More on The Black Boy

This was the disreputable end of town - the heart of the red light district when Caernarfon was a thriving port. The Welsh name for the street is Stryd Pedwar a Chwech (Four and Six Street) and it is suggested that four shillings and sixpence was the price for a bottle of stong liquor, a woman and a bed for the night.

The Black Boy pub, formerly the King's Head and the Fleur de Lys, is situated here now and there are least three theories to explain its name.

One relates to a black boy brought into the country on a ship; another suggests it's a navigational buoy; the third refers to the nickname given to Charles II by his mother and the fact that Royalists met here secretly at that time.

The Northgate was not one of the original points of access through the town walls. It was added in the 19th century to improve traffic flow.

To return to the starting point continue along Northgate Street, through the archway. Cross the road and carry straight on until you reach Galeri.