It would be hard to find any spot in Wales that is more truly Welsh than the Royal Town of Caernarfon.  Located on the scenic Menai Straits in Gwynedd, North Wales, overlooking the Straits and the Isle of Anglesey, Caernarfon has a long and dramatic history dating from around 80AD when the Romans first established a fort called Segontium.

The Romans held sway for more than 300 years; then, after a relatively brief occupation by the Normans, the English king Edward 1 conquered once again and built his fortress and castle just down the hill from the old Roman fort.

Since that time Caernarfon has evolved from conquered town to its present status as a major tourist centre and county seat of Gwynedd with a small but thriving harbour and marina, whose population includes the largest percentage of Welsh-speaking members anywhere in the country.   It was granted the status of ‘royal town’ in 1974.

The town is dominated today, as it has been for more than seven centuries, by the great castle, (now a World Heritage site) which remains much as it was when construction was halted in the 13^th century.  Caernarfon Castle was never fully completed, but it stands as a fabulous landmark, with a compelling museum and enough historical substance to satisfy the most discriminating explorer.  The castle (and the town) was brought into the world spotlight with the coronation of Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1969.

Caernarfon welcomes visitors with a wealth of different attractions and some of the most spectacular scenery in the U.K.  The Snowdonia Mountains, just a few miles from the town, are perfect for walking or cycle tours, or they can be enjoyed via the newly restored narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway.  The National Watersports Centre is right on Menai Harbour, where diving, dinghy sailing and other exciting activities await, but you’ll need a wetsuit; the water is cold year round.