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Every year, lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos publishes its view on the best places to live , creating a list of 260 villages, towns, and cities that offer great amenities and facilities, dreamy landscapes, and a thriving and friendly community. The list features eight Welsh towns that are considered the best places to call home and I visited one of them to see what makes it so special. Perched along the treacherous Menai Strait, colourful Beaumaris is the historic hub of Anglesey . This captivating seaside town has a blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture alongside the "greatest castle never built". This fabulous coastal town on our largest island is described by Muddy Stilettos as: "Surrounded by unparalleled beauty, with wildlife galore and a thriving community, Beaumaris is a hidden gem. It even has a Taylor Swift-themed café." I visited Beaumaris on a road trip around Anglesey and it was one of my favourite stops as I loved the wildlife, coastline, and community feel. From speaking with friendly locals in cosy cafés I learn that Beautiful Beaumaris was an ancient borough, awarded its first charter in 1296. Wander around and you’ll spot plenty of reminders of its past – from the impressive 13th-century castle to a courthouse that’s been standing since 1614. Don’t miss the Beaumaris Gaol or the Tudor Rose, a 14th-century timber-framed beauty and one of the oldest of its kind in Britain. And if you fancy a pint with a side of history the Bulls Head Inn, built in 1472, is where General Thomas Mytton set up camp during the 1648 Siege of Beaumaris in the second English Civil War and was visited by Charles Dickens in 1859. While the town is packed with stories there's still plenty to do here on an Anglesey holiday. Go crab fishing off the pier, take a wildlife-watching boat trip, or hike along the blustery shoreline. Beaumaris Castle is one of the town's highlights and an imposing reminder of the ambition of English royalty to subdue Wales and it was my first stop on my jaunt around the coastal bolthole. This commanding fortress, famous as "the greatest castle never built," was to be the crowning glory of King Edward's "Iron Ring" of mighty fortresses at Conwy , Caernarfon, Beaumaris, and Harlech. Ruthless Edward I launched two military campaigns in Wales in 1277 and 1282-83, aimed at defeating the Welsh princes and establishing English authority, and massive castles played a key role in the military plan. “Beau Mareys,” meaning “beautiful marsh,” located beside the Menai Strait, proved to be the perfect setting for a grand-scale fortress with near-perfect symmetry. Its defences were nothing short of formidable – four concentric rings encircled the stronghold, including a water-filled moat complete with its own dock, blending strength and strategic elegance. According to Cadw a lack of funds (show-off castles are notoriously expensive) and brewing trouble in Scotland meant that building work on the grand castle had petered out by the 1320s. The south gatehouse and the six great towers in the inner ward never reached their intended height. The Llanfaes gate was barely started before being abandoned. Today this incomplete castle serves as a poignant reminder of Wales' tumultuous past, marked by bloody battles and Celtic defiance, all of which is encapsulated within its imposing stone walls. Cadw now manages the site and you can visit for just £33.60 for a family ticket. Outside of grand castles there are plenty of outdoor adventures and wholesome activities to enjoy here. Nothing says "family holiday in Wales" like crabbing off a historic pier while the wind whips around you. Beaumaris Pier was initially opened in 1846 and rebuilt in 1872 and is a favourite spot for crabbing with the kids. You can buy all your gear from the small pier kiosk or the RNLI Lifeboat Station shop. Both locations offer crabbing nets, bait, and buckets to get you going. After crabbing settle in on the green with fish and chips and watch out for greedy seagulls. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here One of my favourite things to do here is to go on a wildlife-spotting boat trip. Seacoast Safaris depart from Beaumaris Pier and offer nature and sightseeing cruises to Puffin Island (or Ynys Seiriol in Welsh). This protected island is a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds as well as home to a resident colony of Atlantic grey seals. Want a more adventurous trip? Book an all-day Rib Ride boat trip and explore the entire coastline of Anglesey. With its spectacular 100-mile coastline there’s no better way to uncover its dramatic beauty than on a high-speed rib ride skimming past rugged headlands, remote beaches, and eerie sea caves. One of the most exhilarating parts of the trip is bouncing over the Menai Strait’s most notorious stretch of water, the Swellies. As you pass Telford’s magnificent Menai suspension bridge you'll be entering a treacherous body of water with rapid tidal flows and a history of shipwrecks. The tide here is wild, rushing in from both ends and colliding with full force over a seabed dotted with hidden rocks. The remains of shipwrecks are a stark reminder that not everyone has made it through unscathed. As you thread your way between whirlpools and racing currents your trusty skipper will explain how, centuries ago, tall ships had to navigate this treacherous channel with nothing but sails and oars, hoping the tide wouldn’t drag them onto the rocks. You'll also explore and whizz past other coastal landmarks like South Stack Lighthouse and Ynys Llanddwyn while spotting resident seals, dolphins, and seabirds. One of the most popular beaches in Anglesey, Penmon Point Beach, is a craggy and historic part of the Anglesey coast and is one of my favourite spots. From the beach you have epic views of the nearby Puffin Island and the Trwyn Du Lighthouse, also known as Penmon Lighthouse, which was built in 1838 to mark the north entrance to the Menai Strait. One of the best ways to explore this area is to hike to Penmon on a circular trail. The AllTrails app features a seven-mile loop trail near Beaumaris that you can follow. This is a beautiful and varied trail that takes in sweeping coastal views and historic sites as you make your way past the Church of St Cawrdaf, on the road to Trwyn Dy Lighthouse, along the coast to Castell Aberlleiniog, and back to the start past Llangoed. The Grade II-listed Bull's Head Inn was named the best pub in Wales in 2024 and is renowned for its real ales and live music. Located at the heart of town in Castle Street it dates back to the 15th century and retains all the character and charm it has acquired over the last 550 years. Its listed bar is decorated with an array of memorabilia including antique weaponry and, reputedly, the town’s original ducking stool. You can stop by for food – including breakfast, light bites, and dinner – or spend the night in one of its array of rooms. Their delicious homemade food is freshly cooked to order and the seasonal menu features pub classics. Typical dishes include a lamb burger, traditional fish and chips, and pan-fried chicken supreme. If you're looking for a longer stay in Beaumaris you can check for hotel deals on sites like booking.com , Sykes Cottages , and Holiday Cottages to find a hotel, cottage, or self-catering stay that suits your budget and group size. For a unique visit Ynys Faelog is just a 10-minute drive from Beaumaris and is perfect for a group stay. Perched in two lovely acres of gardens and woodland this six-bedroom home is surrounded by the beautiful yet treacherous Menai Strait on all sides. It's connected to the mainland by a private causeway, both vehicular and pedestrian, which is accessible at all tides (though the car route is tide-dependent for high waters above 5m). The large house is clearly designed for sociable stays. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room is flooded with natural light with enough space for 12 people to cook, eat, and lounge without getting under each other's feet. You can read more about Ynys Faelog here .
