Caernarfon

We spent little more than an hour in this town in North West Wales, fruitlessly searching for a pub with children's fare. Still, Caernarfon is worth a mention due to its majestic castle situated to great advantage, both aesthetically and strategically, at the mouth of the river Seiont.

Caernarfon was built by Edward I of England shortly after his conquest of Wales. Understandably, then, it was constructued not only to serve as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and royal palace. Although the town of Caernarfon no doubt has charm of its own - despite lacking pubs serving food - it is the fortress that dominates the walled town.

Interestingly, Edward made sure that his son, the first Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284; and nearly 700 years later, the castle was the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.

Our hotel, Seiont Manor, a Georgian manor house surrounded by 150 acres of farmland, was located just half an hour's drive from Caernarfon in Llanrug.

Date of Our Last Visit: June 2004