Beaumaris
 Castles |
Beaumaris is an elegant little town whose name derives from the Norman 'beau marais', meaning 'beautiful marsh'. It can justly claim to be one of the most attractive towns in Wales. It grew up around its castle and became the island's capital, but is now a quiet place.
Beaumaris is wonderful to walk around, with streets of half-timbered houses and early Victorian terraces designed by Joseph Hansom, the same man who designed the Hansom Cab. The Old Bull's Head Inn, built in 1472, contains a door said to be the largest in Britain at 13ft high and 11ft wide. On display in the inn is a fine collection of china. The Tudor Rose pub, also dating back to the 15th century, houses a small museum. The Courthouse and Gaol built in 1614, has on display the original cells, workroom and a well-preserved treadmill. On the flagstone floor of the court is a branding iron, once used to brand the hands of prisoners convicted of theft. The Courthouse is reputed to have been the scene of one of the notorious Judge Jeffreys' 'Bloody Assizes', held in the late 17th century.
The Church of St Nicholas dates from the 14th century. It retains some of its original stained glass, and in the porch lies the carved stone coffin of Joan, daughter of King John, and wife of the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great, who died in 1237. A more earlier museum is the Museum of Childhood Memories, opened in 1973. It houses an enthralling display of Victorian toys and music boxes, and shows the changing fashions of toys and amusements over the last 150 years.
The last of the eight huge fortresses built by Edward I dominates the town. Constructed in 1295, it was positioned to guard the Menai Strait. Much of the castle is still intact. It was designed by the king's military architect, James of St George, and represents medieval fortified building at its best. The outer 'curtain' wall is surrounded by a moat. It is in the form of an octagon and is strengthened by 16 drum towers. The curtain wall surrounds a higher inner wall, 43ft in height and square in shape, with a drum tower at each corner and a massive gateway on both north and south sides. In places the inner wall is 16ft thick. Still virtually surrounded by its original moat, Beaumaris Castle retains its ancient dock.
For further information see - http://www.beaumaris.org.uk/