris, you'll find Castell Aberlleiniog which was built several hundred years earlier, around 1080.

This motte and bailey castle would have originally been a timber castle but was later rebuilt as a stone fort in the 17th century by Thomas Cheadle, Constable of Beaumaris.

Thanks to a restoration project in the 2000s, the castle has undergone repairs and was opened to the public for the first time. It's free to visit, but keep in mind that some pathways are quite steep, so they aren’t suitable for everyone.

It shares a car park with Lleiniog Beach, so it can get busy in the summer when this picnic spot overlooking the Menai Strait gets very popular.

10. Pick up a locally-made souvenir from The Exchange

The Exchange is a mini shopping centre in Beaumaris, but it's got a local twist.

25 local makers from Anglesey and beyond in North Wales have come together to sell all kinds of goodies, including crafts, pottery, gift sets, textiles, and doggy paraphernalia.

The two-storey building has been split into sections, allowing each vendor a small space to present their products and tell the story of their business. Some of the makers have small studios where you can watch them at work.

Everything in here is adorable, so it’s virtually impossible to leave without buying something - even if it's a gift to yourself!

My favourite vendor at the centre is Mouse Sails. it's run by Floss, the daughter of a sailor, who upcycles old sails into cool-looking bags (pictured above).

I love that the label on each bag tells you exactly what vessel it came from. This is just one of many gems inside The Exchange.

11. Check Out the Lighthouse at Penmon Point

No visit to Anglesey is complete without stopping off at a lighthouse. Just along the coast from Beaumaris is Penmon Point where you'll find a beautiful view, a pebbled beach and the mighty Trwyn Du Lighthouse just offshore. The lighthouse is also known as Penmon Lighthouse given its location.

The lighthouse was built between 1835 and 1838 to help ships navigate between Anglesey and Puffin Island which can be seen in the distance from Penmon Point.

It was the first Trinity House lighthouse to become automated back in 1922, when it was fitted with an acetylene gas lamp. It has remained unmanned since this time and is now controlled remotely.

While at Penmon Point, don't forget to look for the sea bridge just around the corner. This is a natural landmark where the force of the sea has carved out a hole in the cliffside that you can walk through... if you dare.

There’s also a cafe near the lighthouse, Pilots House Cafe. They have a vast menu of meals, snacks, and drinks. There's even a whole section of beers and cocktails if you visit in the evening.

There's a toll to visit Penmon Point which was £3.50 per car when I last visited. It's possible to walk from Beaumaris to Penmon Point along the Wales Coast Path, however, the 5-mile (8km) walk will take the best part of a full day round-trip.