Caernarfon Castle (5 November 2024)

 


When we got up the next morning we were greeted with a wonderful view across to Anglesey that was spoilt, unfortunately,  by the news that Trump had won the US elections.  We are living in interesting times as one wise sage said many years ago. 

 

Caernarfon Castle was one of our destinations for the day. Getting there was almost straight forward.  As usual I missed a turn due to the ambiguity of the instructions from Amanda (who seems to have followed us from the Qashquai).  Eventually after a couple of u turns we found the castle or at least parking that was nice and close to it. 


 

After a coffee stop we went exploring.  I had thought that it would be a quick look around but there was much to explore and we ended up spending a lot of time in it.  “The first fortification on the site was a motte-and-bailey castle built in the late 11th century, which King Edward I of England began to replace with the current stone structure in 1283. The castle and town established by Edward acted as the administrative centre of north Wales, and as a result the defences were built on a grand scale.”



A sculpture of the tools of the stonemasons and rocks the worked on

 

It was well presented and looked great inside and outside.  So different to the French castles and more like the one in Northern Ireland.

 

Next stop several hours later was Glynllifon Park. The GPS took us on what was meant to be the fastest way to Glynllifon Park.  It was of course through very narrow lanes where I prayed that we would not meet someone coming along the road at the wrong time and my luck held.


 

We were told that the mansion was up for sale for a mere £2m.  It was not occupied.  The park was associated with the mansion and I assume that a large farm was also part of it. 

 

We were told to follow the creek and it was a lovely walk with lots of trees.  There was an old mill that later had been converted to provide hydro electric power for the estate.  Whether it still operated we were not clear.  In one area a children’s version of a mill had been created by an owner and the remains of that were still to be seen.  The mansion was rather grand, not the most amazing in Britain I suspect.  It has 144 rooms.  Imagine the cost of heating and lighting it.  On the estate there were also houses for the workers.  They now seem to have another purpose.  Further up the valley was an amazing amphitheatre that is still used to provide entertainment in the summer. 

The Mansion


The amphitheatre

 

It was getting dark when we exited and made our way back to the our apartment.  That is the only downside of travelling at this time of the year with daylight effectively gone by about 4pm due to the overcast conditions. 

 

Since we have been in the UK and Ireland we have not seen the sun except for the occasional shaft of light.  But for the most part it has not rained.



The stream in the park

One of three fountains leading to the mansion

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