Criccieth is a community and also community on the Llyn peninsula in the Eifionydd location of Gwynedd in Wales. The town lies 5 miles (8 km) west of Porthmadog, 9 miles (14 km) east of Pwllheli and also 17 miles (27 km) south of Caernarfon. It had a population of 1,826 in 2001, reducing to 1,753 at the 2011 census. The town is a seaside resort, popular with family members. Destinations consist of the ruins of Criccieth Castle, which have comprehensive views over the community and also surrounding countryside. Nearby on Ffordd Castell (Castle Way) is Cadwalader's Ice Cream Parlour, opened in 1927, whilst Stryd Fawr (High Street) has a number of bistro-style restaurants. In the centre exists Y Maes ("The Field", or community square), part of the original medieval town common. The town is noted for its fairs, held on 23 May and 29 June each year, when multitudes of individuals visit the fairground as well as the marketplace which spreads via much of the streets of the community. Famous people associated with the community consist of the British head of state, David Lloyd George, that grew up in the close-by village of Llanystumdwy, and poet William George. Group Captain Leslie Bonnet, RAF policeman, writer and also producer of the Welsh Harlequin Duck and also his better half Joan Hutt, musician, both lived at Ymwlch simply outside Criccieth from 1949 till their fatalities in 1985. Criccieth held the National Eisteddfod in 1975 as well as in 2003 was given Fairtrade Town standing. It won the Wales in Bloom competition yearly from 1999 to 2004. The town styles itself the "Pearl of Wales on the Shores of Snowdonia".