Royal Welsh Yacht Club

Porth Yr Aur and the town walls were constructed on the instruction of Edward I in order to consolidate his conquest and occupation of North Wales on 1283. Caernarfon became the main base of English power in North Wales and the borough of Caernarfon was created under the statute of Wales in 1284. The decline of the walls was arrested in the 19th century as parts were acquired for use in housing and offices, as the towns population expanded significantly due to the booming slate trade

Porth yr Aur was built as the western gate to the city of Caernarfon, built as a twin towered gatehouse with a projecting barbican, as it was the only route into the city from the quayside. The towers are crenelated two story round towers, in contrast to the Polygonal towers of the castle. The single story barbican, built from coursed limestone, is similarly crenelated, with projecting corner turrets. One of the Napoleonic era canon is still in place on the gate.