Black Boy Inn facts for kids
The Black Boy Inn is a famous hotel and public house in Caernarfon, Wales. It is one of the oldest inns in North Wales, believed to have opened in 1522. You can find it inside the old medieval walls of Caernarfon, very close to the famous Caernarfon Castle.
What's in a Name?
Before 1828, this inn was simply called the 'Black Boy'. Over time, its name changed a few times. It was called the 'King's Arms' for a while. Later, it became the 'Fleur de Lys'. But when new owners took over, they brought back the original name. Now, it is known as the "Black Boy Inn" once again.
The signs for the Inn show two different pictures. On one side, you might see a 'black buoy'. A buoy is a floating marker used in water. On the other side, you might see a 'black boy'.
There are a few ideas about where the name 'Black Boy' came from. One idea is that it refers to a black buoy in the nearby harbour. Another popular theory connects it to Charles II of England. His mother called him 'Black Boy' because of his dark hair and eyes. Royalists, who supported Charles II, used to meet secretly at the Inn. Later, local fishermen often visited the Inn. Some people think the name 'black boy' might have come from this time.
A Look at History
The 'North Gate' archway was added around the 1820s. This archway helped people and traffic move in and out of the old town. It is not part of the original medieval town wall. Before this archway, the street where the Inn stands was called 'Black Boy' street.
The earliest mention of the "Black Boy" dates back to 1717. This was in a document about selling a house on "Street Y Black Boy".
The Black Boy Inn is a very special building. It is listed as a Grade II building. This means it is an important historic building. It is one of the few 17th-century buildings in Caernarfon that still has some of its original inside features.
The Inn Today
The Black Boy Inn is a special kind of pub called a "free house". This means it is owned by an independent family business. It is not part of a big chain. This is quite rare in the United Kingdom.
During some repair work in 2009, workers found old items under the dining room floor. They discovered a child's shoe, old clay pipes, and a coin from around 1860. In the upstairs rooms, they found old wooden beams. These beams are thought to have come from old sailing ships.
The Black Boy Inn has won awards for its drinks. In 2008 and 2009, it received the Cask Marque award for its cask ales. These are traditional beers. It is also listed in the CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. This guide features the best places in the United Kingdom to enjoy real ale.
