Caernarfon is Edward I’s most ambitious colonial project in Wales: a walled town and a castle conceived together from 1283 as the administrative centre of English-controlled north Wales. It is also, centuries later, a living Welsh-language town, its streets inside the medieval walls home to Welsh-speaking families, independent shops and a vibrant local culture that has thoroughly outlasted the colonial project that built its walls. This is Experience #40 of the Snowdonia 100.
Walking the Walls
The circuit of Caernarfon’s town walls is roughly 800 metres, an easy walk of 30 to 45 minutes around and through the medieval town, with the castle and the Menai Strait never far away. The walls are among the best-preserved medieval town defences in Britain, with their towers and gateways largely intact. For safety reasons Cadw does not currently allow access onto the walls themselves, so this is a walk around and beneath them.
| Castle | Cadw, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Town walls | Walk the circuit around and through the gates; check Cadw for wall-walk access |
| Market | Regular market in Y Maes, the main square |
| Language | Strongly Welsh-speaking, with a thriving Welsh-language creative scene |
The Town Today
The street plan within the walls is essentially medieval, a grid of narrow streets with the castle dominating the waterfront and the quay beyond. Welsh is the everyday language of the town. The contrast between the castle’s military English origins and the Welsh-speaking community that now inhabits the walls is Caernarfon’s defining characteristic: a medieval English fortress town that has become a stronghold of Welsh culture.
Plan Your Visit
Cadw describes the walls as running for almost half a mile, almost complete, with eight towers and two gateways. The East Gate, Porth Mawr, was the main landward entrance; the West or Water Gate could only be reached from the sea in the 13th century. Some of the best-preserved stretches are just north of the East Gate. The walls are free to view from outside, all year, during reasonable daylight hours. On certain days in the main season Cadw has arranged for the Porth Mawr tower to be opened by key from a shop in the town; check the Cadw website for current details.
Caernarfon is the northern terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway, which runs through the mountains to Beddgelert and Porthmadog. Sherpa’r Wyddfa buses link the town with Llanberis, Pen-y-Pass and Beddgelert.
Good to Know
- The castle is run by Cadw and is part of the World Heritage Site that also covers Harlech, Conwy and Beaumaris; there is a charge to enter.
- The streets inside the walls are narrow, so keep an eye out for traffic as you walk.
- For atmosphere, walk the quay and Hole in the Wall Street, as Cadw suggests.
- Have a go in Welsh: a simple diolch (thank you) is always welcome.
Nearby
- A Taste of Caernarfon (Experience #59)
- Harlech Castle (Experience #41): another of Edward I’s World Heritage castles
- Hear Welsh Spoken Every Day (Experience #77)
- Caernarfon town guide
FAQ
Can you walk on Caernarfon’s town walls?
Not at present. Cadw says access onto the walls is not currently possible for safety reasons, but you can walk the full circuit around and through them.
How long does the walk around the walls take?
Around 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace, longer if you stop on the quay or in Y Maes.
Experience #40 of 100, Villages and Towns category. See the full Caernarfon guide.