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It's a regal sort of place, Caernarfon.
It has an innate majesty and stateliness about it. And that's not all to do with the fact that this is the town which saw the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales back in 1969.
No, it's dignified demeanour dates back much further than Britain's current Royal lineage. Caernarfon has survived battles aplenty to emerge with its giant castle still standing and its pride in tact.
The town's Castle Square was built on the site of an 11th century Norman fortification and in Roman times it was a place of immense strategic importance. The garrison of the 20th Augustan legion once stood guard on the outskirts of Caernarfon and the foundations of their camp, at Segontium Roman Fort can still be seen.
A museum and information centre (tel: 01286 675625) offers a fascinating insight into those warrior days. No wonder Edward I chose to build the largest of his Welsh castles here, starting the amazing construction almost 20 years before the end of the 13th century and not finishing until long after the dawn of the 14th century.
It took 43 years in all. A chequered history saw it fought over many times, including two failed attempts by Owain Glyndwr to take it over, before parts of it were ultimately demolished in the 17th century.
Luckily for Caernarfon and visitors today the demolition squad did not finish the job. The magnificent outside walls remain, along with three impressive towers, which together paint a dramatic picture across the Caernarfon skyline.
Much as Edward I intended, it has an immediate visual impact on first time explorers to this area, well suited to a town which has long been a major administrative centre of North Wales, a tax centre, justice centre and a stronghold of the Welsh language.
The 2001 census revealed more Welsh speakers living in Caernarfon than any other area in the country. It was also once in the running to be Capital of Wales, such has been the extent of its significance over generations.
Things To See
Caernarfon is today the home of Gwynedd County Council headquarters and the town is a thriving commercial centre. The port which enjoyed a prosperity boom through the 19th century slate trade, is now home to the Welsh Yacht Club.
There's a Maritime Museum (tel: 01286 752083) to be found here, a popular quayside visitor attraction.
Other stop off points for tourists include the Black Boy Inn, dating back to 1522, St Mary's Church which dates back even further to 1307, and the Regimental Museum ( tel: 01286 673362) where military history buffs can get a detailed account of the town's links with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Accommodation-wise there are campsites , self-catering cottages and hotels . Caernarfon boasts an airport and a train station, which includes the northern terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway, while an array of interesting buildings include Georgian houses, slate cottages, waterside inns and crowded cafes.
Ancient markets complement 21st century shopping centres just as the town's historic past complements its modern day outlook.
Doc Fictoria is set alongside the harbour, looking out over the scenic Menai Straits and the Isle of Anglesey, and is within walking distance of the bustling town centre and all its amenities.
Along with the Celtica Retail Centre, you'll find a 49 bedroom Premier Inn and Yr Harbwr Pub & Table Table restaurant.
A Cantonese Restaurant is due to open August 2008, and further new and exciting restaurants, retail outlets, plus a 59 bedroom Travelodge are being developed during this year.
There' everything you need for a full day out!
Galeri is a brand new £7.5m Creative Enterprise Centre located in Caernarfon’s Victoria Dock area.
It houses a flexible 400-seat theatre/cinema, café bar, arts exhibition area, state of the art conference facilities, rooms for hire, 2 large practice and performance studios and 3 smaller studios and 27 workspace units, which are occupied by 16 creative resident companies.
There's a sense of purposefulness in Caernarfon, a willingness to take on new challenges which runs deep through the town and adds to its magisterial appeal.
How To Get There
Road
Caernarfon is 9 miles down the coast from Bangor. If you are on the A55 come off at J9 and stay on the A487.
It is possible to go through Felinheli, about halfway between the two towns, which has pubs and fish & chip shops near the seafront.
If you are visiting Snowdon or nearby Llanberis then you simply stay on the A4086, which takes you right into Caernarfon.
Rail
The nearest mainline train station is at Bangor, 9 miles away.
There are regular bus services from the train station to Caeranrfon, and the Lon Las Menai cycle track between Felinheli and Caernarfon.
The Welsh Highland Railway currently goes from Caernarfon to the foot of Snowdon.
By 2009 the track should join up with the WHR line at Porthmadog.
Bus
Gwynedd council host timetables on their site here.
Taxi
Clive's Taxis
Noddfa, Upper Llandwrog, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7BB
Tel: 01286 882515
Robs Taxis
3, Victoria Rd, Penygroes, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 6HD
Tel: 01286 882111
Caernarfon Taxi Service
11, Victoria Rd, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 2RN
Tel: 07880 847540
Gwyn Fors Private Hire
15, Maes Castell, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 6DE
Tel: 01286 880934
Chubbs Cabs Ltd
Cibyn Industrial Estate, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 2BD
Tel: 01286 674000
Al's Cabs
Garnedd Farm, Deiniolen, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3ED
Tel: 01286 872576
Mark's Taxis Caernarfon
10, New St, Deiniolen, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3LH
Tel: 07847 944178
Robyn's Taxi
42, William St, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1ND
Tel: 01286 676499
Taxi Refail
29, Goodman St, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4HL
Tel: 01286 870989
