Explore
Walk through the courtyards that were designed to be the domestic center of the fortress.
The inner grounds of Caernarfon Castle consist of two large open areas. These are the Upper Ward and the Lower Ward. Together, they outline the footprint of the royal palace.
King Edward I planned for extensive domestic buildings here. Many were never finished, but the surviving stone foundations clearly show the intended layout.
15 mins
This is the eastern courtyard of the castle. It was originally planned to house the royal apartments. Look closely at the ground-level foundations. They help you imagine the massive scale of the buildings that were never completed.
15 minsPhoto spot
The western courtyard once contained the Great Hall, kitchens, and other domestic buildings. Today, it remains a wide, open grassy area. This space provides excellent, unobstructed angles for photographing the surrounding interior walls.
