Caernarfon

(see also: Y Felinheli)

The Castle, Caernarfon

The Royal town of Caernarfon has a superb setting, with the mountains of Snowdonia as a backdrop and wonderful views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey.

Dominated by its majestic castle and ancient mediaeval walls, it was made famous around the world by the investiture there of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969. Begun in 1283 by Edward I, Caernarfon Castle is one of Europe's greatest mediaeval fortresses, and the castle walls, with their bands of coloured stone were modelled on the walls of Constantinople. Inside the Queen's Tower is the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regimental Museum, and there is an audio-visual presentation in the Eagle Tower.

The Roman fort of Segontium overlooking the town is one of the most famous in Britain. It was the most western legionary fort of the Roman Empire and was occupied for nearly 400 years from AD78.

The newest of the narrow gauge trains in Wales, the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) have their terminus near the castle, with trains running to Waunfawr (from July 2000).

Caernarfon has a wide selection of shops in its narrow streets, a mix of High Street names plus small independent shops. A highlight of the year is the Caernarfon Festival in late July featuring a variety of entertainment.

For more information about the town, please visit the official Caernarfon website at www.caernarfon.co.uk

Y Felinheli

Formerly known as Port Dinorwic, a marina and pleasant waterfront make this former slate harbour between Bangor and Caernarfon a popular sailing base.