Caernarfon is located on the Menai Strait of north-western Wales and is one of Wales’ popular tourist destinations. The town was established by King Edward I of England in the 13th century at the mouth of the Seiont River with the building of Caernarfon Castle, which today is possibly the most famous castle in Wales!! This building was begun in 1283 to show Edward’s strength and power in Wales and as the final chapter in his conquest of the country. Caernarfon Castle with its impressive bulk was constructed as a military stronghold, a seat of government and as a Royal Palace, with the indisputable power, strength and commanding presence of the building dominating the area.
Caernarfon is the county town of Caernarfonshire and the ceremonial capital of Wales. It is a small town of approximately 10,000 inhabitants and is comprised mostly of solid stone houses with slate roofs dating from Victorian and Edwardian times, and overlooks the Menai Strait to Anglesey Island. The town is overshadowed by its massive castle, the largest and most important castle built by Edward I, the walls of which are approximately one kilometre long and run around the oldest part of the town. The fortress is now little more than an empty shell, but the castle walls, with their polygonal towers and courses of coloured stone, still make an impressive show. One of the most interesting defensive features of the fortress is the continuous system of wall passages around the inner faces of the towers.
The first Prince of Wales, later becoming King Edward II, was born in the castle during 1284, and in 1969 on the grassy wards within the castle walls, Prince Charles was invested here, with the same title of Prince of Wales. The regimental museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, whose history goes back to the 1689, is housed in the Queen’s tower in the castle and it includes relics of the Napoleonic wars, the Crimean War, the Boer War and the two World Wars including eight VCs, other medals, uniforms and swords. ‘Hole in the Wall Street’ lies in the shadow of the town walls and terraces of colour-washed houses line both sides of the narrow street which is the heart of the ancient town. Nearby is Castle Square, a pleasant open space busy with traders and shoppers each market day. Bronze statues of two of Wales’ most famous figures – Lloyd George and Sir Hugh Owen – stand in the square along with a small fountain commemorating the death of several cholera victims. High Street runs through the centre of the town, with West Gate at one end, also known as Golden Gate because of the lovely sunsets which can often be seen over the Menai Straits, and East Gate at the other, although the large tower on this gate had to be removed for safety reasons some time ago. West Gate gives access to the Promenade which follows the seaward length of the town walls, virtually intact here, and provides a pleasant walk.
Other sites, in the town, worthy of mention:
Victoria dock, built during the 1870s as part of a larger development which never materialized, has a small Maritime Museum and, moored alongside, the SS Seiont II, which was purchased in 1980 for restoration.
Anglesey Hotel, the Customs House before 1822 and now a public house, is the last secular building in the town still attached to the castle walls. Next to the hotel is a squat round tower, known as the hanging tower, as it used to be a place of execution.
Slate quay, once busy with cargo ships with their loads of coal and slate, and now alive with fishing and pleasure boats. During the summer months boat trips can be taken from the quay.
Other places of interest within 30 kilometres:
Portmeirion, an extraordinary Italian style retreat and the last home for old unwanted buildings, or parts of them.
Snowdonia National Park, with its numerous walks and climbs to the summit of Mount Snowdon, or if you wish to take the easier option, the railway from Llanberis.
Betws-y-Coed, meaning chapel or sanctuary in the wood, stands at the junction of three rivers and their valleys, is the centre of ideal walking country and considered to be one of the best beauty spots in Wales!!
Anglesey Island, best known as the place where the fiercest stand against the Roman invaders by the Druids was made, is full of interesting surprises with a fine castle at Beaumaris, glorious beaches and sandy coves, stone-walled villages and manor houses.
Bangor, the Cathedral and University city of North Wales.
Did you know that – Northgate Street, called ‘Stryd pedwar a Chwech’ meaning Four and Six Street, dates back to the time when sailors could pay for a hammock for the night for fourpence and an extra sixpence would secure a female companion as well?
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