Caernarfon

United_Kingdom

Caernarfon castle

Caernarfon is a Royal town in Gwynedd, North-West Wales. Caernarfon is famous for its breathtaking castle and as a stronghold of the Welsh language. The castle and fortified complex is recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. It is one of the best places in the world to hear a living Celtic language, with over 80% of the local population speaking Welsh.

Caernarfon provides an good base for visiting other places of interest in North Wales. A few miles’ drive from Caernarfon is Snowdonia National Park which plays host to the highest mountain in Wales, and Anglesey, home of Beaumaris Castle, the last and largest of the castles to be built by King Edward I in Wales.

Other nearby places worth visiting include: Conwy, Llandudno, the Isle of Anglesey, Bangor, and the castle at Harlech.

Opposite the castle, the Caernarfon Tourist Information Centre, Oriel Pendeitsh, Castle St, +44 1286 672232., makes a great port of call, offering free local advice for getting the most out of a visit to Caernarfon and its surrounding areas.

Opposite the castle, the Caernarfon Tourist Information Centre, Oriel Pendeitsh, Castle St, +44 1286 672232., makes a great port of call, offering free local advice for getting the most out of a visit to Caernarfon and its surrounding areas.

  • Caernarfon Castle, Castle Ditch, LL55 2AY, +44 1286 677617. opens 0930 (except Su in winter 1100), closes 1600 winter, 1700 spring / autumn, 1800 summer, last admission half an hour before closing, closed 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan. (Welsh: Castell Caernarfon). An impressive work began in 1283 by England's King Edward I as his planned seat of power in his attempt to subjugate Wales. Like Beaumaris, this castle was quite functional, although never 100% completed. admission £4.90, concessions £4.50, family £15.
  • Black Boy Inn, Northgate Street, LL55 1RW, +44 1286 673604. Thought to date back to 1522, it is one of the oldest inns in North Wales. Located in Northgate Street - or 'Stryd Pedwar a Chwech' ('Four and Six Street') in Welsh, it is within the medieval town walls, with low-slung black beamed ceilings and walls of up to one and a half metres thick. The Inn is steeped in history, with four Inn signs each showing a 'black buoy' on one side and a 'black boy' on the other.
  • Doc Fictoria. Set alongside the beautiful harbour of Caernarfon, it includes a creative arts centre, a minute or two by foot from the town walls. It has a bar, cafe and restaurant, art exhibition, hosts concerts, films and events and is packed with small arty companies.
  • Segontium, +44 1286 675625. Site of a historic Roman fort founded by Agricola around 77 AD.

Caernarfon Castle, Castle Ditch, LL55 2AY, +44 1286 677617. opens 0930 (except Su in winter 1100), closes 1600 winter, 1700 spring / autumn, 1800 summer, last admission half an hour before closing, closed 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan. (Welsh: Castell Caernarfon). An impressive work began in 1283 by England's King Edward I as his planned seat of power in his attempt to subjugate Wales. Like [[Beaumaris]], this castle was quite functional, although never 100% completed. admission £4.90, concessions £4.50, family £15.

Black Boy Inn, Northgate Street, LL55 1RW, +44 1286 673604. Thought to date back to 1522, it is one of the oldest inns in North Wales. Located in Northgate Street - or 'Stryd Pedwar a Chwech' ('Four and Six Street') in Welsh, it is within the medieval town walls, with low-slung black beamed ceilings and walls of up to one and a half metres thick. The Inn is steeped in history, with four Inn signs each showing a 'black buoy' on one side and a 'black boy' on the other.

Doc Fictoria. Set alongside the beautiful harbour of Caernarfon, it includes a creative arts centre, a minute or two by foot from the town walls. It has a bar, cafe and restaurant, art exhibition, hosts concerts, films and events and is packed with small arty companies.

Segontium, +44 1286 675625. Site of a historic Roman fort founded by Agricola around 77 AD.

  • Welsh Highland Railway, St Helens Road, LL55 2YD, +44 1766 516024. Caernarfon's the starting point for the Welsh Highland Railway, offering a journey on one of the world's most powerful 2' gauge steam locomotives through the fabulous scenery of the Snowdonia National Park and onward to Porthmadog.
  • Menai Strait Cruises. Boat cruises from Caernarfon Harbour down the picturesque Menai strait.
  • Walk around the mainly traffic-free streets of the walled town and along the Menai Straits. Guided tours are also available throughout the year by the North Wales Tour Guide Association.
  • Cycle along the traffic-free routes along the Menai and South almost to Cricieth. Bikes can be hired in Caernarfon from Beics Menai.
  • Gypsy Wood Park. An outdoor attraction well worth a visit on a sunny day. It is a relaxing attraction, with the UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway and a great family day out for children who love animals.
  • Redline Indoor Karting, +44 1286 669515. A purpose built indoor karting track, popular with locals and tourists alike. The perfect option for all weather family fun. Viewing Area Refreshments. Cibyn Industrial Estate. Llanberis Road. Sat Nav LL55 2BD
  • Welsh Language - Caernarfon is probably the best place to see, hear and speak the Welsh language. Over 80% of the population speak Welsh, so it is an ideal place to practice a few sentences or just to soak up the authentic Celtic heritage.
  • Learn Welsh on a residential course at the Nant Gwrtheyrn Language and Heritage Centre, situated in a spectacular coastal location around half an hour's drive from Caernarfon.
  • Caernarfon Golf Club. Great place if you fancy a few rounds, with very reasonable green fees.

Welsh Highland Railway, St Helens Road, LL55 2YD, +44 1766 516024. Caernarfon's the starting point for the Welsh Highland Railway, offering a journey on one of the world's most powerful 2' gauge steam locomotives through the fabulous scenery of the Snowdonia National Park and onward to [[Porthmadog]].

Menai Strait Cruises. Boat cruises from Caernarfon Harbour down the picturesque Menai strait.

Walk around the mainly traffic-free streets of the walled town and along the Menai Straits. Guided tours are also available throughout the year by the North Wales Tour Guide Association.

Cycle along the traffic-free routes along the Menai and South almost to Cricieth. Bikes can be hired in Caernarfon from Beics Menai.

Gypsy Wood Park. An outdoor attraction well worth a visit on a sunny day. It is a relaxing attraction, with the UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway and a great family day out for children who love animals.

Redline Indoor Karting, +44 1286 669515. A purpose built indoor karting track, popular with locals and tourists alike. The perfect option for all weather family fun. Viewing Area Refreshments. Cibyn Industrial Estate. Llanberis Road. Sat Nav LL55 2BD

Welsh Language - Caernarfon is probably the best place to see, hear and speak the Welsh language. Over 80% of the population speak Welsh, so it is an ideal place to practice a few sentences or just to soak up the authentic Celtic heritage.

Learn Welsh on a residential course at the Nant Gwrtheyrn Language and Heritage Centre, situated in a spectacular coastal location around half an hour's drive from Caernarfon.

Caernarfon Golf Club. Great place if you fancy a few rounds, with very reasonable green fees.

Caernarfon has some nice independent shops in the pleasant streets of the walled town. Palas Print sells books, music and coffee, with a good Welsh language selection.

There is also a nice small clothes and accessories shop. Na Nog on the square is an option for presents with a local flavour, like children's clothing with a Welsh theme. For a larger choice of shops, head to Bangor, Llandudno or perhaps Conwy.

There are a decent number of places to eat within and around the old town walls, in particular the small streets nestled along the western town wall. There are also a few places on the town square. Serving hours can be odd, and without good planning you could end up hungry. However there are still places which serve food all day, including the Black Boy Inn and Anglesey Arms.

  • Black Boy Inn - Popular with both locals and tourists. It has a great locally sourced menu.
  • Anglesey Arms - Great setting on sunny day, with good hearty food and stunning views of the Menai straights.
  • Y Castell - Hotel on Y Maes (town square) formerly known as 'the Castle', refurbished and serving excellent food all day and evenings.
  • Ouzo and Olive, 14 hole in the wall street (by the castle in Caernarfon. 6:30PM-9PM. This is a very nice Greek restaurant. Very peaceful and relaxing. Open all year round.

Cafes in Caernarfon include:

  • Crempogau-Just Pancakes - friendly service, offering the best pancakes in town!

Takeaways in Caernarfon include:

  • Bella Pizza Offering good, reasonably priced pizzas just down the road from the Celtic Royal. Vaguely friendly service.
  • Lee's One of the best Chinese takeaways in Caernarfon.

Black Boy Inn - Popular with both locals and tourists. It has a great locally sourced menu.

Anglesey Arms - Great setting on sunny day, with good hearty food and stunning views of the Menai straights.

Y Castell - Hotel on Y Maes (town square) formerly known as 'the Castle', refurbished and serving excellent food all day and evenings.

Ouzo and Olive, 14 hole in the wall street (by the castle in Caernarfon. 6:30PM-9PM. This is a very nice Greek restaurant. Very peaceful and relaxing. Open all year round.

Crempogau-Just Pancakes - friendly service, offering the best pancakes in town!

Bella Pizza Offering good, reasonably priced pizzas just down the road from the Celtic Royal. Vaguely friendly service.

Lee's One of the best Chinese takeaways in Caernarfon.

Drinking is a popular option for nights in Caernarfon. There is a decent selection of small pubs in and around the walls.

A number of World Heritage Sites and stunning castle towns lie less than a few miles drive away from Caernarfon, making it a great base for exploring North Wales: