Excursions In North Wales - free ebook by John Hicklin

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Excursions In North Wales

John Hicklin

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EXCURSIONS IN NORTH WALES:

EXCURSIONS IN NORTH WALES:

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE TOURIST THROUGH THAT ROMANTIC COUNTRY; CONTAINING DESCRIPTIONS OF ITS PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES, HISTORICAL ANTIQUITIES AND MODERN WONDERS. EDITED BY JOHN HICKLIN, OF THE CHESTER COURANT. LONDON: WHITTAKER AND CO.; HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO.; LONGMAN AND CO.; AND SIMPKIN AND CO. R. GROOMBRIDGE &amp; SONS. W. CURRY AND CO., DUBLIN. GEORGE PRICHARD (LATE SEACOME &amp; PRICHARD), CHESTER. 1847....

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INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.

The ancient City of Chester is unquestionably the most attractive and convenient starting-place, from which should commence the journey of the tourist, who is desirous of exploring the beautiful and romantic country of North Wales, with its lovely valleys, its majestic mountains, its placid lakes, its rushing torrents, its rural retreats, and its picturesque castles. Before leaving Chester, however, it will amply repay the intelligent traveller to devote some time to the examination of the many

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GLOSSARY.

GLOSSARY.

The English traveller, in passing through North Wales, will find the following Welsh terms frequently occur in the names of places; to which are subjoined their significations in English. Ab , or Ap , a prefix to proper names, signifying the son of Aber , the fall of one water into another, a confluence. Am , about, around. Ar , upon, bordering upon. Avon , or Afon , a river. Bach , little, small. Ban , high, lofty, tall. Bedd , a grave or sepulchre. Bettws , a station between hill and vale. Bla

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NORTH WALES DISTANCE TABLE

NORTH WALES DISTANCE TABLE

Distance from Chester. Distance from London. 46 Aberconway or Conway, f. (market day) 230 34 Abergele 12 Abergele, s. 225 39 Bala 32 45 Bala, s. 195 61 Bangor 15 27 46 Bangor, f. 242 68 Beaumaris 22 34 53 7 Beaumaris, tu. and f. 249 70 Caernarvon 24 36 41 9 13 Caernarvon, s. 244 31 Corwen 35 32 12 49 50 Corwen, w. and f. 194 25 Denbigh 23 14 26 37 44 46 18 Denbigh, w. and s. 214 57 Dolgelley 50 58 47 51 38 30 44 Dolgelley, tu. and s. 213 14 Flint 34 23 49 56 58 26 17 52 203 69 Haerlech 45 34 36

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ABER, (Caernarvonshire.)

ABER, (Caernarvonshire.)

Distance from Miles . Port Penrhyn 5 Llanvair Vechan 2 Conway 9 Penmaen Mawr 3 Llandegai 3½ London 245 Aber , or, as it is called by way of distinction, Aber-gwyngregyn, the Stream of the White Shells, is a small neat village, situated on the Holyhead and Chester road, near the Lavan Sands, at the extremity of a luxuriant vale watered by the river Gwyngregyn, which runs into the Irish sea; it commands a fine view of the entrance into the Menai, with the islands of Anglesea and Priestholme, and t

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ABERDARON, (Caernarvonshire.)

ABERDARON, (Caernarvonshire.)

Caernarvon 36 Nevyn 16 Pwllheli This is a miserably poor village, at the very extremity of Caernarvonshire, seated in a bay, beneath some high and sandy cliffs. On the summit of a promontory are the ruins of a small church, called Capel Vair, or Chapel of our Lady. The chapel was placed here to give the seamen an opportunity of invoking the tutelar saint for protection through the dangerous sound. Not far distant, are also the ruins of another chapel, called Anhaelog. At this spot, pilgrim

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ABERDOVEY, (Merionethshire.)

ABERDOVEY, (Merionethshire.)

Aberystwyth across the sands 11 Barmouth 16 Dolgellau 21 Machynlleth 10 Towyn 4 This is a small sea-port in the parish of Towyn, and about four miles from that place. It is pleasantly situated on the northern side of the mouth of the river Dovey, which here empties itself into Cardigan bay, and is rapidly rising into estimation as a bathing place. The beach is highly favourable for bathing, being composed of hard firm sand, affording a perfectly safe carriage-drive of about eight miles in leng

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ABERFFRAW, (Anglesea.)

ABERFFRAW, (Anglesea.)

Caernarvon Ferry 3 Mona Inn 8 Newborough 7 Aberffraw, once a princely residence, is now reduced to a few small houses; it is situated on the river Ffraw, near a small bay. Not a vestige is to be seen of its former importance, except the rude wall of an old barn, and Gardd y Llys, at the west end of the town. It was a chief seat of the native princes, and one of the three courts of justice for the Principality. Here was always kept one of the three copies of the ancient code of laws. This pla

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ABERGELE, (Denbighshire.)

ABERGELE, (Denbighshire.)

Bangor 27 Chester 35 Conway 12 London 225 Rhuddlan 5 Rhyl 7 St. Asaph 8 Abergele, [8] a market town, is pleasantly situated on the great Chester and Holyhead road, on the edge of Rhuddlan marsh, and about a mile from the sea shore. The church is ancient, with a plain uninteresting tower, which the white-washing hand of modern “improvement” has deprived of all pretensions to the picturesque. The town consists only of one long street; and in 1841, its population, with the parish, was returned at

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ABERYSTWYTH, (Cardiganshire.)

ABERYSTWYTH, (Cardiganshire.)

Aberdovey 11 Devil’s Bridge 12 Llanidloes 30 London, by Ross 217 Machynlleth 18 [It may be necessary to apprise the reader, that though this work is professedly a description of North Wales only , it has been thought advisable to deviate from the letter of its title, so far as to include within its pages the above distinguished town, and that great and attractive curiosity, the Devil’s Bridge; both of which, situated in Cardiganshire, the North Wales tourist usually visits, the town being only 1

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AMLWCH. (Anglesea.)

AMLWCH. (Anglesea.)

Beaumaris 16 Holyhead 20 Llanerch-y-medd 6 Menai Bridge 18 This is a market town on the coast, chiefly supported by the copper mines, with which the surrounding district abounds. About the year 1766, Amlwch had not more than half-a-dozen houses in the whole parish, but now it contains a population exceeding 6000. It has a capacious harbour, cut out of the solid rock or slate, executed at the expense of the mining companies, capable of admitting thirty vessels of 200 tons burthen, where origina

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BALA, (Merionethshire.)

BALA, (Merionethshire.)

Corwen 12 Dinas Mowddwy 18 Dolgellau 17 Ffestiniog 19 London 207 Mawr Twrog 22 Bala, or the Outlet of the Lake, is a small neat town consisting of one long street, with two or three others crossing at right angles, and a population of about 2500. There are two good inns here, the White Lion and the Bull’s Head, the former being an excellent posting house. This town is noted for its trade in woollen stockings, woollen comfortables, and Welsh wigs. Mr. Pennant remarks, that in his time, on a Sa

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BANGOR. (Caernarvonshire.)

BANGOR. (Caernarvonshire.)

Abergele 27 Beaumaris, by the bridge 6½ Caernarvon 9 Capel Curig 14½ Conway Holyhead 24 London, by Chester 251 — by Shrewsbury 237 Plas Newydd 5 Penmaen Mawr 8½ Bangor, (from ban côr, the high and beautiful choir,) is a small but neatly built town, and the most ancient see in the Principality. Its present population, 7232. It has been much improved within the last few years, especially since the erection of the Menai Bridge, which has attracted numerous visitors anxious to see one of the fines

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BANGOR IS-Y-COED, (Flintshire.)

BANGOR IS-Y-COED, (Flintshire.)

Chester 13 Ellesmere 8 Holt 7 Overton 3 Whitchurch 10½ Wrexham 5 Bangor Is-y-coed stands in a detached part of the country, on the banks of the Dee, over which is a good stone bridge of five arches, from the vicinity of which a beautiful landscape is presented. This place is celebrated as the site of the most ancient monastery in Britain, founded, as old writers assert, by Lucius, the son of Coel, and first Christian king of Britain, prior to the year 180. Lucius formed it into a university, f

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BARMOUTH OR ABERMAW, (Merionethshire.)

BARMOUTH OR ABERMAW, (Merionethshire.)

Aberdovey 16 Dolgelley 10 Harlech London 225 Towyn 12 The town of Barmouth is seated near the bottom of some high mountains, many of the houses being built on the steep sides; and viewed from the sea, it resembles a fortress of some strength, hanging immediately over the sands. The town stands near to the sea, at the mouth of the Maw or Mawddach, and takes its name of Barmouth, i.e. Abermaw or Mawddach, from that circumstance. At high water, the tide here forms a bay above a mile over, but the

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BEAUMARIS, (Anglesea.)

BEAUMARIS, (Anglesea.)

Amlwch 17 Bangor, by the bridge 6½ Caernarvon 12 Conway 14½ Holyhead 27 London, by Chester 258 — by Shrewsbury 243 Mona 14 Snowdon 12 Beaumaris, a most respectable and well-built town, in Anglesea, is a corporate borough, where the assizes for that county are held. The town and liberties are included in the parishes of Llandegvan and Llanvaes: the whole occupying a district nearly semi-circular in form, and presenting to the Menai a bold rocky cliff of three miles, and an indented beach of more

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BEDDGELERT, (Caernarvonshire.)

BEDDGELERT, (Caernarvonshire.)

Aber-glaslyn 1½ Caernarvon 13 Llanberis 12 Snowdon Summit 6 Tan-y-Bwlch 10 Tre-Madoc 7 Beddgelert, a village most charmingly situated in a beautiful tract of meadows, at the junction of three vales, near the conflux of the Gwynnant and the Colwyn. The church is erected on the site of an ancient priory of Augustine monks, with which a convent for nuns was also incorporated. Part of the arches and clustered columns which supported the nave of the priory are still visible in the wall of the church

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BETTWS-Y-COED, (Caernarvonshire.)

BETTWS-Y-COED, (Caernarvonshire.)

Capel Curig 5 Cerniogau Mawr 9½ Llanrwst 4 Bettws-y-Coed (or Station in the Wood), a small village, pleasantly situated on the Shrewsbury and Holyhead road, not far distant from the junction of the Llugwy and the Conway. The church stands in a little cemetery in the centre of the vale, enclosed by a few stately forest trees, and forms a venerable and interesting object. It contains an old monument in memory of Griffith, the son of David Gôch, who was a natural son of David, brother to Llywelyn

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CADER IDRIS, (Merionethshire.)

CADER IDRIS, (Merionethshire.)

Dolgelley Dinas Mowddwy 11 Machynlleth 13 Towyn 15 These distances are computed from the summit of Cader Idris. The mountain of Cader Idris, in height the second in Wales, rises upon the sea-shore, close upon the northern side of the estuary of the small river Disynwy, about a mile from Towyn. It proceeds with almost a constant ascent, first northward for about three miles, then for ten miles further runs E. N. E. , giving out from its summit a branch nearly three miles long in a south-westerly

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CAERGWRLE, (Flintshire.)

CAERGWRLE, (Flintshire.)

Chester 12 Hawarden 6 Mold Wrexham 5 Caergwrle was once a flourishing town, but has dwindled into an insignificant village. Its parish church is about a mile distant. There is good reason for believing that Caergwrle was a Roman station, probably an outpost to Deva. Camden discovered here an hypocaust, hewn out of the solid rock, six yards and a quarter long, five yards broad, and somewhat more than half a yard in height. On some of the tiles were inscribed the letters, “Legio xx.” which see

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CAERNARVON.

CAERNARVON.

Bangor 9 Beaumaris 14 Beddgelert 13 Capel Curig 17 Dolbadarn Castle 10 Ffestiniog 25 Llanberis 8 London by Chester 254 — by Shrewsbury 236 Pwllheli 20 Tan-y-Bwlch 23 Tre-Madoc Caernarvon is the capital of the county, and is one of the largest and best towns in North Wales. It name is properly Caer yn Arvon, which signifies a walled town in the district opposite to Anglesea. Ar Vôn or Ar Môn implies opposite to Mona. “Caernarvon (we adopt the interesting and elegant description of Mr. Roscoe,)

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CAERWYS, (Flintshire.)

CAERWYS, (Flintshire.)

Chester 23 Denbigh 7½ Holywell 6 London 212 Mold 12 St. Asaph 7 Caerwys, formerly a market town, with the parish of the same name, contains about 1000 inhabitants, being situated on the high road leading from Holywell to Denbigh, through the beautiful Vale of Clwyd. Caerwys has the most considerable fairs for cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses, in all the country, though its markets have long since failed. The market-house still remains, but it has been converted, time out of mind, into a dwellin

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CAPEL CURIG, (Caernarvonshire,)

CAPEL CURIG, (Caernarvonshire,)

Bangor 14½ Beddgelert 12 Caernarvon 17 Cerniogau Mawr 15 Ffestiniog 20 Llanberis 10 Llanrwst Menai Bridge Capel Curig is most beautifully situated on the London and Holyhead road. From its vicinity to Snowdon and other mountains of note in this part of the Principality, and to several of the first lakes in North Wales, it has been for a long time much frequented by tourists; and since the diversion of the great Holyhead road through Nant Ffrancon, and the erection of a spacious hotel here by th

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CERIG-Y-DRUIDION, (Denbighshire.)

CERIG-Y-DRUIDION, (Denbighshire.)

Cerniogau 3 Corwen 10 Llanrwst 14 Pont-y-Glyn 4½ Ruthin 15 This is a pleasant village, so named from its being supposed to have been the abode of the Druids. In Camden’s time it was famed for some druidical remains. These ancient relics have long since been removed; they consisted of cromlechs and kist vaens , or stone chests. At Pen Gwerwyn, a hill about a mile to the east of the village, are some inconsiderable remains of a castle, of which tradition says that it once belonged to Caractacus.

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CERNIOGAU MAWR, (Denbighshire.)

CERNIOGAU MAWR, (Denbighshire.)

Capel Curig Cerig-y-Druidion 3 Corwen 13 Ruthin 18 Cerniogau Mawr is a hamlet of three or four small houses, in an elevated situation, on the London and Holyhead mail-road. Five miles on the road to Llanrwst is Gallt-y-Gwy, a terrace of more than two miles long. To the east appears the beautiful deep vale of Llanrwst, with Conway in the termination....

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CHESTER.

CHESTER.

Although this city is not strictly within the cognizance of our publication, yet its close proximity to North Wales, and the advantages which it offers as a starting point from which a tour of the Principality may be commenced, warrant us in devoting to it a passing notice. Chester abounds with objects of interest to the traveller; and its many antique relics of bygone ages never fail to excite the admiration of those who take pleasure in the quaint architecture, or historical memorials of form

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CHIRK, (Denbighshire.)

CHIRK, (Denbighshire.)

Llangollen 7 London 176 Oswestry 5 Ruabon 6 Chirk is pleasantly situated on the northern bank of the river Ceiriog, which, flowing through a small vale of great beauty, here separates the counties of Denbigh and Salop, and of course Wales and England. It is a very neat and clean village, and contains some highly respectable houses, and several substantial and well-built cottages, having been greatly improved within the last few years by the late Mrs. Myddelton Biddulph, who, on coming into poss

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CLYNOG, (Caernarvonshire.)

CLYNOG, (Caernarvonshire.)

Caernarvon 10 Llanllyfni 6 Pwllheli This beautiful village is situated on the turnpike-road, about equidistant between Caernarvon and Pwllheli. It has a remarkably fine gothic church, the tower of which rises very beautifully from among a verdant cluster of noble trees. St. Beuno, the reputed uncle of St. Winifred, erected the church and a grand mausoleum, now called St. Beuno’s chapel, which communicates with the church through a dark vaulted passage of six yards. In this chapel the remains o

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CONWAY, (Caernarvonshire.)

CONWAY, (Caernarvonshire.)

Aber 9 Abergele 12 Bangor 14½ Caernarvon 24 Llandulas Llanrwst London 236 Penmaen Mawr 6 This is one of the most interesting and picturesque towns in North Wales. The approach to the town from the Denbighshire side of the river is remarkably interesting, and presents a fine view of the noble castle and the beautiful suspension bridge, with the adjacent mountain scenery, forming a glorious panorama of surpassing loveliness and sublimity. The pearl fishery of the Conway, which even yet, though s

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CORWEN. (Merionethshire.)

CORWEN. (Merionethshire.)

Bala 12 Chester 33 Denbigh 20 Holyhead 67 Llangollen 10 London 193 Ruthin 12 Pentre Voelas 15 Corwen (the White Choir) is a small market-town on the London and Holyhead road, situated at the foot of the Berwyn mountains, on the bank of the Dee. The population (2199) is principally employed in agriculture. There is a good inn here, exhibiting the gigantic features of Owen Glyndwr, the renowned and formidable opponent of Henry the Fourth. Within the church, under an arch on the north side of the

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CRICAETH, (Caernarvonshire.)

CRICAETH, (Caernarvonshire.)

Beddgelert 11 Caernarvon 20 London 240 Pwllheli 8 Cricaeth, a little borough town, contributory to Caernarvon, with 811 inhabitants, is very irregularly built. Except the remains of its small castle, it contains nothing which can claim the attention of the traveller. This ruin stands on a rising ground, at the end of a long neck of land, jutting into the sea. The entrance into it is between two round towers; the others being all square. Edward the First is said to have founded this castle; a

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DENBIGH.

DENBIGH.

Abergele 13 Chester 28 Conway 25 Corwen 20 Holywell 14 Llanrwst 22 London by Chester 214 — by Shrewsbury 206 Mold 16 Ruthin 8 St. Asaph 6 Bodfary 4 Denbigh, the capital of the county, is situated on the declivity of a craggy hill, in the vale of Clwyd. This place was originally named by the Welsh Castell Caled-Vryn-yn-Rhôs (the Castle on the Craggy Hill in Rhôs), from the prominent situation of the castle in the ancient territory of that name. By the parliamentary returns of 1841, the populati

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DINAS MOWDDWY, (Merionethshire.)

DINAS MOWDDWY, (Merionethshire.)

Bala 18 Dolgelley 10 Llangollen 40 Machynlleth 13½ Mallwyd 1½ Dinas Mowddwy is an inconsiderable town, in the parish of Mallwyd, pleasantly situated on the shelf of a rock called Craig-y-Ddinas, near the margin of the small river Cerrist, at its conflux with the Dovey, and on the road from Dolgelley to Mallwyd, at the junction of three vales, each of which is inclosed by lofty mountains: it consists chiefly of one street. The principal building is the “Plâs,” or mansion, being the manor house o

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DISERTH, (Flintshire.)

DISERTH, (Flintshire.)

Holywell 9 Rhuddlan 2½ St. Asaph 5 The church of this village stands in a romantic situation, overshadowed with several large yews. There are some good paintings in the south window, and in the chancel is inscribed, “Sir John Conway, 1636.” The yard contains some singular tomb-stones; two in particular have a semi-circular stone upon their tops: also an ancient cross, adorned with wreaths, and another with some traces of a human figure, now inserted into the situation as a style. The latter i

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DOLGELLEY, (Merionethshire.)

DOLGELLEY, (Merionethshire.)

Bala 18 Barmouth 10 Chester 57 London 212 Machynlleth 16 Maen Twrog Towyn 17 Trawsfynedd 12 Dolgelley (the Dale of the Hazel) is the principal market town in Merionethshire, where the assizes are held alternately with Bala. It is situated in a wide and fertile vale, upon the river Wnion, over which is a stone bridge of seven arches, erected in 1638, but thoroughly repaired and enlarged some years ago. The town is surrounded by high and, in many parts, wooded mountains. There are many well-buil

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FFESTINIOG, (Merionethshire.)

FFESTINIOG, (Merionethshire.)

Caernarvon 25 Capel Curig 20 Bala 19 Maentwrog 2½ Tan-y-Bwlch Tremadoc 13 Ffestiniog is a small but increasing village, standing on eminence at the head of the beautiful vale of Maentwrog. The population amounts to 1648, principally employed in the slate quarries, about four miles from the village. The church is built in the ancient style of English architecture, and dedicated to St. Michael. A gallery has recently been erected at the west end, containing seventy-two free sittings. There are

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FLINT, (Flintshire.)

FLINT, (Flintshire.)

Chester 14 Holywell 5 London 200 Mold 6 Flint is a borough, market-town, and sea-port, and a parochial chapelry in the parish of Northop, and is the ancient capital of the county: it contains a population of 2860 inhabitants. Although it cannot be identified with any Roman station mentioned in the Itineraries, it was nevertheless either of Roman or Roman-British origin, as is proved from the circumstance of its even now occupying a rectangular entrenched area, like that of a Roman place of defe

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GRESFORD, (Denbighshire.)

GRESFORD, (Denbighshire.)

Chester 8 Wrexham 3 Gresford is a beautiful village, situated on the western side of the road from Wrexham to Chester, near the head of a romantic valley, which opens into the Vale Royal of Cheshire, a tract of country remarkable for the richness of its soil, the beauty of its scenery, and the diversified views which it presents. The little vale of Gresford was one of the most lovely in the Principality; but the fiery dragons of the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway have now invaded its tranquil r

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HANMER, (Flintshire.)

HANMER, (Flintshire.)

Ellesmere 5 Wrexham 10 This village, which forms a detached portion of Flintshire, takes its name from a spacious mere or lake, in form resembling a human hand, on one side of which the village is pleasantly situated. It stands on the road betwixt Wrexham and Whitchurch. The lake occupies a space of 73 acres, on one side of which stands the family mansion of Sir John Hanmer, and on the other the seat of Lord Kenyon. In the church is a handsome monument, erected in 1806, to the memory of Lord

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HARLECH, (Merionethshire.)

HARLECH, (Merionethshire.)

Barmouth London 229 Maen-Twrog Penmorfa, across sands 12 Tan-y-Bwlch Tremadoc, across sands Do. through Tan-y-Bwlch 20 Harlech, or Harddlech, is an inconsiderable place, situated upon a barren rock, containing four or five hundred inhabitants; it is the county town of Merionethshire, and all elections for a representative in parliament take place here. Its name is derived from its situation, originally called Twr Bronwen, and afterwards Caer Collwyn, from Collwyn ap Tagno, who resided there abo

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HAWARDEN, (Flintshire.)

HAWARDEN, (Flintshire.)

Chester 7 Flint 8 Holywell 11 Northop This prosperous little town, pronounced Harden, consists of one continuous street, more than half a mile long, and has a neat and cleanly appearance. The British name was Pennardd Halawg , or Pennardd-y-Lâg , corrupted probably from Pen-y-Lwch (the head-land above the lake), the surrounding marshes having been once covered by the sea. It has a weekly market and the population of the parish is rated at somewhat above 6000 inhabitants. The Glynne Arms is th

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HOLT, (Denbighshire.)

HOLT, (Denbighshire.)

Chester 8 Wrexham 6 A small village, on the west bank of the Dee, was once a market town, and a place of some consequence; yet, even in its decayed and delapidated state, it has for its governor a mayor and two bailiffs.—The two villages of Holt and Farndon are separated only by the river, and communicate by a bridge of ten arches, built in 1345. The Dee at this place divides England from Wales; Farndon being in Cheshire, and Holt in Denbighshire....

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HOLYHEAD, (Anglesea.)

HOLYHEAD, (Anglesea.)

Amlwch 20 Bangor 24 Beaumaris 27 Chester 86 Dublin 60 London, by Chester 266 This place, which is of very remote antiquity, derives its Welsh name, Caer Gybi, implying the fortress or city of Cybi (pronounced Kubby), from its situation on a small island at the western extremity of Anglesea, called Ynys Cybi, for many years the residence of a British saint of that name, who is said to have been the son of Solomon Duke of Cornwall. Its population in 1841, was 3869 inhabitants. Owing to the very e

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HOLYWELL, (Flintshire.)

HOLYWELL, (Flintshire.)

Chester 18 Denbigh 14 Flint 5 London 201 Mold 10 Northop 6 Rhuddlan 11 St. Asaph Holywell, called by the Welsh Trêffynnon, (or the Town of the Well,) is an improving and pleasantly-situated place, on the great road from Chester to Holyhead; the town and parish containing a population of 10,834, with a crowded market on the Friday. But before going into any topographical particulars, we must introduce our readers to the legend of the miraculous well of the famous St. Winefred, as put into an agre

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LLANASA, (Flintshire.)

LLANASA, (Flintshire.)

Holywell 6½ Rhuddlan 6 St. Asaph 10 The village of Llanasa is situated in a pleasant valley at the northern extremity of the county, on the south-western shore of the estuary of the Dee. The church has two east windows, in the more ancient of which is some fine stained glass, brought from Basingwerk abbey. The church-yard contains some curious tomb-stones.—In the neighbourhood are several genteel residences, and about two miles from the village is the seat of Sir Pyers Mostyn, a branch of the

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LLANBERIS, (Caernarvonshire.)

LLANBERIS, (Caernarvonshire.)

Beddgelert 12 Caernarvon 10 Capel Curig Dolbadarn 2 This village, situated on the road between Caernarvon and Capel Curig, derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Peris, a British, or, as some affirm, a Roman saint, who had been a cardinal of Rome, and is said to have resided in this celebrated spot with Padarn, an anchorite about the sixth century, who had a cell or small chapel, in a meadow between Dolbadarn castle, and old Dolbadarn inn, now called the “Snowdonia.” The churc

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LLANDEGAI, (Caernarvonshire.)

LLANDEGAI, (Caernarvonshire.)

Aber 3½ Bangor 2 Conway 10 Port Penrhyn Near to the grand entrance to Penrhyn Park, are the much admired church and little village of Llandegai, hidden from the immediate view by a high wall, extending some yards in the front. The parish is more than fifteen miles in length, from the shore of the Menai straits far into the mountainous regions of Snowdon, including a wide district, abounding with almost every species of mineral treasure. The scenery of the neighbourhood is beautifully picturesq

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LLANDUDNO, (Caernarvonshire.)

LLANDUDNO, (Caernarvonshire.)

Abergele 16 Conway 5 Llandudno old church is situated near the promontory of Ormeshead, which forms the eastern boundary of the entrance into Beaumaris Bar. It has the appearance from the sea of a dilapidated cow-house. A new church has been erected on the side of the promontory, where the inhabitants principally reside. There are here several very valuable and extensive copper mines. The cliffs towards the sea are lofty and abrupt; and the whole scene wild and romantic in the extreme. On th

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LLANEDWEN, (Anglesea.)

LLANEDWEN, (Anglesea.)

Llanidan 2 Moel-y-Don 3 Llanedwen is a small village where Henry Rowlands, the learned author of Mona Antiqua Restaurata, was interred. He was instituted to the vicarage of this place in October, 1696, and died 1723. He lies under a black slab of Anglesea marble, in the south part of the church....

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LLANELIAN, (Anglesea.)

LLANELIAN, (Anglesea.)

Amlwch 8 Beaumaris 20 This is a small village on the eastern coast of Anglesea. The church, dedicated to St. Elian, is supposed to have been founded by the patron saint about 540; and adjoining to it is a small chapel, of very ancient foundation, measuring in its interior twelve feet by fifteen, called Myfyr, the confessional . A curious closet of wood, of an hexagonal form, called St. Elian’s closet, is yet left in the east wall, and is supposed to have served both the office of a communion t

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LLANERCH-Y-MEDD, (Anglesea.)

LLANERCH-Y-MEDD, (Anglesea.)

6 17 Holyhead 16 London 263 Llanerch-y-medd is a considerable town, with a market on Wednesday, deriving its importance chiefly from its proximity to the Parys mountain, on the northern side of Anglesea. Here are the leading fairs for Anglesea oxen, and the south country dealers attend to make their purchases for the Kent and Sussex pastures. An establishment has been opened in this town for the manufacture of snuff, in imitation of the celebrated Lundy Foot, of Dublin. There is a small but c

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LLANERVUL, (Montgomeryshire.)

LLANERVUL, (Montgomeryshire.)

Dolgelley 24 Llanfair 5 Machynlleth 25 Mallwydd 13 Newtown 14 Welshpool 12 This interesting little village is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Banwy, and at the lower extremity of a narrow vale of about seven miles in length. The Cross Foxes Inn affords good accommodation. The situation of the village, being on the turnpike-road from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth and Dolgelley, causes it to be much enlivened in the summer season, by coaches passing through, conveying travellers to the

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LLANFAIR, [146] (Anglesea.)

LLANFAIR, [146] (Anglesea.)

Llangefni 5 Pentraeth 2½ This village is celebrated as the birth-place of Goronwy Owen, of whom a Welsh author has said that “he was the greatest genius either of this age, or that ever appeared in our country; and perhaps few other countries can boast his equal for universal knowledge.” He was born in 1722, had the rudiments of his education at the grammar-school of Bangor, whence, in 1741, he went to Oxford. Four years afterwards he received holy orders at Bangor, and became curate to the Bi

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LLANFAIR, (Montgomeryshire.)

LLANFAIR, (Montgomeryshire.)

Can-Office 7 Dinas-Mowddwy 18 Mallwyd 16 Newtown 10 Oswestry 20 Welshpool 8 Llanfair, or Llanfair-Caer-Einion, a small market town pleasantly situated on the declivity of an eminence, rising from the south bank of the small river Banwy, which falls into the Vyrnwy, and on the turnpike road leading from Welshpool to Machynlleth and Dolgelley, containing 2687 inhabitants. It has a church dedicated to St. Mary, an ancient structure; and five places of worship for dissenters. The Vyrnwy abounds wi

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LLANFYLLYN, (Montgomeryshire.)

LLANFYLLYN, (Montgomeryshire.)

London 178 Mallwyd 20 Oswestry 14 Shrewsbury 25 Welshpool 12 A market town of some note, situate in a fertile valley on the banks of the river Cain, surrounded by lofty hills. The market is held on Thursday. Population, 1955. In the centre of the town stands the church, which was erected when the excellent Dr. Beveridge was bishop of the diocese; it is a neat brick building, dedicated to St. Myllyn. The peal of bells surpasses any in the county. Here are three endowed schools; and a good tow

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LLANGEFNI, (Anglesea.)

LLANGEFNI, (Anglesea.)

Beaumaris Llanerch-y-Medd 7 Menai Bridge Mona Inn 3 This is a small but neat market town centrally situated in the island. The markets and fairs are of considerable importance. It is one of the contributory boroughs; the present M.P. being Col. Paget. There is a neat church under the hill, and the town is romantically situated. The principal inn is Pen-y-bont. Tregarnedd, now only a farm-house, but once the residence of Ednyfed Vychan, an able chieftain to Llywelyn the Great, is in this pari

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LLANGOLLEN, (Denbighshire.)

LLANGOLLEN, (Denbighshire.)

Chester 23 Chirk 7 Corwen 10 London 183 Oswestry 12 Ruabon 6 Ruthin 15 Wrexham The name of this place is derived from the dedication of its church to an ancient British saint named Collen, whose lineage runs thus, in names almost unpronounceable by Saxon tongues—St. Collen ap Gwynnawg ap Clydawg ap Cowrda ap Caredog Freichfras ap Llyr Merim ap Einion Yrth ap Cunededd ap Wledig. The town, which is beautifully situated in a deep narrow valley, enclosed by lofty mountains, and watered by the noble

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LLANGYNOG, (Montgomeryshire.)

LLANGYNOG, (Montgomeryshire.)

Bala 11 Llanfyllyn 7 Llanrhaiadr 6 Llangynog (the church of St. Cynog) is a small village, situated in a pleasing slip of fertile land, above which rises a stupendous rock of coarse slate. The river Tanat, which runs through this village, is celebrated for its delicious trout. The upper end of the vale is bounded by two vast precipices; between them juts out the rude promontory of Moel ddu Vawr. On the north side of this valley is the house of Llechwend-garth, the occasional residence of the

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LLANHAIARN, (Caernarvonshire.)

LLANHAIARN, (Caernarvonshire.)

Caernarvon 13 Pwllheli This is a small village, situated near the west coast of the promontory of Lleyn. Its church, standing on an eminence, forms a good land-mark.—Between this place and the sea, the lofty range of the Rival (or Yr Eifl) Mountains, which form conspicuous objects from Caernarvon and other parts of the country. Upon the first of these eminences, about a mile from Llanhaiarn, is Tre ’r Caeri (or the Town of Fortresses), which Mr. Pennant describes as “the most perfect and magni

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LLANIDAN, (Anglesea.)

LLANIDAN, (Anglesea.)

3 Llanedwen 2 Menai Bridge 6 Plas Newydd Llanidan is a little village, near the shores of the Menai, not far from the spot where the Romans landed, headed by Suetonius Paulinus, who murdered the Britons by thousands. It is called, by Rowlands, Maes Mawr Gad (the Great Army’s Field). It lies three hundred yards from the Menai, and consists of about twenty acres. The Romans entered the water about two hundred yards south of Llanfair-is-caer church, where the shore is flat, the water shallow, an

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LLANIDLOES, (Montgomeryshire.)

LLANIDLOES, (Montgomeryshire.)

Aberystwyth 30 Devil’s Bridge 19 London 193 Machynlleth 20 Newtown 14 Plinlimmon 7 Llanidloes (the Church of St. Idloes) is pleasantly situated near the Severn. The population of the whole parish is 4261, including 2562 inhabitants of the town, who are principally employed in spinning and weaving of flannels, the manufacture of which has been established in this town from a very early period, and has continued materially to increase; the softest and most durable texture is made here. The princ

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LLANRHAIADR, (Denbighshire.)

LLANRHAIADR, (Denbighshire.)

Denbigh 4 Ruthin Llanrhaiadr (the Village of the Cataract), on the road between Ruthin and Denbigh, is situated on a small eminence in the fertile vale of Clwyd. It derives its name from a spring at a short distance, called Ffynnon Ddyfrog, where once was a bath and chapel, dedicated to St. Ddyfrog. The church is a very interesting and handsome structure. On the east window is a painting of the genealogy of Christ from Jesse, executed about 1533. In the church-yard is a curious inscription to

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LLANRHAIADR-YN-MOCHNANT, (Denbighshire.)

LLANRHAIADR-YN-MOCHNANT, (Denbighshire.)

Bala 18 Llanfyllyn 5 Llangynog 6 Oswestry 14 This is a small village situated at the extremity of the county, in a deep hollow, surrounded by mountains. Dr. William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh, was vicar of this place. He was promoted to the bishopric of Llandaff, and in 1601 to that of St. Asaph, where he died in 1604. This valley is called Mochnant, (the Vale of the Rapid Brook) at the extremity of which, distant from the village about four miles and a half, is (The

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LLANRWST, (Denbighshire.)

LLANRWST, (Denbighshire.)

Abergele 22 Bettws-y-Coed 4 Cerniogau 14 Capel Curig 10 Conway 12 Denbigh Llanrhychwyn 2½ London 218 Maen-Twrog 20 This town is pleasantly situated on the western bank of the river Conway, which here forms the boundary between the counties of Denbigh and Caernarvon, in the spacious and beautiful vale of Llanrwst, environed by majestic and well-wooded hills, the land at the foot of which is plentifully watered and remarkably fertile. The town consists principally of small houses and shops, with

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MACHYNLLETH, (Montgomeryshire.)

MACHYNLLETH, (Montgomeryshire.)

Aberdovey 10 Aberystwyth 18 Chester 70 Dolgelley 16 Llanidloes 20 London 208 Newtown 28 Towyn 14 Machynlleth is an ancient well-built town, superior to most in North Wales for cleanliness and respectability, the streets being remarkably spacious and regular in appearance. It is situated on the road leading to Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury and North Wales, about a quarter of a mile from the southern bank of the river Dyfi. The township contains a population of 2482. It is the centre of the wooll

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MAEN-TWROG (Merionethshire.)

MAEN-TWROG (Merionethshire.)

Bala 22 Bedd-gelert 10 Capel Curig Caernarvon 23 Dolgelley 18 Ffestiniog 3 Harlech Slate Quarries 5 Tan-y-Bwlch 0¼ Tremadoc The Cataracts 2 This is a small village, situated in the most romantic part of the highly picturesque vale of Ffestiniog, on the southern bank of the river Dwyryd. It derives its name from a large stone, still remaining in the church-yard, called Maen-Twrog, erected to the memory of a British saint, who died about the year 610. The church was rebuilt on the site of the an

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MALLWYD. (Montgomeryshire.)

MALLWYD. (Montgomeryshire.)

Bala 19 Can-Office 12 Dinas Mowddwy 1½ Machynlleth This is a little village, placed between the salient angles of three abrupt mountains, Arran, Camlan, and Moel Dyfi, in a small valley surrounded by many delightful scenes, through which runs the river Dyfi, or Dovey. The falls of the Dovey at Pont Fallwyd, about half a mile distant, are particularly romantic and beautiful. The church is a very humble Gothic structure. The churchyard is remarkable for several large yew trees, one of which measu

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MOLD, (Flintshire.)

MOLD, (Flintshire.)

Chester Denbigh 16 Flint 6 Hawarden Holywell 10 London 200 Northop 3 Ruthin Wrexham 11 The ancient British name of this place, (Yr Wyddgrûg), signifying a Lofty and Conspicuous Hill, and also the Roman name of Mont Altus, of like import, were derived from a high mound on the north-western side of the present town, now called the Bailey Hill, a commanding eminence, partly natural, and partly artificial, upon which a fortification appears to have been erected at a very early period, but whether by

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MONA INN, (Anglesea.)

MONA INN, (Anglesea.)

Beaumaris 14 Holyhead 12 Menai Bridge 10 Mona Inn, formerly called Caeau Môn, is an excellent hotel, situate midway between Bangor and Holyhead, on the new line of road between those places. Post chaises are kept here. About nine miles beyond the Mona Inn the mail road crosses the Stanley Sands, by means of an embankment 1300 yards in length, and upon an average of 16 feet in height. In the fields of the inn the geologist will find a curious red rock, containing jasper, which will cut glass l

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MONTGOMERY, (Montgomeryshire.)

MONTGOMERY, (Montgomeryshire.)

Bishop’s Castle 9 London 169 Newtown Welshpool 8 This town, the capital of the county, is romantically situated, partly on the summit, and partly on the declivity of a hill, rising from the southern bank of the Severn, and under the shelter of a mountain of a mountain of loftier elevation.—The town-hall stands in the middle of the town, the area underneath being used for the market: the upper part is divided into two handsome rooms, erected at the expense of Lord Clive, the larger of which is us

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NEVYN, (Caernarvonshire.)

NEVYN, (Caernarvonshire.)

Caernarvon 21 Cricaeth 15 London 270 Pwllheli 7 Nevyn is a small market town, situated on the western coast of the county, with a population of 1726 inhabitants. It is only remarkable as the place where Edward the First, in 1284, celebrated his conquest of Wales by tournaments and feasts. The coast in the neighbourhood is bold and rocky, and the surrounding scenery altogether of a mountainous character. The church is a neat building, erected in 1824. On a narrow head-land, jutting into the se

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NEWBOROUGH, (Anglesea.)

NEWBOROUGH, (Anglesea.)

Aberfraw Menai Bridge 12 Newborough is on inconsiderable village, containing 895 inhabitants, deriving its name from having been constituted a free borough by Edward the First. It was originally a place of great importance, being the capital of the island, and was for many years the residence of the princes of North Wales, who had a palace here, where, or at Aberfraw, on the opposite side of the Malldraeth sands, they occasionally fixed their seat of government, as the exigences of that turbule

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NEWMARKET, (Flintshire.)

NEWMARKET, (Flintshire.)

Caerwys 5 Holywell St. Asaph 6 Rhuddlan 4 This village is situated about three miles to the right hand of the great Chester and Holyhead road, and within three miles of the estuary of the Dee. The church is a small structure of modern date, standing within a spacious cemetery, in which are some fine lofty trees. On the south of the church, and not far distant from the principal entrance, stands a tall and very beautiful stone cross, the upper part finely sculptured in high relief. Here is buil

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NEWTOWN, (Montgomeryshire.)

NEWTOWN, (Montgomeryshire.)

Bishop’s Castle 16 Llanidloes 14 Llanfyllyn 19 London 179 Machynlleth 30 Welshpool Newtown, or as it is called by the Welsh Tre’-Newydd, is situated on the banks of the river Severn, on the road from Welshpool to Aberystwyth, and contains 3990 inhabitants.—The principal inns are the Boar and the Angel. Very little is known either of the origin or the early history of this place, which within the last fifty years, from the celebrity of its flannel manufacture, has risen into importance. A spaci

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NORTHOP, (Flintshire.)

NORTHOP, (Flintshire.)

Chester 11½ Flint 3 Hawarden 4½ Holywell London 194 Mold This is a large and pleasantly situated village, in a fertile part of the country, surrounded by numerous seats and elegant villas. The Welsh name is Llan-Eurgain, from the dedication of its first church to St. Eurgain, daughter of the Prince Maelgwyn Gwynedd, and niece of St. Asaph, the second bishop of the see, which from him derived its name. The church, which has a noble tower, erected in 1571, stands on a small eminence, and is an ir

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OSWESTRY, (Shropshire.)

OSWESTRY, (Shropshire.)

Chirk 5 Ellesmere 8 Llanfyllyn 14 Shrewsbury 18 Welshpool 16 Wrexham This town, though not situated in Wales, is so contiguous, that it is frequently visited by travellers, either on commencing or terminating their tour, Oswestry lying on the great line of road from Llangollen to Shrewsbury. The town occupies the declivity of a range of hills, which skirt it on the western side, and command an extensive view over the fertile plains of Salop. The streets are well paved and lighted: the old buil

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OVERTON, (Flintshire.)

OVERTON, (Flintshire.)

Ellesmere 5 7 This is a neat little village, delightfully situated on the banks of the Dee, over which river is a handsome stone bridge of two lofty arches, connecting the counties of Denbigh and Flint, on the road from Chester to Shrewsbury. The surrounding scenery is beautifully picturesque. The village, with its venerable church, forms a pleasing and highly interesting feature in a charming landscape. In the churchyard are several fine yew trees. The site of the ancient castle occupies th

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PENMAEN MAWR, (Caernarvonshire.)

PENMAEN MAWR, (Caernarvonshire.)

Aber 4 Bangor 9 Conway 6 Port Penrhyn 8 Penmaen Mawr is an immense hill, and so denominated from being the last of the long chain of mountains which cross the country. This gigantic rock, along which the road from Chester to Holyhead passes, exhibits a fine contrast with the adjacent fertility, by its sterile grandeur. This place was once the dread of the neighbourhood, the immense promontory affording only a narrow zig-zag path along the shelf of its frowning side for the terrified traveller

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PENMORFA, (Caernarvonshire.)

PENMORFA, (Caernarvonshire.)

Beddgelert 7 Pwllheli 11 Pont Aberglaslyn 5½ Tremadoc 1 Penmorfa, or the Head of the Marsh, is a small wood-clad village, romantically situated on the western bank of Traeth Mawr, but is so much out of the way of tourists as to be seldom visited. The church is small, and dedicated to St. Beuno, having within a small monument to the memory of Sir John Owen, a general and supporter of Charles I., who, being taken prisoner at a battle near Bangor, was condemned to die by the Parliament; but throug

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PENMYNYDD, (Anglesea.)

PENMYNYDD, (Anglesea.)

Beaumaris 6 Plas Newydd 5 Penmynydd is situated on the eastern side of Anglesea, near the great post road from Bangor to Holyhead, six miles from the Menai Bridge. It is celebrated as being the native place of Owen Tudor ....

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PENTRE VOELAS, (Denbighshire.)

PENTRE VOELAS, (Denbighshire.)

Capel Curig 11 Corwen 15 Denbigh 18 Ffestiniog 14½ Llanrwst Maen-Twrog 17 This is a small hamlet on the great London and Holyhead road, with a very comfortable inn. About four miles distant are the Conway waterfalls. A new road has lately been formed hence to Denbigh, and another to Ffestiniog....

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PLAS NEWYDD, (Anglesea.)

PLAS NEWYDD, (Anglesea.)

Caernarvon 6 Llanidan 3 Plas Newydd (the New Mansion), anciently Llwyn Moel (the Grove on the Hill), one of the principal groves in Anglesea, sacred to druidic worship, once the magnificent seat of the Marquis of Anglesea, but now occupied by T. Assheton Smith, Esq. of Vaenol. Caernarvonshire. It is beautifully situated on the curve of the Menai, protected on three sides by venerable oak trees, and about one hundred yards of the strait, with a fine lawn in front, sloping to the edge of the wat

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PONT-Y-GLYN, (Denbighshire.)

PONT-Y-GLYN, (Denbighshire.)

Bala 12 Corwen 6 Pont-y-Glyn (the Bridge of the Precipices) is situated on the great Holyhead and London road, between Corwen and Cerniogan Mawr. The woody glen, at the head of which stands Pont-y-Glyn, with its prominent rocks, nearly obscured by the surrounding foliage, forms a lovely picture. On a sudden turn of the road, stands the bridge thrown over a chasm. Beneath is the rugged and precipitous bed of the river, where, among immense masses and fragments of rocks, the stream foams with v

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PWLLHELI (Caernarvonshire.)

PWLLHELI (Caernarvonshire.)

Caernarvon 20 Chester 93 Cricaeth 8 London 250 Nevyn 7 Pwllheli, or the Salt Water Pit, is a pleasant market-town and sea-port, the population of which is about 1500. The market is held on Wednesday and Saturday. The Crown and Anchor, where post-chaises may be had, is accounted the principal inn; the Ship and Ivy Bush are respectable. The town, which is well built, has become a place of some resort for bathing. The parish church, which is situated about half a mile to the north of the town,

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RHUDDLAN, (Flintshire.)

RHUDDLAN, (Flintshire.)

Abergele 5 Flint 16 Holywell 11 London 220 Rhuddlan contains, with the chapelry of Rhyl, 2415 inhabitants. The town lies in a flat, on the eastern hank of the river Clwyd, about two miles from its influx into the sea. The river is here a little extended in width, so as, at high water, to admit vessels of 50 tons up to the bridge. Rhuddlan was formerly a place of considerable magnitude, but no traces of its former importance are left, except in the ruins of its ancient castle. Edward the First

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RHYL, (Flintshire.)

RHYL, (Flintshire.)

Abergele 8 Chester 30 Holywell 13 St. Asaph 5 Rhyl is situated at the termination of the Vale of Clwyd, near the mouth of the river from which that beautiful valley takes its name, and is much frequented as a bathing place during the summer months, for which purpose, both from its immediate contiguity to the sea, and the extent and firmness of its sands, it is admirably adapted. There are excellent and commodious hotels, with smaller inns and lodging houses, intermingled with several neat cotta

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RUABON, (Denbighshire.)

RUABON, (Denbighshire.)

Chirk 4½ Denbigh 28 Llangollen 7 Wrexham 5½ Ruabon, or Rhiw-abon, is a village containing about 1300 inhabitants, situated on the road from Oswestry to Wrexham and Chester. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an interesting and venerable structure, in which are several splendid marble monuments. There is one by Rhysbrac, to the memory of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, who was killed by a fall from his horse, on the 26th of September, 1749, aged 41 years; the figure is in a graceful attitude, as i

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RUTHIN, (Denbighshire.)

RUTHIN, (Denbighshire.)

Bala 22 Chester Corwen 12 Denbigh 8 Llangollen 15 London 210 Mold 10 St. Asaph 14 Wrexham 18 Ruthin (Rhudd-ddin or Rhuthyn) is beautifully situated on the aclivity of an eminence in the picturesque Vale of Clwyd, at the base of which and through the lower part of the town flows the river from which the vale takes its name, at this place an inconsiderable stream, serving only to work some mills in the neighbourhood. The parish contains 3333 inhabitants. The appearance of the town is pleasing, a

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ST. ASAPH, (Flintshire.)

ST. ASAPH, (Flintshire.)

Abergele 7 Conway 18 Chester 28 Denbigh 6 Holywell 10 London 217 Rhuddlan 3 St. Asaph, commonly called Llan Elwy, derived its origin and name from the erection of a church on the bank of the river Elwy, about the middle of the sixth century. The city is beautifully situated on the gentle aclivity of an eminence, washed on the eastern side by the river Clwyd, and on the west by the Elwy, which unite at the distance of about a mile to the north. The parish contains 3338 inhabitants. Over the El

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SNOWDON, (Caernarvonshire.)

SNOWDON, (Caernarvonshire.)

A chain of the highest mountains in Wales extends across Caernarvonshire, from Bardsey Island to Penmaen Bach, near Conway bay, gradually rising from each extremity towards the centre, which is occupied by Snowdon. The name of this mountain was first given to it by the Saxons, and signifies a hill covered with snow; but the Welsh call all this adjacent range Creigian-yr-Eyri (the Eagle’s Cliffs;) for it is not true, as has been asserted, that snow may be found upon it through the whole year. T

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TAL-Y-LLYN, (Merionethshire.)

TAL-Y-LLYN, (Merionethshire.)

Dolgelley 8 Dinas Mowddwy 11 Machynlleth Towyn 10 This is a very picturesque little village, about half way between Machynlleth and Dolgelley, deriving its name from the church, at the head of a beautiful lake, appropriately called Llyn Mwyngil, (The Lake of the Charming Retreat,) from the west end of which issues the river Dysyni, taking its course to the sea through Towyn Marsh. The scenery is remarkably romantic, and is rendered more so by the lakes which are within the limits of the parish.

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TOWYN, (Merionethshire.)

TOWYN, (Merionethshire.)

Aberdovey 4 Barmouth 12 Dolgelley 16 London 226 Machynlleth 14 Towyn is a market-town beautifully situated at the distance of about a mile from the sea-coast, near the mouth of the river Dysyni, in a small but pleasant vale. The return of the population for the town and parish is 2694 inhabitants. During summer, the place is much frequented for sea-bathing, by persons who prefer retirement to the bustle of a more fashionable watering place. Valetudinarians are also attracted hither by St. Cadv

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TRAWS-FYNYDD, (Merionethshire.)

TRAWS-FYNYDD, (Merionethshire.)

Bala 18 Dolgelley 12 This village is situated on the road from Dolgelley to Tan-y-Bwlch, in an exposed and mountainous district. The church is an ancient structure of the old English style of architecture; the parish is of vast extent, being above ten miles in length, and eight in breadth, consisting chiefly of barren mountains, used only as sheep-walks. At this place a guide may be had to the waterfalls of Pistyll-y-Cain and Rhaiadr-y-Mawddach, distant about three or four miles. On the road s

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TREMADOC, (Caernarvonshire.)

TREMADOC, (Caernarvonshire.)

Barmouth 20 Ditto, by Tan-y-Bwlch 30 Beddgelert 7 Caernarvon Ffestiniog 13 Harlech 10 Pwllheli 14 Tan-y-Bwlch Tremadoc is a market-town and sea-port of very recent origin, and is a signal instance of the triumph of perseverance over apparently insurmountable local difficulties. It derives its name from its enterprising founder, the late Wm. Alexander Madock, Esq. This gentleman, having projected a plan for regaining from the sea a portion of the land on the western side of the wide sandy estua

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WELSHPOOL, (Montgomeryshire.)

WELSHPOOL, (Montgomeryshire.)

Llanfair 8 London 171 Montgomery Newtown 14 Oswestry 16 Shrewsbury 18 This town is called Welsh, to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Dorsetshire, and Pool, from its proximity to a piece of water called Llyn-du Pool, now within the inclosure of Powys park. The town, which Leland describes as being in the reign of Henry the Eighth, “the best market in Powys,” still retains that character, in addition to which it may justly be regarded as the modern capital of the county, and, with t

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WREXHAM, (Denbighshire.)

WREXHAM, (Denbighshire.)

Chester Llangollen 11½ Oswestry 6 Ruthin 16 Wrexham is a large and well-built town, whose population, including the parish, was returned in 1841 at 12,981 inhabitants. From its extent and importance, it has sometimes been denominated the metropolis of North Wales. The town is pleasantly situated at the junction of the Shrewsbury. Welshpool, Oswestry, and Chester roads, and in the centre of the mining and manufacturing districts of the eastern part of Denbighshire. Races are annually held ear

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MAP.

MAP.

[The book contains a large map which unfortunately is too big to scan entire. It’s provided here as four parts.—DP.] North-West Wales (top) North-West Wales, top North-East Wales (top) North-East Wales, top North-West Wales (bottom) North-West Wales, bottom North-East Wales (bottom) North-East Wales, bottom...

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