Let's Have A Day Out - To Caernarfon

Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, and situated on the southern bank of the Menai Strait facing the Isle of Anglesey, a fortress dominates the walled town. Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales's castles and its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest, and to this day, still trumpets, in no uncertain terms, the intention of its builder Edward I. Begun in 1283 as the definitive chapter in his conquest of Wales, and was constructed not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and a royal palace. The main King's Gate was designed to be defended by a drawbridge with no less than six portcullises, plus arrow loops, spy holes and murder holes, through which deadly substances and objects could be hurled down onto attackers. The castle's persona is no architectural accident: it was designed to boldly impress and intimidate, to echo the walls of Constantinople, the imperial power of Rome and this gigantic building project, this 'dream castle', eventually took 47 years to build at a cost of a staggering £25,000. Indeed Edward's fourth son, Edward of Caernarfon, later Edward II of England, was born at the castle in April 1284 and made Prince of Wales in 1301. The medieval town walls, including eight towers and two twin-towered gateways form a complete circuit of 800 yards (730 m) around the old town but only a small section is accessible to the public. It still dominates the small town, now a web of 17th and 18th century streets enclosed by these medieval stone walls. Once inside the castle, you can't fail to be struck by the scale of the structure, much of which is intact. The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum is housed in two of the castle's towers and tells the story of this famous Welsh regiment. You are able to admire the view of Caernarfon from the lofty Eagle Tower, and clamber up and down spiral staircases to gaze down at the grassy central area where Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969.

A computer-generated image of Segontium

The region has been inhabited since Celtic times and was grabbed by the Romans in the late 70s AD. On a hilltop east of Caernarfon Castle are the remains of a Roman fort, Segontium, founded around 77AD at the edge of the Roman Empire by the governor of Britannia, Cnaeus Julius Agricola. It followed the suppression of the Ordovices, the last tribe to hold out against Roman forces in Wales, and was designed to hold around a thousand infantrymen, built to sever the link between Anglesey and Snowdonia. Occupied for around three centuries it was linked by Roman roads to the main legionary bases at Chester and Caerleon and the layout of many of the buildings can still be seen, covering four times the area of Caernarfon Castle. Thanks to excavated coins we know the Romans stayed until about AD394 – no other fort in Wales was held so long, most probably due to its strategic location as it not only controlled access to fertile and mineral-rich Anglesey but later helped to defend the Welsh coast against Irish pirates. It was later the seat of local chieftains after the Roman withdrawal and a Celtic church was founded there, probably in the 5th century and whilst Norman penetration in the11th century was brief, it produced a motte (fortified mound), and subsequently the Welsh Gwynedd princes set up a maenor ('manor') there. The town has grown considerably beyond the original walls. 

Coed Helen Park

A small harbour was important mostly in the 19th century as an outlet for slates from nearby quarries. Caernarfon's idyllic coastal location overlooking the Menai Straits and the Isle of Angelsey, makes it a magnet for sailing, boating and waters sports enthusiasts and accordingly provides superb marine facilities. Indeed it was in 1933, Group Captain Lionel Brabazon-Rees set sail from The Royal Welsh Yacht Club, in his 34-foot ketch 'May' to Florida to become the first man to sail across the Atlantic single handed. Doc Fictoria is set alongside the beautiful harbour and offers the range of marine services one would expect from a town that maintains such high standards including 46 pontoon berths with electricity and fresh water, state of the art security and a publicly accessed visitor's pontoon. The Caernarfon Sailing Club is located nearby as are Plas Menai National Watersports Centre and Slate Quay. There are also several sailing schools that cater for all levels and experience. In and around the town there is a wealth of things to see and do. Green Wood Forest Park is set in 17 magical acres that combines woodland adventures with attractions and rides. Other 'must do's' include the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway, Hwylfan Fun Centre, which is the largest of its kind in North Wales, Gypsy Wood Park at the foothills of Snowdonia and The Faenol - North Wales’ premier concert venue.The Aber Swing Bridge is located close to the harbour side of the castle which pedestrians are able to use as a crossing to visit Coed Helen Park, home to a playground, skate park, mini golf course, bowling green and football field and also take a leisurely stroll along the waters edge to take in the marvelous views.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2022/08/lets-have-day-out-to-bowness-on.html