Castell Caernarfon
Visitor notice
Castell Caernarfon King's Gate Lift
The upper levels of the King’s Gate are accessible via lift or steep stairs, providing access to areas of the castle not seen close up for centuries.
In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, please be aware that the King’s Gate can accommodate only a limited number of individuals needing assistance to evacuate. The evacuation route involves descending a narrow, uneven spiral staircase. To ensure you receive the necessary support, we advise visitors who may require evacuation assistance to contact the castle in advance and secure a reserved timeslot for your visit.
Contact – 01286 677 617 / castellcaernarfon@llyw.cymru
Refreshments at Castell Caernarfon
From 28 April to 31 October 2025, our pop-up kiosk will be open every day serving hot & cold drinks and light refreshments.
From 1st November 2025, our pop-up kiosk will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only serving hot & cold drinks and light refreshments.
The King’s Gate café is currently closed – we apologise for any inconvenience.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at Castell Caernarfon - 12-13 November
The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at Castell Caernarfon will be closed on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 November for essential maintenance works.
Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict
Castell Caernarfon 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 to save 5%*
- view our opening times and prices below
- check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*Booking online guarantees the best price for your visit.
You can book tickets up to 24 hours in advance.
Online ticket prices include a 5% discount and are non-refundable.
Gallery
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Opening times & prices
Opening times
| 1st March - 30th June | 9.30am–5pm |
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| 1st July - 31st August | 9.30am–6pm |
| 1st September - 31st October | 9.30am–5pm |
| 1st November - 28th February | 10am–4pm |
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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 | X (Twitter) @cadwwales |
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Prices
| Category | Price | |
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| Members - Join now |
Free
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| Adult |
£14.50
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| Family* |
£46.40
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| Disabled person and companion |
Free
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| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students** |
£10.10
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| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£13.00
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Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits *Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children. All children under 5 receive free entry **Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off individual admission (not available online). |
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Visitor information
Access guide
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Castell Caernarfon — Access Guide
(assistance dogs only at Castell Caernarfon)
Pay and Display car park
There are many car parks in and around Caernarfon town, including a long stay public car park at the waterfront, adjacent to the castle.
Portable hearing
A portable induction loop is available.
Toilets
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
Baby changing
Toilets available with baby changing facilities.
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only at this site.
Walking difficulty
Terrain: Level 4 – Strenuous
Audio tour
Audio guide available to purchase on arrival in the visitor centre. Free for Cadw members.
Exhibition
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Museum
The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum is located within the castle with free entry included in your castle admission ticket.
Refreshments
From 28 April 2025, our pop-up kiosk will be open every day serving hot & cold drinks and light refreshments.
The King’s Gate café will also be open on weekends until the end of September 2025.
Venue hire
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Wi-Fi
Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.
Video presentation
Drone policy
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted.
School visits
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, follow these simple steps in our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Health & Safety
There are many car parks in and around Caernarfon town, including a long stay public car park at the waterfront, adjacent to the castle which is the nearest.
The route to the castle does involve a short steep climb up to the visitor centre (which faces opposite the Quay) but this is along a standard town pavement.
Toilets can be found at the car park and also within the castle.
Whilst in the castle you will see that it contains historic and modern infrastructure. Historic steps are uneven, and the towers can be steep and windy. Please allow for your eyes to adjust within the inner areas of the castle and use handrails provided.
Take your time when using the towers, steps may be slippery during wet conditions.
The lift is available for use, from which you will gain access to inner and upper tiers of the Inner East Gatehouse.
For those requiring assistance the evacuation procedure will include the use of an evacuation chair., used by qualified members of staff. You will need to transfer into this chair before we can exit the Inner East Gatehouse.
Prebooking spaces is highly recommended as we can only accommodate two persons requiring assistance during an emergency.
Please do not climb upon the interpretation (hand displays) and do not climb over any safety barriers, these have been provided for your safety.
As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring.
Climbing may result in serious injury.
There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.
Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.
Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety
Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales
The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.
Steep and uneven steps
Slippery or uneven surfaces
Falls from height
High winds
Falling masonry
Directions
Address
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.
Telephone 03000 252239
Postcode LL55 2AY
what3words: ///quite.hats.candle
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.
