Caernarfon

ONE OF THREE castles begun by Edward in 1283 (along with Conwy and Harlech) and as his administrative centre in Wales it was built big, with walls encircling the town. It cost around twice the annual tax receipts of the whole of England. But what a lot the King got for his money! A magnificent statement of polygonal-towered power, between Snowdon and the Menai Strait. It last saw fighting in 1646, and was ordered to be demolished in 1660 – though understandably, it seems nobody could face starting the job.