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{{short description|Town in Gwynedd, Wales}}
{{For|the former electoral area|Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{Other uses|Carnarvon (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Wales
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Arfon (Senedd constituency)|Arfon]]
| coordinates = {{coord|53.14|-4.27|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Caernarfon
| community_wales = Caernarfon
| unitary_wales = [[Gwynedd]]
| lieutenancy_wales = [[Gwynedd]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Dwyfor Meirionnydd (UK Parliament constituency)|Dwyfor Meirionnydd]]
| post_town = CAERNARFON
| postcode_district = LL54, LL55
| postcode_area = LL
| dial_code = 01286
| static_image_name = Caernarfon Castle built from 1283.jpg
| static_image_caption = [[Caernarfon Castle]] and dock
| os_grid_reference = SH485625
| cardiff_distance_mi = 171
| population = 9,852
| population_ref = (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121553&c=Caernarfon&d=16&e=62&g=6488965&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1431697301047&enc=1|title=Town population 2011|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923031815/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121553&c=Caernarfon&d=16&e=62&g=6488965&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1431697301047&enc=1|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_demonym = Cofi
| local_name = 
| module= [[File:Wales Gwynedd Community Caernarfon map.svg|240px]]<br />Map of the community
}}

'''Caernarfon''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ər|ˈ|n|ɑːr|v|ə|n|,_|k|ɑːr|-}};<ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|caernarvon|access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caernarfon |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/caernarfon |website=Oxford Leaners Dictionaries|access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> {{IPA|cy|kaɨrˈnarvɔn|lang|LL-Q9309 (cym)-Jason.nlw-Caernarfon.wav}}) is a [[List of place names with royal patronage in the United Kingdom|royal town]], [[Community (Wales)|community]] and port in [[Gwynedd]], [[Wales]]. It has a population of 9,852 (with [[Caeathro]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cyngor Tref Frenhinol Caernarfon Royal Town Council|url=http://www.cyngortrefcaernarfon.llyw.cymru/english/contact.php|access-date=2020-09-09|website=www.cyngortrefcaernarfon.llyw.cymru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-04-27|title=Welcome for Queen in royal town|language=en-GB|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/8646688.stm|access-date=2020-09-09}}</ref> It lies along the A4871 road, on the eastern shore of the [[Menai Strait]], opposite the island of [[Anglesey]]. The city of [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]] is {{convert|8.6|mi|km|}} to the north-east, while [[Snowdonia]] (Eryri) fringes Caernarfon to the east and south-east.

Abundant natural resources in and around the Menai Strait enabled human habitation in [[prehistoric Britain]]. The [[Ordovices]], a [[list of Celtic tribes|Celtic tribe]], lived in the region during the period known as [[Roman Britain]]. The [[castra|Roman fort]] [[Segontium]] was established around AD&nbsp;80 to subjugate the Ordovices during the [[Roman conquest of Britain]]. The Romans occupied the region until the [[end of Roman rule in Britain]] in 382, after which Caernarfon became part of the [[Kingdom of Gwynedd]]. In the late 11th century, [[William the Conqueror]] ordered the construction of a [[motte-and-bailey castle]] at Caernarfon as part of the [[Norman invasion of Wales]]. He was unsuccessful, and Wales remained independent until around 1283.

In the 13th century, [[Llywelyn ap Gruffudd]], ruler of Gwynedd, refused to pay homage to [[Edward I of England]], prompting the [[conquest of Wales by Edward I|English conquest of Gwynedd]]. This was followed by the construction of [[Caernarfon Castle]], one of the largest and most imposing fortifications built by the English in Wales. In 1284, the English-style county of [[Caernarfonshire]] was established by the [[Statute of Rhuddlan]]; the same year, Caernarfon was made a [[Ancient borough|borough]], a [[county town|county]] and [[market town]], and the seat of English government in north Wales.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gareth Edwards |url=http://www.visitcaernarfon.com/history.html |title=Caernarfon Tourist Information |publisher=Visitcaernarfon.com |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005124916/http://www.visitcaernarfon.com/history.html |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ascent of the Welsh [[House of Tudor]] to the [[throne of England]] eased hostilities with the English and resulted in Caernarfon Castle falling into a state of disrepair. The town has flourished,{{when|date=December 2014}} leading to its status as a major tourist centre and seat of [[Gwynedd Council]], with a thriving harbour and marina. Caernarfon has expanded beyond its [[Caernarfon town walls|medieval walls]] and experienced heavy [[suburbanisation]]. The community of Caernarfon's population includes the highest percentage of [[Welsh language|Welsh]]-speaking citizens anywhere in Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Policy,%20research%20and%20data/Census%20Data/Pages/2011CensusresultsbyCommunity.aspx|title=2011 Census results by Community|website=Welsh Language Commissioner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914001036/http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Policy,%20research%20and%20data/Census%20Data/Pages/2011CensusresultsbyCommunity.aspx|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The status of Royal Borough was granted by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in 1963 and amended to Royal Town in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12762895 |title=BBC News – How does a town get a 'royal' title? |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> The castle and town walls are part of a [[World Heritage Site]] described as the [[Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd]].

== Toponymy ==
The town's name consists of three elements: {{Langx|cy|[[caer]]|label=none}} , {{Langx|cy|yn|label=none}}, and {{Langx|cy|Arfon|label=none}}. "Caer' means 'fortress", in this case either the Roman fort of [[Segontium]], which lies on the outskirts of the modern town, or the [[Normans|Norman]] castle erected near the mouth of the [[Afon Seiont]]. "Arfon" means "opposite Môn (Anglesey)", and the full name therefore means "the fortress in the land opposite Anglesey".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carnarvon - Carnarvonshire {{!}} British History Online |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/wales/pp202-228 |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Caernarfon place-name - History Points |url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=caernarfon-place-names |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=historypoints.org}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|1997|p=4}}</ref>

The earlier [[Celtic Britons|British]] and [[Romano-British culture|Romano-British]] settlement at [[Segontium]] was named ''{{lang|owl|[[caer|Cair]] Segeint}}'' ("[[caer|Fort]] Seiont") after the river. It was also known as ''{{lang|owl|Cair Custoient}}'' ("Fortress of Constantine"),<ref>Stevenson's 1838 edition, P.&nbsp;20.</ref> after a belief that it was the capital of Gwynedd under Constantine, a supposed son of [[Saint Elen]] and the Emperor [[Magnus Maximus]]. Both names appear in the ''[[Historia Brittonum]]'' traditionally ascribed to [[Nennius]].<ref name="nashford">Ford, David Nash. "[http://www.britannia.com/history/ebk/articles/nenniuscities.html The 28 Cities of Britain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415120312/http://www.britannia.com/history/ebk/articles/nenniuscities.html|date=15 April 2016}}" at Britannia. 2000.</ref> A [[medieval Welsh literature|medieval romance]] about Maximus and Elen, ''[[Breuddwyd Macsen|Macsen's Dream]]'', calls her home ''{{lang|cy|Caer Aber Sein}}'' ("Fort Seiontmouth" or "the fortress at the mouth of the Seiont") and other pre-conquest poets such as [[Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd]] used the name ''{{lang|cy|Caer Gystennin}}''.<ref>[[Ifor Williams|William, Ifor]]. ''Breuddwyd Maxen''. (Bangor), 1920.</ref> A 1221 charter by [[Llywelyn the Great]] to the canons of [[Penmon]] priory on Anglesey mentions ''{{lang|cy|Kaerinarfon}}'', and the Welsh chronicle {{Langx|cy|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]|label=none}} mentions both ''{{lang|cy|Kaerenarvon}}'' and ''{{lang|cy|Caerenarvon}}''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnarvon Rent Rolls 1832 and Poor Relief 1788 |url=http://www.cefnpennar.com/carnarvon/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331172809/http://www.cefnpennar.com/carnarvon/index.htm |archive-date=31 March 2009 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=www.cefnpennar.com}}</ref><ref>Jones, Thomas (ed.). ''Brut y Tywysogion[:] Peniarth MS. 20''. (Cardiff), 1941.</ref>

The town and the county named after it were officially spelled "Carnarvon" until 1926. At a meeting on 10 November 1925 the borough council resolved to ask the county council to change the spelling to "Caernarvon".<ref>{{cite news |title=Caernarvon |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Lancashire Evening Post |date=11 November 1925 |location=Preston |page=4}}</ref> The county council gave permission for the change of spelling for the name of the borough with effect from 14 January 1926, and at the same time decided to ask the government to also change the spelling of the county's name to Caernarvon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caernarvon |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Holyhead Mail |date=15 January 1926 |page=5}}</ref> The government confirmed the change in the spelling of the county's name with effect from 1 July 1926.<ref>{{cite book |title=Census of England and Wales, 1931: Counties of Anglesey and Caernarvon |date=1932 |publisher=Census Office |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OoIcAAAAIAAJ&q=1931%20census%20caernarvon%20carnarvon |access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref>

The [[municipal borough]] was designated a royal borough in 1963.<ref name="Coflein" /> When the borough was abolished in 1974 the status of "royal town" was granted to the new [[community council|community]] which succeeded it.<ref name="Coflein" /> The spelling of both borough and county remained "Caernarvon" until they were abolished in 1974.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref> The spelling of the community's name was changed from "Caernarvon" to "Caernarfon" with effect from 2 June 1975 by order of [[District of Arfon|Arfon Borough Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical information on changes to electoral arrangements of Local authorities, Parliamentary areas and European Parliamentary boundaries |url=https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/addressing-and-location/boundary-line/boundary-line-downloads |website=Boundary-Line Downloads |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=25 August 2025}} (See downloadable [https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FwKAeeIvHz0AhpuZU7aaJ%2Fboundary-legislation-changes-from-1973.xls?alt=media&token=791e9948-3e7e-4606-bc19-e082fb7aee0c boundary-legislation-changes-from-1973.xls] spreadsheet.)</ref>

==History==
{{See also|Segontium|History of Gwynedd during the High Middle Ages}}
[[File:Town Hall gate, Caernarvon.jpeg|thumb|upright|Town Hall gate {{circa|1840}}]]
Caernarfon contains a Roman fort, Segontium, and a Norman [[motte-and-bailey castle]] was built at the mouth of the River Seiont.

In 1283, [[Edward I, King of England|King Edward I]] completed his [[Conquest of Wales by Edward I|conquest of Wales]] which he secured by a chain of castles and walled towns. The construction of a new stone [[Caernarfon Castle]] seems to have started as soon as the campaign had finished.<ref>Taylor, Arnold (1997) [1953], Caernarfon Castle and Town Walls (4th ed.), Cardiff: Cadw – Welsh Historic Monuments, {{ISBN|1-85760-042-8}}</ref> Edward's architect, [[James of St. George]], may well have modelled the castle on the [[walls of Constantinople]], possibly being aware of the town's legendary associations. 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.<ref name="EB1911" /> A story recorded in the 16th century suggests that the new prince was offered to the native Welsh on the premise "that [he] was borne in Wales and could speake never a word of English", however, there is no contemporary evidence to support this.<ref>Phillips, Seymour (2006). "The Place of the Reign of Edward II". In Dodd, Gwilym; Musson, Anthony, ''The Reign of Edward II: New Perspectives'', Woodbridge, UK: York Medieval Press. pp. 220–233. {{ISBN|978-1-903153-19-2}}</ref>

Caernarfon was constituted a [[borough]] in 1284 by a charter of Edward I.<ref name="Coflein" /> The charter, which was confirmed on a number of occasions, appointed the mayor of the borough Constable of the Castle [[ex officio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cyngor Tref Frenhinol Caernarfon Royal Town Council |url=http://www.caernarfontowncouncil.gov.uk/eng/siarter.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018033641/http://www.caernarfontowncouncil.gov.uk/eng/siarter.html |archive-date=18 October 2012 |access-date=29 September 2012 |publisher=Caernarfontowncouncil.gov.uk}}</ref>

[[File:Anglesey Caernarnan Atlas.jpg|thumb|250px|Hand-drawn map of Anglesey and Caernarfon by Christopher Saxton from 1578]]

[[File:Y Draig Aur Owain Glyndŵr.jpg|thumb|On 2 November 1401, 'Y Ddraig Aur' (The golden dragon) of [[Owain Glyndŵr]] was attested to have been flown during the [[Battle of Tuthill]] at Caernarfon, it is also likely that it was also flown throughout the Welsh independence campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nathenamin |date=2011-11-08 |title=History of Welsh Flags |url=https://nathenamin.com/2011/11/08/history-of-welsh-flags/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Enter the Dragon: Revealing the history of the Welsh flag |url=https://www.thenational.wales/culture/19114269.revealing-secret-history-wales-flag/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=The National Wales |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=WalesOnline |date=2013-04-27 |title=Is the Welsh dragon the most important object in Welsh history? |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/welsh-dragon-most-important-object-3012086 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref>]]

In 1911, [[David Lloyd George]], then [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|Caernarfon boroughs]], which included various towns from Llŷn to Conwy, agreed to the [[British royal family]]'s idea of holding the [[investiture of the Prince of Wales]] at [[Caernarfon Castle]]. The ceremony took place on 13 July, with the royal family visiting Wales, and the future [[Edward VIII]] was [[Investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales|duly invested]].

In 1955, Caernarfon was in the running for the title of [[Capital of Wales]] on historical grounds but the town's campaign was heavily defeated in a ballot of Welsh local authorities, with 11 votes compared to Cardiff's 136.<ref>{{cite web|title=INVESTING IN CAERNARFON|url=http://www.propertyinvestorswales.com/investing-in-wales/investing-in-caernarfon.html|publisher=Property Investors Wales|access-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701110943/http://www.propertyinvestorswales.com/investing-in-wales/investing-in-caernarfon.html|archive-date=1 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Cardiff]] therefore became the Welsh capital.
[[File:Prince Charles' Investiture 1 (1559160).jpg|thumb|Scene in Caernarfon on Investiture day 1969.]]
On 1 July 1969, the [[Investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales|investiture ceremony]] for [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] was again held at Caernarfon Castle. The ceremony went ahead without incident despite terrorist threats and protests, which culminated in the death of two members of [[Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru]] (Welsh Defence Movement), Alwyn Jones and George Taylor, who were killed when their bomb – intended for the railway line at [[Abergele]] in order to stop the [[British Royal Train]] – exploded prematurely. The bombing campaign (one in Abergele, two in Caernarfon and finally one on [[Llandudno Pier]]) was organised by the movement's leader, John Jenkins. He was later arrested after a tip-off and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/06/26/parade-to-commemorate-the-abergele-martyrs-55578-23984872/|title=Parade to commemorate the Abergele Martyrs|publisher=Dailypost.co.uk|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

In July 2019, Caernarfon hosted a rally for Welsh independence. The event, organised by AUOB (All Under One Banner) Cymru, included a march through the town centre. Organisers estimated that roughly 8,000 people joined the march on the town square; local authorities confirmed at least 5,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49137381|title=Thousands march for Welsh independence|date=2019-07-27|access-date=2019-09-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> The event featured a number of speakers including [[Hardeep Singh Kohli]], Evra Rose, [[Dafydd Iwan]], Lleuwen Steffan, Siôn Jobbins, Beth Angell, [[Gwion Hallam]], Meleri Davies and Elfed Wyn Jones. Talks covered criticism of [[Brexit]] and Westminster with advocating Welsh Independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/independence-march-caernarfon-sparks-polarised-16639005|title=Independence march in Caernarfon sparks polarised reaction on social media|last=Evans|first=Harri|date=2019-07-27|website=northwales|access-date=2019-09-03}}</ref>

The history of Caernarfon, as an example where the rise and fall of different civilizations can be seen from one hilltop, is discussed in [[John Michael Greer]]'s book ''The Long Descent''.  He writes of Caernarfon: {{Blockquote|Spread out below us in an unexpected glory of sunlight was the whole recorded history of that little corner of the world. The ground beneath us still rippled with earthworks from the Celtic hill fort that guarded the Menai Strait more than two and a half millennia ago. The Roman fort that replaced it was now the dim brown mark of an old archaeological site on low hills off to the left. Edward I’s great grey castle rose up in the middle foreground, and the high contrails of RAF jets on a training exercise out over the Irish Sea showed that the town’s current overlords still maintained the old watch. Houses and shops from more than half a dozen centuries spread eastward as they rose through the waters of time, from the cramped medieval buildings of the old castle town straight ahead to the gaudy sign and sprawling parking lot of the supermarket back behind us.<ref>{{cite book|title=Long Descent: A User's Guide to the End of the Industrial Age|first= John Michael |last=Greer|publisher=New Society Publishers|year=2008|isbn=978-0865716094}}</ref>}}

==Geography==
Caernarfon is situated on the southern bank of the [[Menai Strait]] facing the [[Isle of Anglesey]]. It is situated {{convert|8.6|mi|km|}} south-west of Bangor, {{convert|19.4|mi|km}} north of [[Porthmadog]] and approximately {{convert|8.0|mi|km}} west of [[Llanberis]] and Snowdonia National Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en |title=Google Maps |publisher=Google Maps |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=7 September 2012}}</ref> The mouth of the [[River Seiont]] is in the town, creating a natural harbour where it flows into the Menai Strait. Caernarfon Castle stands at the mouth of the river.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowdoniaguide.com/caernarfon_castle.htm |title=Caernarfon Castle |publisher=Snowdoniaguide.com |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> The [[A487]] passes directly through Caernarfon, with Bangor to the north and Porthmadog to the south.

As the crow flies, the summit of [[Snowdon]] lies a little over {{convert|9.6|mi|km}} to the southeast of the town centre.

==Economy==
[[File:Palace Street, Caernarfon - geograph.org.uk - 5465432.jpg|thumb|Palace Street, leading to the castle, with the Old Market Hall on the left]]
Caernarfon's historical prominence and landmarks have made it a major tourist centre.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gareth Edwards |url=http://www.visitcaernarfon.com/ |title=Caernarfon Tourist Information |publisher=Visitcaernarfon.com |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805124828/http://www.visitcaernarfon.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a result, many of the local businesses cater for the tourist trade. Caernarfon has numerous guest houses, inns and pubs, hotels, restaurants and shops. The majority of shops in the town are located either in the centre of town around Pool Street and Castle Square (Y Maes), on Doc Fictoria (Victoria Dock) or in Cei Llechi (Slate Quay).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Makers {{!}} Cei Llechi Regeneration project, Caernarfon |url=https://www.ceillechi.cymru/eng/the-makers.html |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=www.ceillechi.cymru}}</ref> A number of shops are also located within the Town Walls.

The majority of the retail and residential section of Doc Fictoria was opened in 2008. The retail and residential section of Doc Fictoria is built directly beside a [[Blue Flag beach]] marina. It contains numerous homes, bars and bistros, cafés and restaurants, an award-winning arts centre, a maritime museum and a range of shops and stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.docfictoria.co.uk/information.htm |title=Doc Fictoria Victoria Dock Caernarfon |publisher=Docfictoria.co.uk |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220022729/http://www.docfictoria.co.uk/information.htm |archive-date=20 February 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

[[File:Castle Square, Caernarfon (48206425017).jpg|thumb|''Y Maes'' (Castle Square), seen from the castle walls]]
Pool Street and Castle Square contain a number of large, national retail shops and smaller independent stores. Pool Street is pedestrianised<ref>{{cite web|author=Your name |url=http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/28490/ |title=View a photo in the Photomap » Rising bollards, Pool St, Caernarfon (photo #28490) |publisher=CycleStreets |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> and serves as the town's main shopping street. Castle Square, commonly referred to as the 'Maes' by both Welsh and English speakers, is the market square of the town. A market is held every Saturday throughout the year and also on Mondays in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/showPlace.cfm?Place_ID=28427 |title=Caernarfon Market, a Market in Caernarfon, North Wales. Search for North Wales Markets |publisher=Information-britain.co.uk |date=16 October 2005 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> The square was revamped at a cost of £2.4 million in 2009. However, since its revamp the square has caused controversy due to traffic and parking difficulties. During the revamp, it was decided to remove barriers between traffic and pedestrians creating a 'shared space', to force drivers to be more considerate of pedestrians and other vehicles. This is the first use of this kind of arrangement in Wales, but it has been described by councillor Bob Anderson as being 'too ambiguous' for road users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2009/06/11/controversy-over-y-maes-in-caernarfon-88817-23844877/ |title=Controversy over y Maes in Caernarfon |publisher=Caernarfon Herald |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619182605/http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2009/06/11/controversy-over-y-maes-in-caernarfon-88817-23844877/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Another controversy caused by the revamp of the Maes was that a historic old oak tree was taken down from outside the [[HSBC]] bank. When the Maes was re-opened in July 2009 by the local politician and Heritage Minister of Wales, [[Alun Ffred Jones]] AM, he said, "the use of beautiful local [[slate]] is very prominent in the new Maes."

There are many old [[public house]]s serving the town, including The Four Alls, The Anglesey Arms Hotel, The Castle Hotel, The Crown, Morgan Lloyd, Pen Deitch and The Twthill Vaults. The oldest public house in Caernarfon is the [[Black Boy Inn]], which remained in the same family for over 40 years until sold in 2003 to a local independent family business. The pub has stood inside Caernarfon's Town Walls since the 16th century, and many people claim to have seen ghosts within the building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.black-boy-inn.com/history.htm |title=History :: Black Boy Inn &#124; Caernarfon Hotels &#124; Accommodation North Wales |publisher=Black Boy Inn |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-date=8 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808081452/http://www.black-boy-inn.com/history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In and around the Town Walls are numerous restaurants, public houses and inns, and guest houses and hostels.<ref>{{cite web |author=Things to Do |url=http://www.caernarfonhotels.com/things-to-do/ |title=Things to Do |publisher=Caernarfon Hotels |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129073614/http://www.caernarfonhotels.com/things-to-do/ |archive-date=29 January 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

==Governance==
[[File:Caernarfon Town Hall.jpg|thumb|upright|The Institute Building: headquarters of Caernarfon Town Council.]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Caernarfon, at [[Community (Wales)|community]] (town) and [[Principal areas of Wales|county]] level: Caernarfon Town Council (Cyngor Tref Caernarfon) and [[Gwynedd Council]] (Cyngor Gwynedd). The town council is based at the Institute Building on Pavilion Hill (Allt Pafiliwn). As a royal town, the town council is allowed to style itself Caernarfon Royal Town Council (Cyngor Tref Frenhinol Caernarfon), which names it has used in the past, but as at 2024 it does not do so on its website or in council minutes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.cyngortrefcaernarfon.llyw.cymru/en/contact |website=Caernarfon Town Council |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref> Gwynedd Council also has its headquarters in the town at the [[Council Offices, Caernarfon|Council Offices]] on Shirehall Street.<ref>{{NHAW|num=26628|desc=Council Offices, Caernarfon|accessdate=15 April 2020}}</ref>

The [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|Caernarfon parliamentary constituency]] was a former electoral area centred on Caernarfon. Caernarfon is now part of the constituency of [[Dwyfor Meirionnydd (UK Parliament constituency)|Dwyfor Meirionnydd]] in the UK Parliament, and [[Arfon (Senedd constituency)|Arfon]] in the [[Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament|Senedd]]. The town is twinned with [[Landerneau]] in [[Brittany]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Alun |first=Wena |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-16530689 |title=BBC News – Town twinning links remain strong in Wales |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>, and [[Trelew]] in [[Chubut Province]], [[Patagonia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2015/02/27/trelew-in-patagonia-and-caernarfon-in-wales-to-be-linked-as-sister-cities |title=Trelew in Patagonia and Caernarfon in Wales to be linked as 'sister-cities' |publisher=en.mercopress.com  |date=27 February 2015}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
Caernarfon formed part of the [[ancient parish]] of Llanbeblig. The parish also included adjoining rural areas, particularly to the south-east where it extended to include the village of [[Waunfawr]]. The parish church was St Peblig's Church, to the south-east of the walled town. The church stood in relative isolation until the 20th century, but has since been surrounded by the town's suburbs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Llanbeblig Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10149927/boundary |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref>

As part of establishing the castle and fortified town, Edward I of England granted Caernarfon a [[municipal charter|charter]] making it a [[ancient borough|borough]] in 1284.<ref name="Coflein" /> The [[Statute of Rhuddlan]] in the same year created the new [[historic counties of Wales|county]] of Caernarfonshire, with Caernarfon serving as [[county town]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Breverton |first1=Terry |title=Wales: A Historical Companion |date=2009 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781445609904 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2qoAwAAQBAJ&dq=Eifionydd%20commote%20rhuddlan&pg=PT67 |access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref>

In 1836 Caernarfon became a [[municipal borough]] under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=456 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/456/mode/2up |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref>  The [[Local Government Act 1894]] directed that parishes were no longer allowed to straddle borough boundaries, and so the part of the parish of Llanbeblig outside the borough became the separate parish of Waunfawr (initially spelt Waenfawr).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langston |first1=Brett |title=Carnarvon Registration District |url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/carnarvon.html |website=UK BMD |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref>

The municipal borough of Caernarfon was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. A community called Caernarfon was created instead, covering the area of the abolished borough. District-level functions passed to [[District of Arfon|Arfon Borough Council]], which was in turn replaced in 1996 by Gwynedd Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|accessdate=6 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Wales) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=19|accessdate=9 October 2022}}</ref>

==Demography==
The population in 1841 was 8,001.<ref>''The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge'', Vol.III, London, 1847, Charles Knight, p.1,015</ref>

The population of Caernarfon Community Parish in 2001 was 9,611.<ref>{{cite web|author=Neighbourhood Statistics |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=801522&d=16&e=15&g=413549&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1320263209452&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 |title=Check Browser Settings |publisher=Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> Caernarfon residents are known colloquially as "Cofis". The word "Cofi" {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|v|i}} is also used locally in Caernarfon to describe the [[Cofi dialect|local Welsh dialect]], notable for a number of words not in use elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Frances Elizabeth |date=2012 |title=Cofi-Spîk: Ethnograffeg o Iaith a Hunaniaeth yng Nghaernarfon |url=https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/files/20573439/null |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=research.bangor.ac.uk |language=Welsh}}</ref>

Within Wales, Gwynedd has the highest proportion of speakers of the [[Welsh language]]. The greatest concentration of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd is found in and around Caernarfon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus on Gwynedd – Gwynedd County Council|url=http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/950/Ffocws_ar_Wynedd_2007__English_version12345.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001162228/http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/950/Ffocws_ar_Wynedd_2007__English_version12345.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2011|publisher=Gwynedd.gov.uk|access-date=14 August 2012}}</ref>

According to the 2011 census, 85.8% of residents were born in Wales, one of the highest proportions in Gwynedd, and 77.0% reported a "Welsh only" national identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Custom report - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=W04000056 |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>

==Churches==
===St Peblig's and Segontium Roman Fort===
[[File:Eglwys Llanbeblig, Caernarfon - geograph.org.uk - 2540933.jpg|thumb|St Peblig's Church]]
Caernarfon historically formed part of the parish of Llanbeblig, named after Saint Peblig, the son of [[Saint Elen]] and Macsen Wledig ([[Magnus Maximus]]). St Peblig's Church stands {{convert|0.6|miles|km}} south-east of the walled town. It is built on an important early Christian site, itself built on a Roman [[Mithraeum]] or temple of [[Mithras]]. This was located close to the [[Segontium]] Roman Fort which lies {{convert|200|metres|abbr=off}} away. A Roman altar was found in one of the walls of the church during 19th-century restoration work. The present church dates mainly from the 14th century and is built to a [[Cruciform#Cruciform architectural plan|Cruciform architectural plan]]. A major restoration was undertaken in 1894.<ref>Haslam, Richard, Orbach, Julian, Voelcker, Adam, 2009, Gwynedd, The Buildings of Wales, [[Yale University Press]], {{ISBN|978-0-300-14169-6}}, pages, 281–285</ref> St Peblig's is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref>{{Cadw|num=3881|desc=Church of St Peblig, Caernarfon|grade=I|access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref>

===St Mary's===
St Mary's Church was begun in 1307 as a chapel for the castle and garrison. It is built against the town wall, the Bell Tower acting as a [[vestry]]. The church was restored by [[Benjamin Dean Wyatt]] in 1811-1814. The exterior mainly reflects Wyatt's work, except its north and west walls which are "Master James of St George's massive limestone masonry of 1284-1290", but the arcades in the nave, and other internal elements, are medieval.<ref>Haslam, Richard, Orbach, Julian, Voelcker, Adam, 2009, Gwynedd, The Buildings of Wales, [[Yale University Press]], {{ISBN|978-0-300-14169-6}}, pages, 285–286</ref> The church is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref>{{Cadw|num=3587|desc=Church of St Mary, Caernarfon|grade=I|access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
[[File:A north-west view of Caernarvon Castle.jpeg|thumb|A north-west view of Caernarvon Castle. 1749]]
[[File:Caernarvon castle and town, watercolour.jpg|thumb|A view of the town walls, {{circa|1781}} (by [[Moses Griffith (artist)|Moses Griffith]])]]
[[File:Carnarvon Castle - from Coed Helen.jpeg|thumb|Carnarvon Castle from Coed Helen, 1854]]

===Caernarfon Castle===
{{main|Caernarfon Castle}}
The present castle building was constructed between 1283 and 1330 by the order of King Edward I. The banded stonework and [[polygon]]al towers are thought to have been in imitation of the [[Walls of Constantinople]]. The impressive [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]] with nine [[Flanking tower|tower]]s and two [[gatehouse]]s survive largely intact. Caernarfon Castle is now under the care of [[Cadw]] and is open to the public. The castle includes the regimental museum of the [[Royal Welch Fusiliers]].

===Caernarfon town walls===
{{main|Caernarfon town walls}}
The medieval town walls, including eight towers and two twin-towered gateways, form a complete circuit of {{convert|800|yd|m}} around the old town and were built between 1283 and 1285.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-3815-caernarfon-town-wall-caernarfon#.VkZVa9LhCUk |title=Caernarfon Town Wall, Caernarfon |website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=13 November 2015 }}</ref> The walls are in the care of [[Cadw]] but only a small section is accessible to the public. The town walls and castle at Caernarfon were declared part of a World Heritage Site in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caernarfon-town-walls/?lang=en |title=Caernarfon Town Walls |website=cadw.gov.wales |publisher=Cadw Office, Welsh Government |access-date=13 November 2015 }}</ref> According to [[UNESCO]], the castle and walls together with other royal castles in Gwynedd "are the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/374 |title=Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd |website=whc.unesco.org |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=17 November 2015 }}</ref>

===County Hall, police station and prison===
[[County Hall, Caernarfon|Caernarfon County Hall]] and the police station are two former municipal buildings which stand on Castle Ditch, facing the castle walls. Constructed in the mid-19th century, they were designed by John Fisher, the [[Caernarfonshire]] [[county surveyor]] in a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style. They are both [[Listed buildings|Grade I listed buildings]].<ref>{{Cadw|num=3828|desc=County Court (former County Hall)|grade=I|access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cadw|num=3827|desc=Police Station, including forecourt railings and gate piers|grade=I|access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref> In the 20th century the buildings were vacated. The courthouse was replaced by the new [[Caernarfon Criminal Justice Centre]] on the former Segontium School site in Llanberis Road in 2009.<ref name="Segontium">{{cite news|url=http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/july2006/court/|title=New Courts at Caernarfon|date=13 July 2006|publisher=www.caernarfononline.co.uk|access-date=8 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725033904/http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/july2006/court/|archive-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The former county hall now operates as an entertainment venue, and the former police station as commercial offices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=old-county-hall-and-court-caernarfon|title=Old County Hall and Court|publisher=History Points|access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=old-caernarfon-police-station|title=Old Caernarfon Police Station|publisher=History Points|access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref> Adjacent to the old courthouse is the former [[Council Offices, Caernarfon|Caernarfon Gaol]] which also closed in the early 20th century and converted into council offices.<ref>{{Coflein|num=23238 |desc=Caernarvon Gaol;old Prison Buildings;council Offices;swyddfa'r Cyngor, Shire Hall Street |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref>

===Statue of David Lloyd George===
The statue in Castle Square was sculpted by [[W. Goscombe John]] and was erected in 1921 when Lloyd George was prime minister. David Lloyd George was the Member of Parliament for the area from 1890 to 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-3843-statue-of-david-lloyd-george-caernarfon#.VkZoU9LhCUk |title=Statue of David Lloyd George, Caernarfon |website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=13 November 2015 }}</ref>

===The Old Market Hall===
The Old Market Hall in Hole-in-the-Wall Street and Palace Street was built in 1832 as a corn market; the interior and roof were rebuilt later in that century. It is a Grade II listed building.<ref>{{NHAW|num=3907|desc=The Old Market, Caernarfon |grade=II|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref> It now acts as a pub and music venue.

===Morfa Common Park===
A small [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[urban park]], Morfa was laid out in 1888. It stands to the south of the town, bordered by the 'Ysbyty Eryri' hospital [see below] at its southern edge. It is listed at Grade II on the [[Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales]].<ref>{{NHAW|uid=167|num=PGW(Gd)38(GWY)|desc=Morfa Common Park|class=HPG|access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>

===Others===
Caernarfon has a small hospital, 'Ysbyty Eryri' (Snowdonia Hospital). The nearest large regional hospital is [[Ysbyty Gwynedd]], in [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1985/apr/22/nhs-facilities-gwynedd|title=NHS Facilities (Gwynedd)|publisher=Hansard|date=22 April 1985|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>

[[Caernarfon Barracks]] was commissioned by John Lloyd, County Surveyor of [[Caernarfonshire]], as a military headquarters and completed in 1855.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300003887-the-barracks-caernarfon#.WZqYTWyouUk|title= Caernarfon Barracks|publisher=British Listed Buildings|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref>

==Transport==

=== Sea ===
Caernarfon was at one time an important port, exporting [[Slate industry in Wales|slate]] from the [[Nantlle Valley|Dyffryn Nantlle]] quarries. This traffic was facilitated from 1828 by the [[Nantlle Railway]] which predated far more widely known ventures such as the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]] and the [[Ffestiniog Railway]].

=== Rail ===
Five passenger stations have served the town. [[Caernarvon railway station]] opened in 1852 as the western terminus of the [[Bangor and Carnarvon Railway]]. This connected the town with the North Wales coast and the expanding national network. [[Carnarvon Castle railway station]] opened in 1856 as the northern passenger terminus of the [[3 ft 6 in gauge railways|3ft 6in narrow gauge]] [[Nantlle Railway]]. This service ended in 1865 when the line being built from the south by the [[standard gauge]] [[Carnarvonshire Railway]] took over most of its trackbed. The Carnarvonshire Railway's temporary northern terminus was at [[Carnarvon (Pant) railway station|Pant]] to the south of the town. Pant station opened in 1867. At the same time, the [[Carnarvon and Llanberis Railway]] built its line from [[Llanberis railway station (LNWR)|Llanberis]] to Caernarfon. Its temporary western terminus was called [[Caernarvon (Morfa) railway station|Carnarvon (Morfa)]]. It opened in 1869 near the modern road bridges over the [[Afon Seiont]]. For a short period, therefore, Caernarfon had three terminating stations on its edges. Records are contradictory, but this ended in either 1870 or 1871 when they were connected by a line through the town using the tunnel which survives, having been converted in 1995 for road traffic. When the through route was opened Pant and Morfa stations closed and the original station became the town's only station. The [[London and North Western Railway]] also took over all the lines mentioned, leaving one station and one service provider by 1871.

The services to [[Llanberis railway station (LNWR)|Llanberis]] and south to {{rws|Afon Wen}} closed progressively from the 1930s, with tracks being lifted in the mid-1960s, but Caernarvon station survived until 1970, with Bangor to Caernarvon one of the last passenger services to be closed under the [[Beeching Axe]]; it is now the site of a [[Morrisons]] supermarket. In November 2020 the Welsh Government stated 'further consideration' should be given to reopening the line. The [[Caernarfon railway station|fifth station]] was opened in 1997 on the old trackbed in St. Helen's Road. It is the northern terminus of the [[2 ft and 600 mm gauge railways|2ft narrow gauge]] Rheilffordd Eryri / [[Welsh Highland Railway]]. Work began on a permanent station for the town in February 2017. The new station opened to passengers in the Spring of 2019. Heritage steam services provide links to [[Porthmadog Harbour railway station|Porthmadog]], where passengers can change for services on the [[Ffestiniog Railway]] to [[Blaenau Ffestiniog]].<ref>{{cite web|title=£2m Caernarfon steam railway station work begins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38870784|website=BBC News|access-date=6 February 2017|date=5 February 2017}}</ref>

=== Bus ===
Bus services in the town are provided by [[Arriva Buses Wales]], and a number of smaller, local operators. Longer distance, cross-country services are operated by [[Lloyds Coaches]], and connect the town with [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]] to the north, and [[Aberystwyth]] via [[Porthmadog]], [[Dolgellau]] and [[Machynlleth]] to the south. These services are part of the [[Welsh Government]] funded [[TrawsCymru]] network.

=== Road ===
The [[A487 road|A487]] [[trunk road]] bisects the town, providing access to major urban areas along the North Wales coast and the [[Port of Holyhead]], via the [[A55 road|A55]] expressway. [[Llanberis]] at the foot of [[Snowdon]] can be reached via the [[A roads in Zone 4 of the Great Britain numbering scheme|A4086]], which heads east out of the town towards [[Capel Curig]].

=== Bike ===
Heading north out of the town is the [[Lôn Las Menai]] cycle path to nearby [[Y Felinheli]]. Heading south out of the town is the [[Lôn Eifion]] cycle path, which leads to [[Bryncir]], near [[Criccieth]]. The route provides views into the [[Snowdonia]] mountains, down along the [[Llŷn Peninsula]] and across to the [[Isle of Anglesey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discovergwynedd.com/en/points/list/C29/ |title=List Page |publisher=Discover Gwynedd |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118042853/http://www.discovergwynedd.com/en/points/list/C29 |archive-date=18 November 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

=== Air ===
[[Caernarfon Airport]] is {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} to the southwest, and offers pleasure flights and an aviation museum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caernarfonairport.co.uk/ |title=index |publisher=Caernarfonairport.co.uk |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005053235/http://www.caernarfonairport.co.uk/ |archive-date=5 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Foot ===
The [[Aber Swing Bridge]] is a pedestrian [[swing bridge]] that crosses over the Afon Seiont to connect pedestrians from the foreshore to the Watergate entrance in the centre of Caernarfon by the Caernarfon Castle.

==Education==
There are four primary schools in Caernarfon, Ysgol yr Hendre being the largest. The others are Ysgol y Gelli, Ysgol Santes Helen and Ysgol Maesincla. [[Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen]] is the single secondary school serving Caernarfon and the surrounding areas and currently has between 900 and 1000 pupils from ages 11 to 18. Ysgol Pendalar is a school for children with special needs. [[Coleg Menai]] is a [[further education]] college for adult learners.

==Notable people==
:''See [[:Category: People from Caernarfon]]''
[[File:Lewis Jones (Wladfa).jpg|thumb|140px|[[Lewis Jones (Patagonia)|Lewis Jones]], 1898]]
* [[Saint Elen]], late 4th-century founder of churches in Wales. 
* [[Edward II of England]] (1284–1327), [[King of England]] from 1307 to 1327.<ref name="EB1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Edward II. | volume= 8 |last1= Tout |first1= Thomas Frederick |author1-link= Thomas Frederick Tout | pages = 993&ndash;994 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Morris Williams (writer)|Morris Williams]] (1809–1874), clergyman and writer, known by his [[bardic name]] ''Nicander''
* [[Llewellyn Turner]] (1823-1903), deputy constable of Caernarfon Castle.
* [[William Henry Preece]] (1834–1913), an electrical engineer and inventor.  
* [[Lewis Jones (Patagonia)|Lewis Jones]] (1837-1904), one of the founders of the [[Y Wladfa|Welsh settlement]] in [[Patagonia]].
* [[David Lloyd George]] (1863–1945), [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister of the UK]] from 1916 to 1922. 
* [[Gwilym Edwards]] (1881–1963), Presbyterian minister, writer and academic 
* [[Lionel Rees]] (1884–1955), aviator, flying ace and recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]
* [[Maureen Peters (novelist)|Maureen Peters]] (1935–2008), an [[Historical fiction|historical novelist]] 
* [[Dafydd Wigley]] (born 1943), politician, [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|MP for Caernarfon]] from 1974 until 2001
* [[Sian Eleri]], BBC Radio 1 presenter
* [[Jamie Jones (DJ)|Jamie Jones]], DJ and producer

=== Sport ===
* [[Bryan Orritt]] (1937–2014), a professional footballer with over 370 club caps
* [[Barry Hughes]] (1937–2019), a professional footballer and manager, active primarily in the Netherlands
* [[Wyn Davies]] (born 1942), a footballer with 611 club caps and 34 for [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
* [[Tom Walley]] (born 1945), footballer with over 410 club caps
* [[Catrin Thomas]] (born 1964), ski mountaineer and mountain climber
* [[Waynne Phillips]] (born 1970), a professional footballer with over 470 club caps
* [[Nathan Craig]] (born 1991), a professional footballer

==Sport==
[[Caernarfon Town F.C.]] ({{langx|cy|Clwb Pêl Droed Tref Caernarfon}}) is a Welsh [[association football|football]] club based in the town, which currently plays in the [[Cymru Premier]], the top level for football in Wales. The club is nicknamed "the Canaries" because of its yellow and green strip.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caernarfontownfc.co.uk/ |title=Caernarfon Town FC |publisher=Caernarfon Town FC  |access-date=11 October 2020 }}</ref> Caernarfon Town plays at [[The Oval (Caernarfon)|The Oval]] which has a capacity of 3000 people and 250 seated people.

==Culture==
Caernarfon hosted the [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1862, 1894, 1906, 1921, 1935, 1959 and 1979. Unofficial National Eisteddfod events were also held there in 1877 and 1880.  Caernarfon also hosted the 30th annual [[Celtic Media Festival]] in March 2009. Cultural destinations include Galeri and Oriel Pendeitsh. Galeri is a creative enterprise centre that houses a gallery, a concert hall, a cinema, a number of companies, and a range of other creative and cultural spaces. Oriel Pendeitsh is a ground-floor exhibition space adjoining the Tourist Information Centre opposite Caernarfon Castle. The gallery has a varied and changing programme of exhibitions throughout the year.

==Food festival==
The Caernarfon Food Festival takes place in the town's streets including The Slate Quay (Cei Llechi) and Castle Square (the Maes), which is pedestrianised for the event. Stalls are also located along the promenade next to the [[Menai Strait]] towards the marina and Doc Fictoria.<ref name="Daily Post">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/what-you-need-know-years-14642103|title=What you need to know about the Caernarfon food festival which is expected to bring thousands to town|first=Hywel|last=Trewyn|date=10 May 2018|website=North Wales Live}}</ref>

[[File:Shops on the Maes in Caernarfon - geograph.org.uk - 807785.jpg|thumb|right|Shops on the Maes, Caernarfon]]

The festival was formed in 2015 as a result of public consultation within the town. The first festival was held in 2016. It is organised by the Caernarfon Food Festival Group which is made up of local volunteers who hold regular meetings to plan each festival. The festival has a number of support groups, including a content group, sponsorship group, technical group, communication group and volunteer group. These groups feed into the main group's monthly meetings. The festival logo was inspired by contributions from pupils at [[Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen]] and designed by Iestyn Lloyd of Cwmni Da.<ref name="Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon"/><ref name="My Llandudno">{{Cite web|url=https://www.myllandudno.co.uk/event/caernarfon-food-festival/|title=CAERNARFON FOOD FESTIVAL}}</ref> The festival has been supported by [[Welsh Government]] through the Food Festival Grant Scheme and was highly commended by Food Awards Wales in 2019.<ref name="Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon">{{Cite web|url=https://swshi.co.uk/events/2019/5/11/gwyl-fwyd-caernarfon-food-festival-2019|title=Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon Food Festival 2019|website=Swshi}}</ref> Car parking is provided at the Slate Quay (Cei Llechi) and at other car parks around the town while the [[Welsh Highland Railway]] provides transport from [[Porthmadog]].<ref name="Daily Post"/> Cycle access is by the cycle tracks along the disused railway lines which include Lôn Las Eifion, which runs from Porthmadog, by-passing [[Penygroes, Gwynedd|Penygroes]] and on to Caernarfon, Lôn Las Menai from [[Y Felinheli]] to Caernarfon and Lôn Las Peris from [[Llanberis]] to Caernarfon.<ref name="Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon"/>

==Freedom of the Town==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Town]] of Caernarfon.

{{Incomplete list|date=August 2020}}

===Individuals===

===Military Units===
* The [[Royal Welch Fusiliers]]: 1946.
* The [[Royal Welsh]]: 25 April 2009.<ref name="dailypost.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-flintshire-2792189|title=Royal Welsh to receive freedom of Flintshire and Caernarfon|first=North Wales Daily|last=Post|date=23 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5IOsKWdvtk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/R5IOsKWdvtk| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=Royal Welsh Freedom of The Royal Town of Caernarfon|last=CaernarfonOnline|date=25 April 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name=Coflein>{{cite web 
  |url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/33011/details/CAERNARFON%3B+CAERNARVON/
  |title=Caernarfon; Caernarvon
  |work=Coflein
  |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
  |first=M. Lloyd
  |last=Davies
  |date=19 January 2009
  |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Arnold |title=Caernarfon Castle and Town Walls |location=Cardiff |publisher=Cadw – Welsh Historic Monuments |year=1997 |orig-year=1953 |edition=4th |isbn=1-85760-042-8 }}
*[https://cadw.gov.wales/docs/cadw/publications/Urban_Character_Caernarfon_Waterfront_EN.pdf Caernarfon Waterfront: Understanding Urban Caracter, published by Cadw, 2010]

==External links==
*[https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9018519/Caernarfon Encyclopædia Britannica Caernarfon]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Carnarvon | volume= 5 | page = 360 |short= 1}}

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[[Category:Caernarfon| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Former county towns in Wales]]
[[Category:Registered historic parks and gardens in Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Listed buildings in Gwynedd]]