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Visitor Notice

The Caernarfon Castle King’s Gate lift and upper decks are not currently accessible, we are working to restore access to this area as quickly as possible.

Thank you

Overview

Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict

Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.

This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone.

Here Edward and his military architect Master James of St George erected a castle, town walls and a quay all at the same time. This gigantic building project eventually took 47 years and cost a staggering £25,000.

The castle was born out of bitter war with Welsh princes. So of course its immense curtain walls and daunting King’s Gate were designed to withstand assault. But the polygonal towers, eagle statues and multi-coloured masonry sent a more subtle message.

These echoed imperial Roman architecture, especially the walls of Constantinople. They also recalled the Welsh myth of Macsen Wledig, who dreamed of a great fort at the mouth of a river – ‘the fairest that man ever saw’.

So Caernarfon is a castle of dreams. A legend brought to life. Even after 700 years it still stirs the imagination like no other Welsh castle.

How to visit

•    purchase your admission tickets on arrival (or book online)*
•    view our opening times and prices below
•    check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.

*pre-booked tickets are non-refundable.

Read more about Caernarfon Castle


Opening times

Daily 9.30am–5pm*

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

*Please note Caernarfon Castle will be closed on Thursday 27 April 2023 until 1.30pm

Daily 9.30am–6pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Daily 9.30am–5pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

 

Daily 10am–4pm

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Please note: during extreme weather conditions we may need to close monuments at short notice, please check our social media channels before visiting to ensure the site is open and safe to visit.

Facebook @CadwWales | Twitter @cadwwales


Prices & Tickets

Category Price
Member - Join now
Free
Adult
£12.50
Family*
£40.00
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students
£8.80
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£11.90

*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children 

All children under 5 receive free entry

Blue Light Card holders receive 10% off admission (not available online)

 


Facilities

Access guide icon Dogs welcome icon Audio tour icon Pay and Display car park icon Exhibition icon Gift shop icon Guidebook icon Museum icon Drone policy icon No smoking icon Portable hearing icon Refreshments icon School visits icon Toilets icon Baby changing icon Video presentation icon Venue hire icon Wi-Fi icon

Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.

Caernarfon Castle — Access Guide

All dogs are welcome to visit the castle between 1 December – 22 March each year.

Assistance dogs only from 23 March 2024. 

Audio guide available to purchase on arrival in the visitor centre.

There are many car parks in and around Caernarfon town, including a long stay public car park at the waterfront, adjacent to the castle.

On-site exhibition within monument.

Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.

Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum is located within the castle with free entry included in your castle admission ticket.

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

Smoking is not permitted.

A portable induction loop is available.

Caernarfon Castle's new cafe – Coffi Castell – is now open and serving a selection of local Welsh food and drink. Committed to sustainable practices, Bonta Deli work hard to champion local produce and are minimising their use of plastics by replacing it with Vegware products. 

Cadw’s cafés and restaurants

 

To book your free self-led education visit to this site, follow these simple steps in our self-led education visits section.

Discover our free facilitated educational activities.

While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!

Visitor toilets are available at this site.

Toilets available with baby changing facilities.

Our video presentation is currently being repaired by our teams and will not be available during your visit. We will reinstate this interpretation as quickly as possible.

This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.

Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.


Directions

Road
A4085, A487(T), B4366.
Rail
16km/10mls Bangor, on the Crewe-Bangor/Holyhead route.
Bus
200m/220yards Caernarfon Penllyn, route No 5/5A/5B, Bangor-Caernarfon.
Bike
NCN Route No.8 On route.

Postcode LL55 2AY

For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.


Contact us

Telephone 03000 252239

Email
CaernarfonCastle@gov.wales

Address
Caernarfon Castle
Castle Ditch, Caernarfon LL55 2AY

For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01286 677617
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.