Where the river Seiont enters the Menai Straits in North Wales lies the ancient town of Caernarfon. This special place was a favourite of Celtic Princes and Roman Emperors.

The town was famously fortified by King Edward I and was represented by Lloyd-George, the fiery Welsh Prime Minister of Britain during the First World War.

Visit today and you’ll touch that history in the ancient walled town and in the castle. But you’ll also discover that Caernarfon is much more!

Explore the town and you’ll discover that it truly is the Celtic Heart of Wales. You’ll find a warm Welsh welcome in shops full of traditional products.

In the wide variety of eating places, you can sample fare made from the freshest local ingredients.

Everywhere you’ll hear the lilt of Welsh being spoken. Today this ancient Celtic language thrives across the whole county of Gwynedd.

Castle Mighty Caernarfon Castle, built in the 13th century by Edward I as a royal palace and military fortress, was the centrepiece of a medieval walled town. The castle, still in pristine condition, retains its original air of authority

Segontium

The Romans left their mark here too – 1,000 years earlier they built their fort of Segontium on the hill above. A museum on site explains the significance of this outpost of Empire.

Doc Fictoria

The waterside Doc Fictoria is home to the new Celtica Retail Centre shopping experience and Plas Menai National Watersports Centre is close by.

Local Attractions Other local attractions include the Welsh Highland Railway (extended to Porthmadog in 2009), Maritime Museum, Galeri (arts complex with theatre and cinema), Hwylfan Fun Centre, Redline Indoor Karting, and Menai Strait Pleasure Cruises, which offer spectacular views of the castle, mountains and Anglesey