The Welsh seaside town named one of Europe's best kept secrets
If you're planning a Welsh staycation or day trip over the summer holidays, heading to a lesser-known location and escaping the masses of crowds you might find in Tenby or Barry could also make for a more tranquil experience.
HomeToGo has published a compilation of underappreciated European destinations, settlements and villages frequently ignored by tourists that merit exploration, with Beaumaris in Wales securing a position within the top 10, reports the Express.
The European Hidden Gem Index evaluated 50 locations described as "Europe's best-kept secrets", ranking destinations according to various criteria including the climate, accommodation costs, dining opportunities and natural beauty.
Featuring a diverse blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, HomeToGo described Beaumaris as a perfect destination "for the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles and boat trips to wild islands".
Situated on Anglesey, which The Telegraph recently crowned Britain's finest island, Beaumaris also received an impressive 9.48 out of 10 rating for its landscape.
A World Heritage Site, Beaumaris Castle was built between 1295 and 1330, and despite remaining incomplete, it's frequently hailed as a masterpiece and amongst the finest Edwardian castles in Wales.
Also referred to as the greatest castle never completed, it was the final and most substantial of the fortresses erected by King Edward I in Wales, and it's regularly celebrated for its almost flawless symmetry.
However, it's not solely about castles, as the charming coastal town sits on the banks of the Menai Strait. Maritime excursions run by Sea Coast Safaris enable tourists to view Beaumaris from the water, sailing past Victorian jetties, the town's own Millionaires Row and The Swellies, recognised as the most dangerous stretch of the Menai Strait.
Puffin Island is also accessible from Beaumaris. Called Ynys Seiriol in Welsh, the island serves as a protected refuge and breeding ground for numerous seabirds, and is inhabited by Atlantic grey seals.
With a sand and shingle coastline, should you choose to remain on dry land, Beaumaris Beach provides views across the Menai Strait and Eryri. The nearest train station to the town is Bangor, from where visitors can take a direct bus service to Menai Bridge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Former Telegraph correspondent found alive after week stranded in Norwegian wilderness
The Telegraph's former Moscow correspondent has been found alive after spending nearly a week alone in the wilderness with a serious leg injury. Alec Luhn went missing in the remote Folgefonna national park in Norway after embarking on a four-day hike on July 31. Mr Luhn, a US-born reporter who worked in Moscow for The Telegraph between 2017 and 2019, was reported missing on Monday after failing to catch a flight from Bergen to Britain. He injured himself the evening he set out, according to Geir Arne Sunde, the head of the local air ambulance service and trauma centre. 'He is seriously injured, but not critically injured,' Mr Sunde said, after rescue teams found Mr Luhn at 11.34am local time on Wednesday. The award-winning journalist survived in the mountains in very bad weather for five days, with little food or drink, Mr Sunde said. 'I can't remember us finding someone alive after so many days,' said Stig Hope, head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna and a Red Cross volunteer. 'The search doesn't always end like this – but today, it did. It's a huge relief for everyone who's been part of the effort.' The search for Mr Luhn involved rescuers from the Red Cross, police, dogs, specialised climbers and drones. It was suspended first on Monday night and then again on Tuesday because of poor weather, including heavy rainfall. Helicopters had been hunting for the journalist for several days when one finally spotted him, Mr Sunde said. Veronika Silchenko, his wife, told CBS News it was a 'miracle' that he had been found. 'I think it's a miracle,' she said. 'It's the best day of my life.' Drew Gaddis, Mr Luhn's sister, confirmed he had been found 'in overall good health' and was being taken to hospital in Bergen in a helicopter. 'We can breathe again,' she said. His wife said that Mr Luhn, now a climate reporter, was 'basically obsessed with the Arctic'. 'He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers… He's trying his best to go to the coldest countries,' she said of Mr Luhn, who once went to the Arctic to try to find polar bears for a Telegraph story. Mr Luhn has numerous awards for his reporting, including two Emmy nominations. He spent several years in Moscow for The Telegraph newspaper, followed by a stint in Istanbul. He now lives in the UK, where he is a Pulitzer Centre Ocean Reporting Network fellow.
Time Out Dubai
2 hours ago
- Time Out Dubai
7 Dubai Creek Harbour restaurants to check out on your next visit
One of the city's up and coming neighbourhoods, it's no surprise that tasty new eats keep popping up in Dubai Creek Harbour. Home to a selection of restaurants, you can enjoy plenty of cuisines in this neck of the woods, complete with a gorgeous view of the water. If you like this: These are officially the best restaurants in Dubai for 2025 If you're in the area and feeling peckish, check out one of these top spots and dig in. Dubai Creek Harbour restaurants Batoni The Georgian restaurant bakes its bread fresh every morning, so a khachapuri with truffle has to be on your order. If you're visiting with mates (or are really hungry), the metre-long kebab might just do the trick, or for something a little smaller, the shrimp or veal lula kebabs are also worth a try. To finish, grab a slice of the ideal cake, packed with condensed milk, crushed nuts and a layer of crispy meringue in the middle. Open daily 11am-noon. Dubai Creek Harbour, (056 229 4224). DUO Gastrobar Credit: DUO Gastrobar Boasting a menu of modern European cuisine with a slight touch of Asia, DUO's aim is to bring the essence of Saint Petersburg to Dubai. Kick off with a plate of fresh Dibba Bay oysters before moving onto the signature beef tartare with parmesan. Focussing on simple but effective ingredients, be sure to dig a fork into the sea bass with spicy ponzu before you leave. Open Sun-Thu 9am-11pm; Fri-Sat 9am-midnight. Dubai Creek Harbour, (052 756 7663). EGE Named after the Aegean Sea, EGE really leans into that Mediterranean vibe – think warm hospitality, tasty flavours and a whole lot of festivity. The menu is a proper celebration of the Aegean region, loaded with super-fresh seafood, sizzling grills, colourful mezes great for sharing and classic desserts. Everything's made with high-quality ingredients, so you know it's the real deal. Plus, they've got a great selection of grape, hops and mixed drinks to go with your meal. Open Mon-Thu 3pm-1am, Fri-Sun 1pm-1am. VIDA Creek Harbour, Dubai Creek Harbour, (04 572 9915). Kiyoshi Opening inside Vida Creek Beach, the Japanese restaurant is a great spot for an Insta and a sashimi slice or two. Offering a selection of deals throughout the week, take the fam on a Sunday so the little ones can get a free sando, or get comfy in a blue floral booth to tackle its Maki Monday menu. Open Mon-Thu 4pm-1am; Fri-Sun noon-1am. Vida Creek Harbour Hotel, Dubai Creek Harbour, (04 572 6578). Soul Green Calling all veggies, this waterside spot has plenty of veggie, vegan, gluten and dairy free dishes meaning that everyone is covered. From a vegan apricot and cheese bruschetta to a spicy cauliflower steak or mushroom gnocchi, every Plus, there's a sundowner buy-one-get-one-free menu on from 4pm-9pm Fridays through Tuesdays paired with a very impressive view. Open daily noon-1am. Dubai Creek Harbour, (050 747 6678). Vietnamese Foodies The family-run restaurant has a selection of outlets across Dubai, meaning you never have far to turn for a good bowl of Pho. Whether it's the slow-simmering 14-hour bone broth or the perfectly caramelised Vit Nuong Hoisin (grilled duck breast), the experience is as much about the theatre of cooking as it is about the food itself. Open Sun-Thu 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Dubai Creek Residences 3, (04 876 0438). Za Za Slice The New York-style pizzeria opened its second restaurant in Dubai Creek Harbour in March 2025, after it's Satwa debut saw hungry diners queueing around the corner to get in. Looking out over the water, there's plenty of indoor and outdoor space to demolish a few slices, with all the usual trusty flavours appearing on the menu. Whether its the stracciatella and hot honey calling your name, or you fancy an entire 14-inch pepperoni to yourself, expect to take on some serious carb-loading here. Open daily 11am-midnight. Dubai Creek Harbour, @zazaslice Hungry for more? These are officially the best restaurants in Dubai for 2025 Tried and tested by us 10 family-friendly Dubai restaurants that kids (and adults) will love Everyone will be happy, trust us 33 of Dubai's best burgers to try in 2025 From double cheese behemoths to meat-free monsters
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Shame' for tourism as three Welsh holiday parks go on the market
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The news that three beloved holiday parks in Wales are on the market has started a discussion among North Wales Live readers, with many voicing their concerns about the implications for local tourism and employment. Amidst a period of uncertainty for the holiday sector, the revelation has prompted a spectrum of responses from community members and frequent visitors. Apprehensions are rife regarding the potential consequences, with some speculating that this could herald broader issues for the Welsh tourism industry. Currently operational in Pembrokeshire, the holiday parks Meadow House, Noble Court, and Croft Court Country Park are up for grabs. Property consultancy Savills, on behalf of administrator Grant Thornton, is now seeking bids for the trio of parks, either collectively or individually. Savills commented: "The parks are a well-established, formerly family-owned businesses operating in the holiday park sector for several decades, providing premium holiday destinations which blend natural beauty with high-quality accommodation and leisure facilities. The businesses maintain strong community ties by using local suppliers and providing employment to the local community." They added: "Over the last 20 years, significant investment has been made to upgrade and expand the Parks, which includes modernising caravan and lodge stock, site infrastructure and enhancing leisure amenities." One commenter, Confusing says: "The way things are being run nowadays it probably not a good time to invest any money. Even if you make a profit they'll probably want to grab it. Well they've got an easy world paid jobs so probably not too bothered. And they're planning to get more of their mates into the same job so they can make a few quid too." PedroD believes: "If you have tourist averse policies from the WA and Councils, then tourist businesses are likely to fold and the jobs in them evaporate. Soon it won't be just 'the valleys' that will need reduced council tax to avoid poverty." HoorahHenry1 writes: "Seen it coming... but the Assembly are blind to reality." LifeboatMan replies: "Oh they knew it was coming too." Prouddabber says: "So it's all coming home to roost. Welsh anti tourists and everything policy is destroying businesses and the economy and jobs." Statistix writes: "Be careful what you wish for. If these parks close, maybe more locals will lose the chance of getting a home if entrepreneurial homeowners turn theirs into Airbnbs to accommodate displaced holidaymakers, and those who own their own caravans look for brick-and-mortar second homes instead." Are you surprised with the news of the sales? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
