Anglesey is steeped in history and home to a plethora of visitor attractions which help tell the story of the many civilizations who have lived on our beautiful island. This includes three magnificent castles on Anglesey, all of which were constructed in three very different periods of history. 

If you are willing to venture slightly further afield into mainland Wales, you will also find that our holiday parks are within easy driving range of some of the most famous castles in Britain, one of which has been classified by UNESCO as the greatest example of 13th century military architecture in Europe.

For all the history buffs out there, we’ve put together a guide to what we consider to be the best castles on or near Anglesey to visit during one of your holidays at our resorts. Let’s start off with the 3 castles on Anglesey itself…

 

Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris is home to one of the most picturesque castles on Anglesey, with its fully functional moat which helps to set it apart from other castles in the region. 

Built in the late 13th century by King Edward I as part of his campaign to conquer Wales, Beaumaris castle is generally considered to be the most technically perfect castle in the UK thanks to its near perfect symmetrical layout made up of ten mighty towers and higher inner ring of daunting defenses.

Following on the back of the construction of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech castles, this was certainly the most impressive of King Edward’s designs and also the largest. However, it is now perhaps most famous for being the best castle that was never built. Rising tensions in Scotland and the ever growing expense of putting this ambitious design together meant that it was never fully completed to the original spec. 

Despite forming part of the royalists rebellion during the English Civil War, the castle escaped slighting and is therefore far more intact than many other castles on Anglesey. It is certainly well worth a visit for anyone with even the remotest interest in British history. 

 

Castell Aberlleiniog

At the time of its construction, Beaumaris Castle would have looked like a spaceship in comparison to some of the other castles on Anglesey such as Castell Aberlleiniog. This motte-and-bailey design was constructed during the Norman conquest in the 11th century, some 200 years prior to Beaumaris Castle. 

Located near to the village of Llangoed just a few miles away from Beaumaris, Castell Aberlleiniog was built by the 1st Earl of Chester at the top of a steep hill for tactical purposes as the English sought to suppress the Welsh uprising. Sadly for the Earl, this was not enough to prevent the castle from being forcibly taken by the King of Gwynedd Gruffudd ap Cynan in 1094.

The current stone structure is believed to have been erected by the Constable of Beaumaris Thomas Cheadle during the 17th century as he sought to maintain control of the Menai Strait during the English civil war. 

While it is one of the smaller castles on Anglesey, Castell Aberlleiniog is still impressive to behold and entrenched in local history. If you are planning on paying it a visit, then you should be aware that the only way to reach the castle is on foot through the surrounding woodland. The closest car park is less than a mile away from this spot in the centre of Llangoed. 

 

Surf Point Castle

If you are looking for a slightly more contemporary structure, then you may want to head to Surf Point Castle which was built between 1906 and 1908. It is better known as Sausage Castle as it was constructed by the wealthy sausage manufacturer C.H. Palethorpe of Palethorpe who, at the time, was the largest sausage producer in the world.

Situated in the village of Rhosneigr, this grade II listed building was designed to look like a sandcastle and overlooks Crigyll Beach. It marked the start of a revolution in Rhosneigr which, from this point onwards, started to be considered the family friendly holiday destination that it is known as today.

While it is not possible to actually enter Surf Point Castle, it is still an iconic, Instagrammable landmark should you decide to enjoy a coastal walk in the region.

 

Castles Near Anglesey

Although there are plenty of other ancient sites on Anglesey, that is pretty much it for castles we would recommend visiting on the island. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll is home to the prehistoric Castell Bryn Gwyn. However, this is now nothing more than a circular clay and gravel bank covered in grass and therefore isn’t really worth the trip.

However, there are plenty of other castles near Anglesey in mainland Wales that are certainly worth frequenting. Three of these, like Beaumaris Castle, were constructed by King Edward I and his chosen architect James of Saint George.

 

Caernarfon Castle

Built during the 1280s under the instruction of King Edward I, Caernarfon castle was one of a plethora of castles in North Wales that were designed by architect James of Saint George who  is generally considered to be one of the greatest architects of the medieval era. 

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Caernarfon Castle is still a magnificent sight to behold with its polygonal towers. One of these is the mighty Eagle Tower which is famous for its 18 foot thick walls and three turrets. This made it a formidable fortress and took over 47 years to complete.

Its impressive construction has ensured that the castle has been used as the filming location for many movies over the years including 2017’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Another lesser known fact about the castle is that the body of Roman emperor Magnus Maximus was discovered during its construction. His body was later reburied in a nearby church under the orders of King Edward I.

 

Conwy Castle

Another castle which was designed by James of Saint George for King Edward I is Conwy Castle which was completed in 1287. The castle is a dominating presence in Conwy, with its surrounding walls encompassing almost the entire town. 

UNESCO has classified Conwy Castle as being one of the finest remaining pieces of 13th century military architecture in Europe and it’s clear to see why with its eight formidable towers and thick defensive walls. Visitors are welcome to tour the castle grounds and climb to the top of the towers. From here you can enjoy stunning views overlooking the Conwy Estuary. 

 

Harlech Castle

The third and final castle near Anglesey that was designed for King Edward I by James of Saint George is located in Harlech. This is roughly a one hour drive from Silver Bay Holiday Park and 1 hour 15 minutes from Woodland Falls. However, it is well worth the journey if you have a passion for history.

Built between 1282 and 1289, the castle cost just £8,190 to complete. This was a large amount at the time but far more modest than the £25,000 which is said to have been spent on Caernarfon Castle. That doesn’t make it any less impressive, with its ‘walls within walls’ design ensuring that it managed to endure a 7 year siege during the War of the Roses. This is the longest siege in British history.

Should you pay a visit today, you can enjoy wonderful views overlooking the Irish Sea and the mountains of Snowdonia in the distance. 

 

Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle is described as being a “neo-Norman fantasy castle” by the National Trust. However, the modern day building was constructed between 1820 and 1837. This means that it is in far better condition than many other castles near Anglesey and more akin to a stately home.  

There are a number of fascinating exhibits to be enjoyed at the castle. Chief amongst these is a stunning art room which features a massive mural by Rex Whistler. You can also explore the library, kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, all of which feature period furniture and decor. 

Whilst visiting Penrhyn Castle, we would also recommend touring the surrounding woodlands and walled gardens which are just as stunning as the castle itself.