Reasons to camp out in Caernarfon are more numerous than your tent pegs.
Caernarfon is best-known worldwide for its castle—undeniably ranking among Great Britain’s finest mediaeval buildings. The fortress and town walls are a Unesco World Heritage Site also encompassing King Edward I’s other formidable fortifications at Harlech, Beaumaris and Conwy. But there is more to this town on the Menai Strait: primarily, its proximity to show-stopping nature. Snowdonia National Park brushes Caernarfon’s edge, with Snowdon, loftiest peak in Wales or England, close by, and a dreamy expanse of coastline rims the Llyn Peninsula just south and continues over on nearby Isle of Anglesey. A few miles from the castle are a handful of campsites offering dependable, convenient pitching.
One of the UK’s most popular outdoor destinations—and Britain’s highest land south of the Scottish Highlands—Snowdon commands attention from any North Wales-bound visitor. The gateway village, from where trails and rails run up the peak, is Llanberis, eight miles inland from Caernarfon. While it’s busy up Snowdon, plot a hike away from it and you’ll find glorious mountain country with ample trail space to yourself.
Anglesey is Wales’ largest island, and its beguiling sandy coastline is a big attraction for beach-lovers, swimmers and walkers—with a coast path running around the entire shore. It’s accessed by road bridge over the Menai Strait eight miles northeast of Caernarfon. After this, it’s a few miles’ drive southwest to the campsites clustered near Southern Anglesey’s beach, the wide, powdery, forest-backed sands of Traeth Llanddwyn.
Travel the coast south from Caernarfon and after 11 miles, the low-lying Llyn Peninsula and its AONB begin to fan out. This tranquil green finger of land, protruding some 30 miles into the sea, has some of North Wales’ best beaches and famously challenging surfing at Porth Neigwl. Walking is excellent too—as is cycling on the quiet lanes. Excellent campsites lie scattered across the Llyn.
Weather varies wildly between the coast and the high peaks of Snowdonia National Park. You can usually depend on some wind and rain during your stay, even in summer. Caernarfon does get crowded during July and August school holidays: come outside these months if possible. May’s Caernarfon Food Festival, and mediaeval re-enactments in Caernarfon Castle during May and August, are atmospheric times in Caernarfon itself.