Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle dominates a peninsula in northwest Wales where the River Seiont meets the Menai Strait. Edward I began replacing an earlier Norman motte-and-bailey with the current stone fortress in 1283, completing it by around 1330 at a cost of £20,000–£25,000 — exceeding his expenditure on both Dover Castle and Château Gaillard. Designed by master military architect James of Saint George, it features distinctive polygonal towers, banded stone walls, and the great Eagle Tower. It served as the administrative capital of English-ruled north Wales, and Edward II — who became the first English-born Prince of Wales in 1301 — was reportedly born here in 1284.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, it is managed by Cadw.
Visitor information
- Location
- Caernarfon, Wales
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Tier
- C (Worth a visit if you're already in the area)
- Coordinates
- 53.1393, -4.2769
- Official site
- http://cadw.gov.wales/splash?orig=/daysout/caernarfon-castle
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Caernarfon Castle?
- Caernarfon Castle is in Caernarfon, Wales, United Kingdom (approximately 53.1393, -4.2769).
- Can you visit Caernarfon Castle?
- Yes — Caernarfon Castle is open to visitors; see the official site at http://cadw.gov.wales/splash?orig=/daysout/caernarfon-castle for hours and tickets.
- What tier is Caernarfon Castle on the Castle Atlas?
- Caernarfon Castle is rated C tier on the Castle Atlas — Worth a visit if you're already in the area.
- What can you see at Caernarfon Castle?
- Caernarfon Castle dominates a peninsula in northwest Wales where the River Seiont meets the Menai Strait. Edward I began replacing an earlier Norman motte-and-bailey with the current stone fortress in 1283, completing it by around 1330 at a cost of £20,000–£25,000 — exceeding his expenditure on both Dover Castle and Château Gaillard. Designed by master military architect James of Saint George, it features distinctive polygonal towers, banded stone walls, and the great Eagle Tower. It served as the administrative capital of English-ruled north Wales, and Edward II — who became the first English-born Prince of Wales in 1301 — was reportedly born here in 1284.
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