The view from Beaumaris Pier at dusk — castle walls turning amber, the Menai Strait glassy and still, Snowdonia’s peaks catching the last light — explains why people have been choosing to stay in this town since Edward I’s masons first arrived in 1295. Seven centuries on, Beaumaris remains Anglesey’s most refined base: Georgian townhouses line the waterfront, independent shops fill the lanes, and the castle itself stands unfinished yet magnificent at the town’s heart.
Why Stay in Beaumaris
Beaumaris sits at the southeastern tip of Anglesey, connected to the mainland by the Menai bridges just 4 miles away. This makes it the natural landing point for visitors arriving from Bangor or the A55, yet it never feels like a gateway — it feels like a destination in its own right.
The town is compact enough to explore on foot. Castle Street runs from the pier to the castle gates, passing the Ye Olde Bull’s Head Inn — a 15th-century coaching inn where Charles Dickens once stayed. The Liverpool Arms sits at the waterfront, its terrace catching afternoon sun and Strait views. Restaurants punch above the town’s size: fine dining at Ye Olde Bull’s Head upstairs, seafood at the Sailor’s Return, cake and coffee at a dozen competing cafés.
Beyond the town, Beaumaris is Anglesey’s eastern anchor. Penmon Priory and Black Point are 4 miles northeast. Puffin Island boat trips depart from the pier. The Coastal Path runs in both directions — south toward Llanfaes and the Menai Strait beaches, north toward Red Wharf Bay’s vast tidal flats. You could spend a week here and never drive.
Historic Inns & Character Hotels
Beaumaris specialises in accommodation with stories attached.
Ye Olde Bull’s Head Inn dominates Castle Street. The coaching inn dates to 1472, predating the Tudor period, and the building shows every century since — low beams, uneven floors, a courtyard where stagecoaches once turned. Rooms are traditional rather than minimalist; the restaurant holds two AA Rosettes. A good fit for couples wanting atmosphere over anonymity.
The town has several Georgian townhouses converted to boutique stays. Look for properties on Castle Street, Rating Row, and Church Street — many are owner-run B&Bs where breakfast is served in a room overlooking the water or the castle walls.
For something with grounds, properties along the Menai Strait between Beaumaris and Menai Bridge offer a different character: lawns running to the water, views across to Bangor, and often mooring access for those arriving by boat.
Waterfront B&Bs & Guesthouses
The stretch between the pier and the lifeboat station hosts several B&Bs with front-row Strait views. Rooms here book early for summer weekends — reserve by April if you want a sea-facing room in July or August.
What to expect: most Beaumaris B&Bs are Victorian or Edwardian properties, two to four letting rooms, owner-operated. Breakfast is usually a full Welsh affair — laverbread and cockles appear alongside the bacon. Some offer afternoon tea; a few have their own parking (valuable in a town where street parking fills fast in peak season).
Dog-friendly rooms exist but are limited. Ask directly rather than assuming — the Georgian townhouses that dominate the seafront often have restrictions due to shared staircases or listed-building carpets.
Self-Catering Cottages & Holiday Lets
For stays of a week or more, self-catering opens up more of Beaumaris and its surroundings.
In town: Cottages and apartments converted from Georgian townhouses offer the full Beaumaris experience — you’re living where locals live, shopping at the butcher and bakery, walking to dinner. Expect period features, steep stairs, and limited parking. Two-bedroom properties suit couples or small families; larger groups should look outside the town centre.
On the Strait: Between Beaumaris and Menai Bridge, waterfront properties range from converted boathouses to substantial houses with private slipways. These suit families who want space, kayak storage, and the freedom to come and go without navigating one-way streets.
Wider Beaumaris area: The villages of Llangoed and Penmon, 3–5 miles northeast, offer farmhouse conversions and barn cottages with rural quiet yet easy access to the coast. Red Wharf Bay and Benllech, 6–8 miles north, bring you closer to the island’s east-coast beaches.
Browse Anglesey cottages through Snaptrip or VRBO for verified listings with guest reviews.
What to Do From Your Beaumaris Base
The castle is the obvious first stop — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the last and largest of Edward I’s Welsh fortresses, and still eerily perfect despite never being completed. Allow 90 minutes for a thorough visit; the view from the wall-walks justifies the climb.
Seacoast Safaris runs boat trips to Puffin Island from Beaumaris Pier. The 90-minute circuit passes grey seal colonies and seabird cliffs — book ahead in summer.
Anglesey Outdoors, based in town, offers coasteering, kayaking, and climbing sessions on the nearby coast. Passage Guiding runs sea kayak tours from the same stretch of water.
For a quieter morning, walk the lane to Penmon Priory (4 miles) via Black Point, pausing at the Pilot House Café for coffee with a view of the lighthouse.
Practical Notes
Parking: The main car park behind the castle fills by 10am on summer weekends. Street parking exists but is time-limited. If your accommodation lacks off-street parking, arrive by early evening or resign yourself to a walk from the town outskirts.
Getting there: From the A55 (North Wales Expressway), take Junction 8A for Menai Bridge. Cross the Britannia Bridge, then follow the A545 east along the Strait — Beaumaris is 4 miles. The route passes Plas Newydd (National Trust) if you want to break the journey.
Best time to visit: May to September brings the best weather and the busiest streets. Boat trips run Easter to October. The castle stays open year-round. Winter Beaumaris is quieter but atmospheric — log fires in the pubs, frost on the castle walls, and rooms at half the summer rate.
Book Your Beaumaris Stay
For hotels and B&Bs in Beaumaris, search Booking.com to compare availability and prices. Self-catering cottages across Anglesey are available through Snaptrip.