A Day in Beaumaris

Beaumaris has a way of pulling you in for ‘just a couple of hours’ and keeping you there all day. A Medieval castle, Georgian streets, The Straits on one side and Snowdonia on the other, and just enough independent shops, cafés and pubs tucked in between to make wandering the whole point of going.  

Parking: The Green Car Park is your best bet, on the waterfront and within easy walking distance of the castle, the gaol, the pier and the shops. It’s pay and display, so worth grabbing change or having a parking app ready before you arrive. 

Here’s how we’d spend a day there. 

Morning: Castle, Coffee and a Secret Garden 

Start at Beaumaris Castle UNESCO World Heritage listed, and every bit as impressive as that sounds. Give yourself an hour or so to properly explore it. 

From there, head to the Castle Gardens, a genuinely hidden gem of a garden ‘centre’ tucked right in the middle of town. Not what you’d expect to stumble on in the heart of Beaumaris, which is exactly why it’s worth finding. Plants and accessories on show 

For a coffee stop, Pier House Café is a lovely spot to sit for a while, and if you’re browsing rather than sitting, pop into The Exchange for beautifully made local crafts, the kind of shop that’s easy to lose twenty minutes in. 

Midday: Lunch, Local Fame and the Pier 

For lunch, The Midland is the one everyone talks about, lovely food, lovely surroundings, and reportedly a favourite of Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, who’s been known to rave about the food here. Good enough for him, good enough for us. 

Afterwards, head down to the Victorian Pier, first opened in 1846 and still a lovely spot for a slow walk. Watch the boats, keep an eye out for seals, or try crabbing with the kids, a proper Beaumaris tradition. The views stretch right across the water to the peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia). The pier sits directly opposite The Bulkeley Hotel, an excellent choice for afternoon tea and after a quick pint in the Liverpool arms or The Bull. 

Puffin Island cruises leave from The Pier if you fancy getting out on the water to spot seals, seabirds and maybe a dolphin or two and it’s also great if you’ve got kids with you. 

Afternoon: Pints, Chips and a Slower Pace 

For something more relaxed, Castle Court does a lovely afternoon pint, grab a spot in the courtyard under the red parasols, looking straight towards the castle, and you’ve got about as good a holiday view as you’ll find. 

If it’s fish and chips you’re after, Doc Shack is the local favourite, just keep half an eye on your chips if you’re eating on the Green, the seagulls here are notoriously bold.  

No day in Beaumaris is complete without a stop at Red Boat, the ice cream parlour on the high street. A proper Beaumaris ritual. 

Fancy something quieter still? The café at The Baths is a nice spot to sit with a drink and watch the world go by at your own pace. 

A Dash to Penmon

Before you head back, it’s well worth the short drive out to Penmon Point. The lighthouse here is striking, especially with the light changing over the water. A good place to bring the dog. 

Worth Knowing 

Dog-friendly by nature, Beaumaris has plenty of open, dog-welcoming space, and several of the cafés and pubs mentioned above happily welcome four-legged visitors too. 

Kids will love the crabbing on the pier, the Puffin Island boat trips, and the freedom to run around the castle grounds and the Green. 

Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need, Beaumaris rewards slowing down, not rushing through. 

Whether it’s history, food, a boat trip or just a good long walk with the dog, Beaumaris gives you plenty of reasons to come, stay a while, and come back again. Time your visit for late July/early August and you might catch the Menai Strait Regattas in full swing. 

Fancy waking up in the middle of it all? Number 66 is a beautiful property available to book throughout the year, right here in Beaumaris.