Beaumaris

The historic town of Beaumaris is a Royal Borough in Anglesey, Wales and home to the important site of Beaumaris Castle as well as other historic sites of interest.  Located on the shores of the entrance to the Menai Strait, the area is rich with beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife habitats. Long ago this town was a Viking settlement but major development did not come until the late 13^th century when Edward I of England commissioned the building of Beaumaris Castle after he had conquered Wales. The castle is a link in a chain of fortifications around the North Wales coast that includes Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. Beaumaris was chosen as the site for the castle as Edward needed to ensure control of the Menai Strait as well as to have an emotional effect on the locals as it stood on the opposite shore to Garth Celyn, the headquarters of the Prince of Wales prior to the Edwardian conquest. The castle is considered the most perfect example of a concentric castle built.

Part of the Royal Charter of Beaumaris dictated that all trade in the immediate area be conducted at Beaumaris which led to the town becoming the main commercial centre of Anglesey at the time. Today the town still offers ample amenities, shops, eateries and pubs as well as a host of historic sites and nearby visitor and cultural attractions.