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Caernarfon Castle

After all these years Caernarfon’s immense strength remains undimmed.

A brute of a fortress. Caernarfon Castle’s pumped-up appearance is unashamedly muscle-bound and intimidating. Picking a fight with this massive structure would have been a daunting prospect. By throwing his weight around in stone, King Edward I created what is surely one of the most impressive of Wales’s castles. Worthy of World Heritage status no less.

Most castles are happy with round towers, not Caernarfon! Polygonal towers were the order of the day, with the Eagle Tower being the most impressive of these. You will also note the colour-coded stones carefully arranged in bands. The site of this great castle wasn’t chosen by accident. It had previously been the location of a Norman motte and bailey castle and before that a Roman fort stood nearby. The lure of water and easy access to the sea made the banks of the River Seiont an ideal spot for Edward’s monster
in masonry.

Edward wasn’t one to miss an opportunity to tighten his grip even further on the native population. The birth of his son, the first English Prince of Wales, in the castle in 1284, was a perfect device to stamp his supremacy. In 1969, the investiture of the current Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles took place here. Caernarfon is one of eight sites chosen by Cadw as a hub for community projects in support of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations
in Wales.

Gallery

Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery castle
Click image to enlarge
Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery castle
Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery courtyard
Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery inside
Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery stairwell
Caernarfon Gallery Caernarfon Gallery tower



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Opening Times

29 March - 30 June
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

1 July - 31 August
Daily 9.30am - 6.00pm

1 September - 31 October
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

1 November - 28 February
Monday to Saturday
10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm

1 March - 31 March
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Prices

Adult - £6.00
Family - £18.00*
Senior citizens, students and
children under 16 - £4.50
Disabled and companion - Am ddim/Free

*Admits 2 adults and all children /grandchildren under 16

Contact

Caernarfon Castle
LL55 2AY
01286 677617
cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Latest Events

27/5/2013
Hand spinning demonstration

6/7/2013
Steam Gala

7/7/2013
Steam Gala

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Wednesday : sunny intervals

Wed 13°C

Thursday : sunny intervals

Thur 9°C

Friday : sunny intervals

Fri 12°C



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