Visitor attractions and information - Caernarfon
|
|
|
|
 Caernarfon
Castle, Caernarfon Tel: 01286 67761. Caernarfon is possibly the
most striking medieval monument in Wales, with its scale and
commanding presence. Its unique polygonal towers, intimidating
battlements and colour-banded walls were designed to echo Constantinople,
the imperial power of Rome. Begun in 1283, its symbolic status
was emphasized when Edward's son , the first English Prince of
Wales, was born here in 1284. In 1969, the castle was the setting
for the Investiture of HRH Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. Location:
In the centre of Caernarfon. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HN.
Tel: 01248 353084. 19th-century fantasy castle with spectacular
contents and grounds. Magnificent views over Snowdonia, a unique
furniture collection and the best private art collection, in
context, in Wales. Large gardens and grounds with formal Victorian
walled garden, Dolls museum, extensive Victorian kitchens, railway
museum and adventure playground. National Trust. Charges apply.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk. About
9 miles northeast of Caernarfon. |
|
|
|
|
|
Cochwillan
Old Hall, Tal-y-Bont, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 3AZ. Tel: 01248 355
853. The hall is considered one of the best examples of a Welsh
medieval estate centre and it survives almost unaltered. The
most striking feature of the late 15th century hall house is
the roof of three bays, divided by trusses of hammer-beam type.
The moulded hammer-beams have embattled crests and plain ends
with pinholes in them; as these probably originally carried carved
heads or heraldic shields, new shields have been fitted to harmonize
with the ancestry of the old families of Cochwillan. About 9 miles
northeast of Caernarfon. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Segontium Roman fort and museum, Llanbeblig
Road, Caernarfon LL55 2LN. Tel : 01286 675625. The Segontium
Roman fort was an auxiliary fort built by the Romans when they
spread their conquest of Britain into Wales, and dates back to
77 AD.The museum tells the story of the conquest and occupation
of Wales and contains fine examples of the finds excavated from
the Segontium site. www.nmgw.ac.uk. Location: In the centre of Caernarfon. |
 |
|
|
|
|
The
Llanberis Lake Railway, Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.
LL55 4TY. Tel: 01286 870549. The Llanberis Lake Railway offers
unrivalled views of the mountains of Snowdonia from viewpoints
quite inaccessible by road, all for a modest price. Starting
at Gilfach Ddu station in the Padarn Country Park, the trip begins
with a ride on the recently opened extension up to Llanberis
Village, passing the Welsh Slate Museum and historic Dolbadarn
Castle on the way. www.lake-railway.co.uk.
About 6 miles east of
Caernarfon. |
 |
|
|
|
|
ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN (VISITOR CENTRE) LLANBERIS,
Dinorwig Power Station, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY. Tel: 01286
870166. Set against a magnificent backdrop of the towering mountains
and the magnificent scenery of Snowdonia, Electric Mountain is
First Hydro Company's Visitor centre in Llanberis. Its split
level layout contains a gift shop and café and is the
starting point for the tour of Dinorwig Power Station. www.fhc.co.uk.
About 6 miles east of
Caernarfon. |
 |
|
|
|
|
National
Slate Museum, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4TY. Tel: 01286 870630.
The National Slate Museum at Llanberis invested a £1.6
million lottery grant into bringing back to life the inheritance
of the north Wales slate industry, which roofed the industrial
revolution. The Museum building is sited in the Victorian workshops
built in the shadow of Elidir mountain, site of the vast Dinorwig
quarry. About
8 miles east of Caernarfon. |
|
|
|
|
|
Caernarfon hotels |
|
