CARNARVON, ancient market town, municipal and con tributory parliamentary borough, seaport and county town of Car narvonshire, North Wales, 681m. W. of Chester by the coastal L.M.S.R. Pop. (1931), 8.469. It stands near the south-western end of the Menai straits, at the mouth of the Seiont. The settle ment dates from mediaeval days; though only 1m. away is the site of the Roman Segontium. Its famous castle, begun for Ed ward I. in 1284, though little more than a shell, is a most impos ing monument, occupying some Sac. at the angle between the Seiont and the straits. It is now public property, under the care of a constable. The town walls (1284-85), enclosing an area to the north of the castle, are almost intact. To the south-east is Llan beblig, the mother-church of Carnarvon, with a 14th-century north chapel. From the little harbour a ferry crosses to Anglesey. The slates of the Llanberis district are exported. The town has few industries; it is best known as a tourist centre for the Snowdon country. It is an ancient parliamentary borough contributory to the Carnarvon district of boroughs, returning one member. Near the town is a wireless telegraphy station. The county quarter ses sions and assizes are held in the town, which has a separate com mission of the peace, but no separate court of quarter sessions.