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Caernarfon Castle

A giant stone fortress built to send a message — and it's still standing on the Welsh coast, 740 years later.

North Wales, on the Menai Strait

1283Building began

30+ yrsTime to build it

UNESCOWorld Heritage Site

The story of the stones

In 1283, King Edward I of England had just conquered Wales, and he wanted everyone to know it. So he ordered a castle so huge and so strong that no one would ever dare challenge him there again. He chose a spot where the River Seiont meets the sea — a perfect place to bring in stone, soldiers, and supplies by boat.

Caernarfon wasn't built like other castles. Its towers are polygonal (many-sided) rather than round, and its walls have bands of different coloured stone. Historians think Edward copied this look from the ancient walls of Constantinople, one of the most powerful cities in the world at the time — he wanted his new castle to feel just as important.

Fun facts to remember

It was never quite finished

Money ran short over the years, and parts of the castle's inner buildings were never fully completed — even though the walls look complete from the outside.

The Eagle Tower

The grandest tower once had carved stone eagles on top. It's the largest tower in the whole castle.

A royal title was announced here

In 1969, Prince Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales was held at Caernarfon Castle, watched by millions on television.

The walls have a matching town

The nearby town of Caernarfon has its own medieval walls, built at the same time as the castle, and you can still walk along parts of them today.

Welsh forces struck back

In 1294, while the castle was still being built, Welsh rebels attacked and captured the town — a reminder that not everyone welcomed the new castle.

It's a World Heritage Site

Since 1986, Caernarfon has been protected by UNESCO alongside three other Welsh castles, as one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe.

Questions kids ask

King Edward I of England ordered it to be built in 1283, after he had conquered Wales. He wanted a castle that showed everyone exactly who was in charge.

Building work started in 1283, which makes the castle more than 740 years old. It took over 30 years to finish, and some parts were never fully completed.

The builders used bands of different coloured stone on purpose. Historians think Edward I wanted the castle to remind people of the ancient walls of Constantinople, a city famous across Europe for its power.

Yes! It's looked after by Cadw, the Welsh heritage service, and is open to visitors most days of the year. You can climb the towers and walk along the walls.

The Eagle Tower is the largest and grandest tower at Caernarfon Castle. It once had stone eagles perched on its turrets, which is how it got its name.

Yes. Welsh forces attacked the unfinished castle in 1294 and briefly captured the town, and it was besieged again during a later uprising in the early 1400s. It was never fully taken by force.

Test your castle knowledge

Five quick questions. Tap an answer to see if you're right.

1. Which king ordered Caernarfon Castle to be built?

2. What shape are Caernarfon's famous towers?

3. What is the largest tower at the castle called?

4. Who protects and looks after the castle today?

5. In what year did Wales become part of Edward I's kingdom, leading to the castle's construction?

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