Our Walled Towns

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Caernarfon

Let’s talk about castles. The one at Caernarfon is a bit different from Edward I’s other castles. Just like any self respecting medieval fortress it’s got murder holes, portcullises and a moat. But this one has limestone and sandstone banding and polygonal towers, too. A nod to Constantinople’s style of the day. Ever the keen Crusader, Edward.

The building work started in 1283. And the first English Prince of Wales was born here in 1284. It stands at the spot where the River Seiont meets the Menai Strait. English romantic ‘painter of light’, Joseph Mallord William Turner (JMW to his friends) liked it so much he painted it in 1798. Then again in 1800. And again in 1832.

Take a tour of the castle to find the regimental museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In 2001, dance sequences for Bollywood movie ‘Kasam Se’ were filmed inside the castle walls. Yes, that’s right, a Bollywood movie. And outside the castle walls, look out for the old railway tunnel. It’s where the BBC filmed the Casualty and Holby City Christmas special 2005.

Hop aboard the The Welsh Highland Railway. The most powerful 2’ gauge steam locomotive in the world. Or walk around under your own steam to discover a small place with a big identity. And more Welsh speakers than anywhere else in Wales.

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After a tour of the town march your legions to the Segontium Roman Fort. It dates back to 77 AD and is one of the UK’s most popular Roman sites. It once held a regiment of 1,000 auxiliary soldiers. So it’s big. Big enough to fit Caernarfon Castle inside, as it happens.

The theatre at Galeri is big enough to seat about 400. It’s where you can see great works of art and film. It was opened in 2005 by Caernarfon’s other big attraction, Bryn Terfel. Singing music by Mozart, Wagner, Puccini and Verdi, he’s appeared at the world’s major opera houses. But he’s just as happy performing at home. His annual Faenol Festival is now in its 8th year. Where the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Jools Holland and Westlife play, to a crowd of thousands in the great outdoors.

We’ve plenty of other ways to enjoy our great outdoors. Snowdonia is perfect for mountain biking. After you’ve climbed the Dragon’s Back and tamed The Beast you’ll be just about ready to navigate Seiont Manor’s 40 foot Victorian Pool. Perfect for soaking. And you can get a good soaking at Swallow Falls, too. This waterfall on the River Llugwy is best seen after heavy rain.

Or head to our famous mountains. Snowdon is the highest one in England and Wales. You can conquer it on foot. Or take the train. The Snowdon Mountain Railway has been making the ascent for over 100 years. Or visit an Electric Mountain. Deep inside Elidir, Europe’s biggest man-made cavern houses some of the worlds most powerful hydro-generators.

There’s more to see above ground, too. The Llŷn Peninsula has just celebrated its 50th anniversary as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s where they hold Wakestock. It’s a wakeboard and a music festival all rolled into one, with amateur and pro competitions followed by live music ‘till the small hours. It all takes place near award-winning beaches at Abersoch.

The Llŷn’s other award-winning shores include a drive-on beach at Black Rock Sands. And a big sandy one at Dinas Dinlle, just next to the Caernarfon Airworld, where you can hop on a plane and see a completely different side to Caernarfon.