Castles of the Ring of Iron

The last and most elaborate of the four Castles of Iron, Beaumaris is a castle designer’s dream with its concentric design of a castle within a castle. Although unfinished, it represents a dramatic landmark and the gateway to the visitor-hub town of Anglesey.

This imposing medieval fortress was originally built in the 11th century, then enhanced by King Edward I at the end of the 13th century. The scene of many a siege and sacking, and then increasingly unnecessary, it fell into disrepair so that only the shell walls remain today.

Originally built by the English King Edward I during his 13th-century conquest of Wales – one of the so-called ‘Ring-of-Iron’ castles – Conwy remained a refuge of kings and usurpers until it was finally ruined in 1665 by the English government to prevent further revolt. An evocative complex with all the castle ingredients – keeps, moats, towers and battlements you can walk around.

Picture-postcard Harlech is most fairytale of the four castles, its imposing towers set atop a 200ft rocky outcrop overlooking the Cambrian coastline. An exhibition in the visitor centre explores the story of the castle’s military history.