Holyhead, Wales

Castles of Wales

Penrhyn and Caernarfon: A Norman Manor and a Royal Fortress Cross over the Menai Strait to the Welsh mainland to visit two very impressive Welsh castles. Penrhyn Castle was completed in 1837 by Thomas Hopper, and designed in a Gothic style with a Moorish flavor. The extensive grounds, which you can discover after your self-guided tour of the castle, include formal gardens, semi-wooded walks and a Victorian walled garden. Following lunch in the seaside town of Caernarfon, your tour takes you to Caernarfon Castle. Of the four castles in northern Wales built by order of King Edward I, this is the most magnificent. Caernarfon Castle’s symbolic status was reinforced when Edward made sure that his son, the first Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284. In more recent times, King Charles III was crowned Prince of Wales here in a glittering ceremony in 1969. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.