A guide to visiting Caernarfon Castle

What to expect

Caernarfon Castle is just half an hour’s drive away from our Beddgelert log cabins, making it a great excuse for a day trip to the beautiful coastline! The castle grounds are over 700 years old, really striking and absolutely huge, with breath-taking views out to sea.

If you’re wondering how long to visit Caernarfon Castle, remember there’s also the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum on site, plus a gift shop and café selling local produce too. It’s definitely worth making a day of it by stopping off at nearby attractions — how about a family walk along the stunning Dinas Dinlle beach while you’re in the area? Or a trip to the Pant Du Vineyard and Orchard? There’s also a brilliant climbing centre just down the road, which makes perfect entertainment for rainy days. And don’t forget to treat yourselves to a proper hearty meal in one of Caernarfon’s traditional local pubs!

Caernarfon Castle has family ticket bundle options on offer, and you can get your tickets here.

Caernarfon Castle history facts

We thought we’d share a few Caernarfon Castle facts with you, giving you a taste of its history before you step through the gates yourself. 

King Edward I ordered the castle to be built back in 1283. When you walk around the grounds, you can really start to imagine what it was like to live in the Middle Ages. You can tell Edward was really looking to impress with this one, as Caernarfon Castle is actually the most expensive castle ever built by a king of England (and it took 47 years to complete!).

Looking forward to more recent times, in 1958, King Charles III (the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II) was crowned as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle.

Keen to dive deeper into Caernarfon Castle’s history? If you really want to step back in time, sometimes they hold fun medieval reenactment days there, so it’s worth checking online before your stay. Either way, you’ll learn loads of interesting new things on your visit, and besides…a massive castle like this is something you definitely don’t see every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Caernarfon Castle?

• Caernarfon Castle is on the north-west coast of Wales (just opposite the Isle of Anglesey), in the royal port town of Caernarfon. Bangor is the nearest city, just 8.6 miles north-east along the coast.

What is the Caernarfon Castle parking situation?

• You shouldn’t have any trouble parking in Caernarfon town, as there’s plenty of car parks nearby. If you want to park up right next to the castle, there’s a long stay public car park right next to it, on the waterfront.

Is Caernarfon Castle dog friendly?

• Caernarfon Castle only allows guide dogs on site. 

Who owns Caernarfon Castle?

• Caernarfon Castle is property of the crown, but is managed by Cadw (a Welsh government organisation that helps protect heritage sites).