CAERNARFON, GWYNEDD, NORTH WALES

        Caernarfon (or "Caernarvon") Castle—was built (1283–1330) on the orders of English King Edward I as part of a great chain of castles along the northwestern coast of Wales. The great fortress at Caernarfon did not serve to protect the Welsh but to remind them of the power of the English Crown, and to dissuade the conquered—or at least contained—Welsh princes from further rebellion. Ironically, Edward I’s son was declared "Prince of Wales" himself at Caernarfon Castle, a title later identified with the Crown Princes of England.

CAERNARFON CASTLE
photo © Home at First

        Caernarfon Castle still dominates the town that grew up around it like it used to dominate the Welsh. Oddly, Caernarfon town is one of the most Welsh of places. Welsh Gaelic—not long ago considered likely to be a dead language within a couple of generations—is alive and well here. Now visitors are more likely to hear the unusual Gaelic language spoken among locals—even teenagers—than English.

        Edward I had it right—Caernarfon was a gateway town, and its suppression helped England suppress Wales. Caernarfon Castle once "protected" the English garrison and their Welsh subjects from Celtic raiders from the peninsular and island territories, from the sea, and, most prominently, from the mountainous wilds of Snowdonia. Today, Caernarfon remains a gateway town, but as one that welcomes invading English and other foreigners to the beautiful northwest coast of Wales, the neighboring Lleyn Peninsula and Anglesey Island, and—most importantly—to the impressive Snowdonia National Park.

        Caernarfon has seen battle, and—for a brief time in 1294 when it was overrun and partially burned by Welsh nationalists, and in 1646 when it surrendered to Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War—has proven vulnerable to attack. The great edifice—Caernarfon has all the classic features of a medieval fortress—never gained the importance King Edward I imagined for it in 1284, when his son and successor (Edward II) was born there and named first English Prince of Wales. Instead, Caernarfon was allowed to fall into a dilapidated state until the twentieth century. In 1911, the future King Edward VIII (better known to history as the Duke of Windsor after abdicating the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936) became the first British Prince of Wales to be invested at Caernarfon Castle in over 600 years. The current Crown Prince, Charles, son of Queen Elizabeth II, was also invested Prince of Wales upon turning 21 years old in 1969 in an elaborate ceremony in the castle, the walls of which had been largely restored.

        While it is possible for visitors to imagine life in the castle, Caernarfon’s apartments and interiors remain unfurnished except for several interesting displays and exhibitions, especially the military Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (currently closed due to emergency repairs). A visit to the castle isn’t complete without a walk along the extended town walls (with 8 towers) and through the old town, which provides a better appreciation for old Longshanks’ original design concept from the 13th century.

        Along with 3 other castles built by Edward I to fortify North Wales (Conwy, Beaumaris, and Harlech), Caernarfon has been listed as a World Heritage Site by an agency of the United Nations.

CAERNARFON CASTLE–
WORLD HERITAGE SITE

        Caernarfon Castle is within easy day-trip range of Home at First’s cottages in SNOWDONIA (60 minutes to the west).

        The castle is at the harborside of Caernarfon's old town center. The castle towers are visible as you enter the town. Caernarfon has other attractions, too. The Welsh Highland Railway (one of the Great Little Trains of Wales) has its northern terminus just southwest of the castle. Caernarfon's Segontium museum (and the site of Roman fort that was garrisoned for 400 years) is about one mile from the town on the A4085, the road to Beddgelert.

        Caernarfon Castle is operated by CADW Welsh Historic Monuments, an agency of the Welsh government.

OPENING TIMES: Caernarfon Castle is open:
   April—May: 9:30AM - 5PM daily
   June—September: 9:30AM - 6PM daily
   October: 9:30AM - 5PM daily
   November—March: 9:30AM - 4PM Mo–Sa; 11AM - 4PM Sunday

ADMISSION is £4.75/adults; £3.75/children (6–16), seniors (over 59), & students (over 16 with ID); £13.25/families (up to 2 adults + 3 children).

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