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North Wales castles
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DANIELLE BRERETON looks at some of North Wales' magnificent castles
Beaumaris
Situated in Angelsey, this semi-ruinous World Heritage Site built in the thirteenth century is a beautiful place to visit. Uniquely, it has a moat and was unfinished by Edward I because the funds ‘dried up.’ It is the largest and last of the many castle that he built during his reign, and yet it is one of the least expensive to currently see.
Events:
18th May- Festival of Heritage, Arts and Crafts
10.30am-3.30pm
Normal admission.
18, 25 & 26 June- Archery and Living History
11am-4pm
Normal admission.
13-14 August- A Medievil Fantasy
10am-5pm
Normal admission
Admission-
Adult: £3.80
Senior/Student: £3.40
Child up to 16: £3.40
Family ticket: £11 (Two adults & all children under 16)
Opening Times-
1st April-30 June
9.30am-5pm (Monday-Sunday)
1st Jult-31st August
9.30am-6pm (Monday-Sunday)
Conwy
Another of Edward I’s magnificent Welsh castles built by James of St. George. An estimated £15,000 was spent on building it, which is the most he spent in such a short time on any of the castles built between 1277 and 1307. It has two barbicans (fortified gateways) and eight towers in total. It has some of the best views across the mountains and the sea.
Events:
24-27 August- ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
7.30pm start.
Adult: £14.50
Concession: £8.50
Admission-
Adult: £4.80
Reduced rate: £4.30
Family ticket: £13.90
Opening times-
1st April- 30 June
9.30am-5pm
Monday-Sunday
1st July-31st August
9.30am-6pm
Monday-Sunday
Caernarfon
Built in 1283, this World Heritage Site was not only a castle, but used as a military stronghold and as a seat of government and royal palace. The castle situated close to the Seiot river and has unique polygonal towers. It became famous in 1969 as the setting for the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers is also housed here.
Admission-
Adult: £5.25
Reduced rate: £4.85
Family ticket: £15.35
Opening times-
1st April- 30th June
9.30am-5pm
Monday-Sunday
1st July-30th August
9.30am-6pm
Monday-Sunday
Harlech
The place which held the longest siege in British history, this castle is one that has withstood a lot. During the war of the roses the siege lasted from 1461-1468. It was built long before this siege in the thirteenth century between 1283 and 1295. It was one of the least expensive of the castles to buld by Edward I at a mere £8,190.
Events-
28-29th August- 15th century tourney and living history
11am-4pm
Normal admission
Admission-
Adult: £3.80
Reduced rate: £3.40
Family ticket: £11
Opening times-
1st April- 30th June
9.30am-5pm
Monday-Sunday
1st July-30th August
9.30am-6pm
Monday-Sunday
Bodelwyddan
A Grade II listed building in Denbighshire, this large castle is situated on 260 acres of parkland and hosts a museum with a free audio tour available. The Humphreys family of Anglesey built the castle in around 1460. There have been reports that the site is haunted by ghosts and repeated sightings have been reported of a soldier in the gallery.
Admission to castle and park-
Adults: £6.60
Concessions: £5.50
Children 5-16 yrs: £2.75
Opening times-
3rd-29th May
Wenesday-Sunday
10am-5pm
30th May-5th June
Monday-Sunday
10am-5pm
6th June-24th July
Wenesday-Sunday
10am-5pm
25th July- 4th September
Monday-Sunday
10am-5pm
Penrhyn
This 19th century neo-norman caslte is situated between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait and is full of fascinating objects aswell as being ‘fairytale like’ in appearance. It houses a one-ton, slate bed that was used by Queen Victoria aswell as a large collection of furniture and paintings.
Admission-
Adult: £10
Child: £5
Opening times-
12th March- 30th October
12am-5pm
Monday, Wednesday-Sunday
1st July-31st August
11am-5pm
Monday, Wednesday-Sunday
