Caernarfon Castle, one of the medieval world’s greatest buildings, has announced the completion of a three-year conservation and development project at The King's Gate, the castle’s principal gatehouse, providing access to areas of the castle not seen close-up for centuries.

The King’s Gate, Caernarfon Castle © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

This major £5 million investment has seen a rooftop deck installation and new flooring in the gatehouse towers. It also includes the installation of a lift that allows access for all to the upper levels, which is believed to be a first for any similar UK World Heritage Site. The project will ensure that the castle is welcoming and accessible and continues to make a valuable contribution to the economy of the surrounding area.  

Central to the enhancement project is new artistic interpretation, focusing on the theme: ‘the hands that built the castle’. This modern approach to interpretation aims to present the story of the castle from a different perspective, encouraging visitors to re-think how they perceive the site’s history.

Caernarfon Castle © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

The floor levels of the gatehouse towers have been re-installed, new steps have been built from the first floor to the new rooftop deck, and a lightweight glazed lift provides step-free access to the rooftop. A new catering outlet, educational and retail spaces were also included in the work.

Artist’s impression of the enhancements © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

Following such extensive development work, Cadw – the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, is encouraging visitors of all ages and abilities to witness the outstanding views from the upper embattlements on the rooftop deck, previously unseen for centuries.

The King’s Gate embattlements © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

Caernarfon Castle in North Wales was built in the late 13th century by King Edward I and forms part of the ‘Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The four castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, and the attendant fortified towns at Conwy and Caernarfon, are the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. The castles form a stylistically coherent group and were largely the work of the greatest military engineer of the time, James of St George.

Caernarfon Castle © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

The enhancements scheme was supported by the Welsh Government and by £1.04 million from the European Regional Development Fund through the Tourism Attractor Destination Programme, that is managed by Visit Wales. Delivery of the project was supported by Buttress Architects and Grosvenor Construction.

Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport in the Welsh Government, said: “Making our historic sites more accessible is a fantastic — and necessary — way of caring for Wales’ historical monuments for the benefit of present and future generations.

“Enhancement projects like this one ensures that everybody can access Welsh history and learn more about the nation’s heritage. Cadw’s new interpretation will further support this, inviting visitors to discover the lesser-known stories of the castle’s history.

“This is the latest development in Caernarfon as the town has also benefitted from an extensive and ongoing development programme of investment to further enhance its status as an iconic and “must see” destination in Wales.”

Caernarfon Castle © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales

Gwilym Hughes, Head of Cadw, said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors of all abilities to experience this area of the fortress for the first time in centuries, and hope that our new interpretation will provide new ways for visitors to understand the castle’s story.

“’The hands that built the castle’ interpretation will encourage visitors to do just that — by focusing on the community and workers of the castle, whose stories are often footnotes rather than the focus of historical interpretation.

"This new interpretation will demonstrate the skill and knowledge that went into building the castle that is now a World Heritage site. It also provides a context that will allow a fuller understanding of a time of intense conflict between the indigenous Welsh princes and the English monarchy.”

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, added: “We regularly take tour groups to Caernarfon Castle and it is extremely popular with our visitors. The latest enhancements are sure to make the castle an even more attractive destination for travellers from all over the world.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Wales, including a visit to Caernarfon Castle and some of the country's many other majestic castles and medieval towns, please do contact our friendly team today.