Caernarfon Town Walls and Slate Quay

Summary

A medieval walled town at the foot of the Menai Strait — the 13th-century town walls running intact around the Welsh-speaking old town, with the Slate Quay and a working harbour below the castle.

About this location

Caernarfon is a walled medieval town in north Wales on the south bank of the Menai Strait at the point where the Seiont river meets the strait. The town walls — built by Edward I as part of the Edwardian castle and town complex from 1283 — are almost completely intact, forming a circuit of around 800 metres with towers and gates. The interior of the walled town is a dense network of narrow streets, Georgian and Victorian commercial buildings, and an active Welsh-language community.

Below the castle, the Slate Quay (Y Maes and the Victoria Dock area) was the point of export for Snowdonian slate through the 19th century. The quayside and dock area retains some of the original port infrastructure and gives views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey. The castle (World Heritage Site, managed by Cadw) is adjacent to the town but separately managed.

For productions, the walled town gives a complete medieval town plan with Georgian infill — rare in Britain. The Welsh-language street signage and community character gives a specific Welsh identity that is difficult to substitute elsewhere. Gwynedd Council handles filming permits for public areas.