Caernarfon

Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon
Location within Gwynedd
Population	9,852 (2011 census)
OS grid reference	SH485625
• Cardiff	171 miles (275 km)
Principal area	Gwynedd
Ceremonial county	Gwynedd
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CAERNARFON
Postcode district	LL54, LL55
Dialling code	01286
Police	North Wales
Fire	North Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Arfon
List of places UK Wales Gwynedd 53°08′N 4°16′W / 53.14°N 4.27°W / 53.14; -4.27

Caernarfon, officially the Caernarfon Royal Town (pronounced Kyer-narvon), is a royal town and community in Gwynedd, an area of Wales. It has a population of 9,852 people, according to the 2011 census.

It is 8.6 miles (13.8 km) south-west of the city of Bangor and 19.4 miles (31.2 km) north of Porthmadog. It is on the Menai Strait, opposite Anglesey. The A487 goes through the town.

It is a royal town. Queen Elizabeth II made Caernarfon a royal borough in 1963. Since 1974, the town has not been a borough but was allowed to keep its royal title.

The town is home to Caernarfon Castle, a castle that was built between 1283 and 1330 by order of King Edward I.

Since 2016, Caernarfon has hosted the Caernarfon Food Festival. It takes place every year.

Caernarfon has one of the highest percentages of Welsh language speakers in the whole of Wales.

Caernarfon has one twin town. It is twinned with:

• Landerneau, France

• 
  Caernarfon Dock
• 
  Market Street
• 
  Afon Seiont