Returning to Wales and our short break a couple of weeks ago. We visited the little town of Beaumaris on our first full day on Anglesey.
It was raining and quite windy as we parked on a muddy field not far from the castle. It was about 9.30a.m. and the castle was due to open then but we had a little walk along the front first.
It was raining and quite windy as we parked on a muddy field not far from the castle. It was about 9.30a.m. and the castle was due to open then but we had a little walk along the front first.
I spotted some Eider ducks in the water.
Our first view of the castle from the car park.
A view of the castle from the little public park at the side of it.
Beaumaris Castle is known as 'the greatest castle never built'. It was the last of the 'iron ring' of castles built in Wales by King Edward I and is considered his unfinished masterpiece, built with the help of his architect James of St George.
The castle is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lack of money caused work to cease on the building and its unique squat shape tells its own tale of a dream castle of perfect symmetry which never quite materialised.
We had a little wander around the lovely buildings opposite and into a little square before making our way to the castle gates.
At this time it was still wet underfoot and damp in the air but the heavy rain had stopped.
We entered the castle and apart from a couple of other people we had it mostly to ourselves for a good half hour.
The lady above was sweeping up conkers, which had fallen from the horse chestnut tree, so that people didn't slip or turn an ankle on one. She also told us that she knows of several people who collect the conkers to place around the house at 'spider time' apparently the spiders don't like the smell.
We watched a little film about the history of the castle and by the time we came out and went up onto the walls grey skies had disappeared and the sun was shining brightly.
The town looked lovely in the sunshine.
Along the inside of one of the wall passages was the chapel. Above it was a room which overlooked it. This is where the King could watch the services in private.
In several corners there were sculptures to be discovered. I must admit I had a play with this one and enjoyed making it sound through the empty 'rooms' of the castle.
It was getting warmer. Raincoats came off and sun hats put on.
The views from the castle walls were spectacular.
More photos above of the castle interior.
From the castle we wandered back into the town.
Across the road from the castle we found Castle Gardens.
A delightful little haven of peace and quiet away from the main street which had become rather busy whilst we were in the castle.
Containing lovely plants and flowers, metal and wood garden sculptures and a gorgeous resident cat.
We rather liked this woodpecker.
and the puffins too.
Below some more photos of the town
I'd like to return one day as there was plenty more to discover but it was time to move on further up the coast.
Beaumaris is one of our favourite places.We can be there in just over an hour.Did you go in the Janet Bell gallery?
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely place and we would like to return again in the not too distant future. It's about 3 hours for us, I will look for the gallery next time we visit:)
DeleteThe old castle is quite a marvelous sight!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely castle:)
DeleteWe spent a short time here on our Welsh adventures. I agree a pretty town. We were too late to see inside the castle so it was lovely to see your photos. B x
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed looking around both town and castle. I think a return visit is in order as there were many other things to see and enjoy:)
DeleteFantastic! The sun came out just in time to give you great views and a chance to see the Castle and town at its best. 😊
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely that the sun came out for our visit, although the castle did look rather atmospheric in the damp and mist:)
DeleteSuch a striking castle it was a delight to see. Loved the sculptures particularly the puffins. What a great place for a visit.
ReplyDeleteI thought the metal bird sculptures were lovely both castle and garden were a delight to visit:)
DeleteIt's lovely, I really like the Woodpecker and Puffin sculptures too! We actually put a circle of conkers around a large house spider on our carpet once, it did nothing apart from step over and carry on it's way :D
ReplyDeleteHa Ha - intrepid spider, perhaps the conkers don't work after all. We do try and catch the spiders in a bug pot, I don't really like the big ones that scurry along very quickly, I can catch the little ones in the pot but let P catch the big ones:)
DeleteI don't think they do!! We've got quite a few large spiders at the moment, i've got quite good at catching them in glass and putting them outside!
DeleteYou timed everything well as you had the castle to yourselves for a while and then experienced the peace of the garden afterwards with the sun coming out so that you could enjoy more outside. The chapel in the castle and those lancet windows caught my eye. The harp sculpture invites one to touch it and hear the sounds echo around the building. The garden sculptures are different and charming. I tried the conker experiment to deter spiders last year, but don't know whether it made much of a difference. They're sure to be lurking now that it's getting colder and I'm not keen on the way they scuttle across a room.
ReplyDeleteWe did time it rather well I was so glad it didn't rain all day. I thought I might make an awful discordant noise with the harp but it sounded lovely even in my untrained hands. Spiders, ugh - I really don't like them, it's the not knowing where they have gone when you see them and they disappear whilst you are looking for something to catch them with - we always put them outside:)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post and photos and you brought back so many memories of our visit in June. So pleased the rain stopped for you. It was especially interesting for me to see the chapel in the castle as somehow I managed to miss it!!!
ReplyDeleteI have heard about conkers too and spiders. My son is not keen on them and does have a bowl of conkers in his bedroom although I still see spiders in there!!
I really liked Beaumaris - it is very picturesque and so much to see and do. Well done on the eiders :)
What a shame you missed the chapel, the windows were lovely and it seemed so enclosed and peaceful. We want to return to Beaumaris,perhaps even find a base there for a few days as there was much more to see. I don't mind small spiders but really don't care for the larger ones that come in to the house at this time of year. We do try and get them into the bug pot and put them outside as far away from the house as possible. I don't like all the webs with spiders in them in the garden either I hate the feel of the webs on my arms or face as you walk between plants in the garden:)
DeleteI am so *jealous* of all the lovely places, to which you can easily get. -smile- Not really jealous, of course. But as I continue to say, you are very lucky.
ReplyDelete🍂🍁🍂
We are very lucky to live not far from some lovely places and to be able to travel to others. Beaumaris is about three hours drive away from here too far for one day so we stop over when we can:)
DeleteBeaumaris is a lovely town and lucky you, seeing her at her best in sunshine (eventually). I've been to the castle several times but never the Castle Gardens so thanks for that, I'll add it to my list. We've rented cottages a few times through Menai Holidays and we've never been disappointed so it might be worth you having a look at them, but my favourite place to stay on Anglesey is the glamping pods at Llanfair Hall. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs T. I think we may look into basing ourselves somewhere close by as I liked that side of the coast, probably because thw eather was fair. the next day on the other side was awful:) The glamping sounds wonderful. the garden is just inside a door at the end of the main street and comes out at the road at the back, so access both ways:)
DeleteLovely post & such a gorgeous place to explore. Love the harp. Have a great weekend & take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, it was a lovely place to visit, the harp was wonderful. Hope you too have a lovely weekend:)
DeleteLovely post Rosie. I like the woodpecker too! I hope you have a good weekend. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone, I'd love a woodpecker for the garden. Hope you have a good weekend too:)
DeleteA good day out :) Another place I'd like to visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Louise, it was a place we'd passed through but never spent time in, I thought is was lovely:)
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