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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.

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, along with a 1930s steam dredger Seiont II, a popular quayside visitor attraction, moored on Victoria Dock.

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.

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.