Things to do in Caernarfon
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Caernarfon Castle
Majestic Caernarfon Castle was built between 1283 and 1330 as a military stronghold, a seat of government and a royal palace. Inspired by the dream of Macsen Wledig recounted in the Mabinogion, Caernarfon echoes the 5th-century walls of Constantinople, with colour-banded masonry and polygonal towers, instead of the traditional round towers and turrets.
Despite its fairytale aspect it is thoroughly fortified. It repelled Owain Glyndŵr's army in 1404 with a garrison of only 28 men, and resisted three sieges during the Civil War before surrendering to Cromwell's army in 1646.
A year after the construction of the building was begun, Edward I's second son was born here, becomin…
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Welsh Highland Railway
The narrow-gauge Welsh Highland Railway, the sister service to the Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway, is an amalgamation of several late-19th-century railways used for carrying slate. The line opened for passenger traffic in 1923 but closed just 14 years later.
It was saved by volunteers and reopened as a tourist attraction in 1997, currently running to Rhyd Ddu, from where several trails lead up Snowdon, making the train a major link for walkers. Extensions to the network to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog are planned for completion by 2009 for links to Snowdonia National Park.
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Segontium Roman Fort
Just east of the centre, these excavated foundations represent the westernmost Roman legionary fort of the Roman Empire. Overlooking the Menai Strait, the fort dates back to AD 77, when the conquest of Wales was completed by capturing the Isle of Anglesey. It was designed to accommodate a force of up to 1000 infantrymen, and coins recovered from the site indicate that it was an active garrison until AD 394 – a reflection of its crucial strategic position.
The on-site museum explains the background to the stark remains, although it's not always open as it's staffed by volunteers. The site is located about half a mile along the A4085 (to Beddgelert), which crosses through …
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Plas Menai, The National Watersports Centre
The excellent Plas Menai, The National Watersports Centre, 3 miles out along the A487 towards Bangor, offers a year-round range of water-based courses for all interests and ability levels - from sailing to power-boating, plus multi-activity courses suitable for families and youth groups. Advance reservations are mandatory. The centre also offers on-site accommodation with en-suite B&B (rooms around £30) and a bunkhouse (dorms £20).
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Cycle Routes
The tourist office has a brochure-map of Gwynedd recreational cycle routes, established by Gwynedd Council along disused railway lines. Three of these are based around Caernarfon: the 12-mile Lôn Eifion running south to Bryncir (starting near the Welsh Highland Railway station); the 4.5-mile Lôn Las Menai along the Menai Strait to the village of Y Felinheli; and the 4-mile Lôn Gwyfrai to the village of Waunfawr.
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Café Macsen
A simple but airy café with marble tables, it offers the stock-in-trade all-day breakfasts and sandwiches, as well as some reliable mains. While the food may be simple, the place is cleaner and friendlier than other cafés in the block.
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Menai Ventures
For something with more of an adrenaline kick, Menai Ventures offers one-hour RIB (rigid inflatable boat) rides and arranges water sports activities for groups - enquire for details. All activities depend on current tidal conditions.
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Anglesey Arms
For a pint, the Anglesey Arms down by the water is your best bet, especially with outside seating in summer offering a great harbour view for a sundowner. The owners also run a floating restaurant in summer in the harbour.
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Black Boy Inn
This 15th-century inn, rammed with original features and divided into a series of snug, small rooms, has good bar meals - try the farmhouse basket for a hearty lunch. The hotel also offers B&B accommodation.
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Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
In the Queen's Tower (named after Edward I's wife Eleanor) is the vivid Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; poets Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon both served in the brigade.
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Galeri Caernarfon
This excellent multipurpose arts centre hosts exhibitions, theatre, film and events; check the program online for details. The stylish in-house DOC Cafe Bar serves all-day snacks and pre-event suppers.
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Stones Bistro
Housed in what was a 17th-century temperance house, this dark but cosy French-style bistro is open for dinner and Sunday lunch, with specialty roast lamb and some decent options for vegetarians.
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Parc Glynllifon Craft Centre
Inside the tourist office, the Pendeitsh Gallery showcases crafts from the Parc Glynllifon craft centre, located 6 miles southwest of Caernarfon on the A499.
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Molly's Restaurant
The owners of the original Molly's have now opened Molly's restaurant, a more formal spot for dinner. It specialises in creative recipes using local fish.
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Y Tebot Bach
The nicest of the many tearooms around the castle, this tiny place for a light bite has a cosy, living-room feel, homemade cakes and sandwiches.
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Queen of the Sea
The pleasure boat Queen of the Sea offers five daily, 40-minute tours up and down the Menai Strait from Slate Quay, beside the castle.
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Na-Nôg
This little music, DVD and book shop is devoted to Welsh-language material for culture vultures keen to explore material in Welsh.
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Spar Supermarket
There's a Spar supermarket; a farmers market sprawls across Castle Sq every Saturday and, in summer, on Monday too.
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DOC café bar
The DOC café bar, located inside the Galeri Caernarfon, has day-round snacks and pre-event suppers.
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Beics Menai
Hires bikes (including tandems, children's bikes and child seats) and can advise on local cycle routes. Recreational cycle routes include the 12.5-mile Lôn Eifion (starting near the Welsh Highland Railway station and running south to Bryncir) and the 4.5-mile Lôn Las Menai (following the Menai Strait to the village of Y Felinheli).
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Y Pantri Cymraeg
A tiny deli with supplies of Welsh wines and chocolate, plus other local specialities.
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Plas Menai
The excellent National Watersports Centre, 3 miles out along the A487 towards Bangor, offers a year-round range of water-based courses for all interests and ability levels (sailing, power-boating, kayaking, windsurfing) plus multi-activity courses suitable for families and youth groups. Advance reservations are necessary. The centre also offers B&B accommodation (singles/doubles £45/70) and a bunkhouse (dorms £25). Bus 1A (Caernarfon to Bangor) stops here.
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GreenWood Forest Park
This 7-hectare adventure park with a slew of rides and activities is underpinned by a strong green ethos. Grab a ride on the Green Dragon, the world's first people-powered roller coaster. It's signposted from the A487 near Y Felinheli, 4 miles northeast of Caernarfon.
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Castell
Caernarfon's chicest bar looks on to Castle Sq from behind its grand facade. Inside it's all black furniture and pink trim – which isn't anywhere near as much of a 1980s nightmare as it sounds. Drop in for soup or a sandwich at lunchtime (about £4) or a more substantial evening meal.
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