Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales's castles. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily sets it apart from the rest, and to this day, still trumpet in no uncertain terms the intention of its builder Edward I.

Begun in 1283 as the definitive chapter in his conquest of Wales, Caernarfon was constructed not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and royal palace.

The castle's majestic persona is no architectural accident: it was designed to echo the walls of Constantinople, the imperial power of Rome and the dream castle, 'the fairest that ever man saw', of Welsh myth and legend. After all these years Caernarfon's immense strength remains unchanged.

Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress (with its unique polygonal towers, intimidating battlements and colour banded masonry) dominates the walled town also founded by Edward I. Caernarfon's symbolic status was emphasized when Edward made sure that his son, the first English Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284. In 1969, the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.

History comes alive at Caernarfon in so many ways - along the lofty wall walks, beneath the twin-towered gatehouse and within imaginative exhibitions located within the towers. The castle also houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Wales's oldest regiment.

Caernarfon's position of pre-eminence in historic rankings is recognized in its status as a World Heritage inscribed site.

The beautiful Isle of Anglesey - rich in ancient history is located off the north west tip of Wales. Anglesey is the largest island in England & Wales, yet has a relatively small population of approximately 65,000. The name Anglesey is of Viking origin.

Anglesey is surrounded by sandy beaches and rocky coasts with caves, with the inland part of the island for the most part being agricultural, but these days many of Anglesey's farmers have diversified into providing holiday accommodation or themed attractions. Not forgetting RAF Valley of course - where Prince William is currently stationed as a serving RAF Officer Pilot.

There are abundant and well preserved remains from the Neolithic and Bronze ages, and native settlements from the Celtic period. All in all, Anglesey is an island with plenty to see and do, without finding yourself in a constant crowd.

Pre Cambrian rock (some of the oldest rocks in Britain) covers approximately two thirds of Anglesey. Anglesey is the driest county in Wales and has a prevailing south westerly wind. Anglesey has a greater proportion of lowlands than any other county in Wales, with Holyhead mountain being the highest point at just 720 feet. There are only eight other `high` places on Anglesey, ranging from 480 to 585 feet high.

The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3,560 ft (1,085m). In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. One assumption is that the name is derived from eryr ("eagle") but others state that it means quite simply Highlands, as leading Welsh scholar Sir Ifor Williams proved. In the Middle Ages the title Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia (Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri) was used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd; his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr used the title Prince of North Wales and Lord of Snowdonia.

Prior to the designation of the boundaries of the National Park, the term "Snowdonia" was generally used to refer to a much smaller area, namely the upland area of northern Gwynedd centred on the Snowdon massif, whereas the national park covers an area more than twice that size extending far to the south into Meirionnydd. This is apparent in books published prior to 1951 such as the classic travelogue Wild Wales by George Borrow (1862) and The Mountains of Snowdonia by H. Carr & G. Lister (1925). F. J. North, as editor of the book Snowdonia (1949), states "When the Committee delineated provisional boundaries, they included areas some distance beyond Snowdonia proper." The traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture.
 

Snowdonia National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) was established in 1951 as the third National Park in Britain, following the Peak District and the Lake District. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline.

The Park is governed by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, which is made up of local government and Welsh representatives, and its main offices are at Penrhyndeudraeth. Unlike national parks in other countries, Snowdonia (and other such parks in Britain) are made up of both public and private lands under central planning authority.

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PLAS DINORWIC COUNTRY HOUSE RESORT HOTEL,  FFORDD SIABOD, DINORWIC MARINA, Y FELINHELI, CAERNARFON, GWYNEDD LL56 4XA. GPS Co-Ordinates 53.1877, -4.20683 PHONE 0800 3283910. FAX 01248 670300.

EMAIL US HERE, plasdinorwic@btconnect.com

Please contact us for rates & availability. Reception open daily for enquiries & bookings from 9am to 9pm. Outside of these hours please refer to our “online” booking service!

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(Please note - the village was formerly known as Port Dinorwic / Dinorwic Marina)

Previously rated AA 4* Guest Accommodation / 3* Hotel. Ideally located for Caernarfon, Bangor, Bangor University, North West Wales, West Wales, North Wales, Gwynedd, Snowdon, Snowdonia National Park, Menai Straits, Isle of Anglesey & The Sea Ferry Port Terminal at Holyhead plus Anglesey Airport!