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Caernarvon Castle

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Caernarvon Castle was one of a number of castles built by Edward the First during his campaigns to subdue Wales at the end of the thirteenth century. Caernarvon was intended less as an impregnable castle and more as an impressive and symbolic seat of power. It has striking hexagonal towers and huge walls built with different coloured bands of stone. Castles have always had a symbolic role to play, ever since Iron Age Castles - such as Maiden Castle - developed in parallel with religious sites - such as Avebury - both using banks and ditches. Caernarvon works more by what it looks like than its actual defensive capabilities. In his youth Edward had been on Crusades, and what he saw on his travels went into his own castles. Castles such as Harlech, represented the peak of functional defensive technology at the time, with features copied from the great crusader castles. Caernarvon represents a different borrowing, a borrowing of symbols. The walls of this castle are designed to echo the walls of Constantinople, to suggest imperial power. Edward the Third, a ruthless, warlike king, understood the power of symbols. He took Scotland's Stone of Destiny, and put it under the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey, so that every English monarch sat on Scotland as they were crowned. There was nothing airy fairy about symbolism. It was about real power. This is the power that Edward sought to express in Caernarvon Castle.

Caernarvon Castle was the birth place of Edward the Second, the first Prince of Wales. The title of Prince of Wales is in itself more symbolism designed to show the Welsh who was boss. Ever since the birth of Edward the Second, the heir to the throne has been granted the title of Prince of Wales at Caernarvon, the investiture of the present Prince of Wales taking place there in 1969.

There are exhibitions and displays in the towers, and information panels. The castle sits in a beautiful position overlooking the river Seiont and the Menai Straits

Opening Times : 1st April to 31st May 9:30am to 5pm daily, 1st June to 30th September 9:30am to 6pm daily, October 9:30am to 5pm daily and from 1st November to 31st March 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm Sunday. The castle is closed 24-26th December and 1st January. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Directions: Caernarvon is off the A487. The castle is off the B4366. There is a car park next to the castle. Click here for an interactive map centred on Caernarvon..

Access: there is a slope from car park to castle, but then a flight of steps up to the entrance. Steps and varied levels inside the castle would be difficult for people with mobility or sight problems. Some of the exhibitions and displays are reached by spiral stair cases. A National Key adapted toilet is situated near the car park.

Contact: 01286 677617