Venue Description

A brute of a fortress. Caernarfon Castle’s pumped-up appearance is unashamedly muscle-bound and intimidating. Picking a fight with this massive structure would have been a daunting prospect. By throwing his weight around in stone, King Edward I created what is surely one of the most impressive of Wales’s castles. Worthy of World Heritage status no less. Most castles are happy with round towers, not Caernarfon! Polygonal towers were the order of the day, with the Eagle Tower being the most impressive of these. You will also note the colour-coded stones carefully arranged in bands. The site of this great castle wasn’t chosen by accident. It had previously been the location of a Norman motte and bailey castle and before that a Roman fort stood nearby. The lure of water and easy access to the sea made the banks of the River Seiont an ideal spot for Edward’s monster in masonry. Edward wasn’t one to miss an opportunity to tighten his grip even further on the native population. The birth of his son, the first English Prince of Wales, in the castle in 1284, was a perfect device to stamp his supremacy. In 1969, the investiture of the current Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles took place here.

Accessibility

The main entrance to the castle is approached by a pedestrian ramp which leads to the ticket office. From here there is level access into the castle's inner courtyard. Level surfaces ramps and a chairlift allow access to the castle grounds. We regret that there is no wheelchair access to the medieval towers and wall walks. Please note that admission to Caernarfon Castle is free for disabled visitors and carer.

Toilets

Information about the toilets has not been added for this venue.

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.