Barmouth

Barmouth
Welsh: Abermaw

Barmouth across the Mawddach estuary
Barmouth
 Barmouth shown within Gwynedd
Population 2,522 
OS grid referenceSH613158
Principal areaGwynedd
Ceremonial countyGwynedd
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town BARMOUTH
Postcode district LL42
Dialling code 01341
Police North Wales
Fire North Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK ParliamentDwyfor Meirionnydd
Welsh AssemblyDwyfor Meirionnydd
List of places
UK
Wales
Gwynedd

Coordinates: 52°43′19″N 4°03′18″W / 52.722°N 4.055°W

Barmouth (Welsh: Abermaw (formal); Y Bermo (colloquial)) is a town in the county of Gwynedd, north-western Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay. Historically in Merionethshire, the English form of the name is derived from "Aber" (estuary) and the river's name "Mawddach"

The town is served by Barmouth railway station.

History

The town in the 1890s
Barmouth Sands by William Collins, 1835, Guildhall Gallery, London

The town grew around the shipbuilding industry, and more recently as a seaside resort. Notable buildings include the mediaeval Tŷ Gwyn tower house, the 19th century Tŷ Crwn roundhouse prison and St John's Church.

William Wordsworth, a visitor to Barmouth in the 19th century, described it thus: "With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day's walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival."

There is also a new Lifeboat Visitors' Centre, where visitors can purchase souvenirs, and take a look at the RNLI lifeboat from the viewing gallery. The busy harbour plays host to the annual Three Peaks yacht race.

Barmouth Bridge, which takes the Cambrian Line over the River Mawddach, was also formerly at the end of the GWR Ruabon Barmouth line, which passed through Bala and Dolgellau. The southern end of the bridge is now the start of the Mawddach Trail, a cycle path and walk way that utilises the old trackbed.

The Barmouth Ferry sails from Barmouth to Penrhyn Point, where it connects with the narrow gauge Fairbourne Railway for the village of Fairbourne.

Barmouth is (geographically) one of the closest seaside resorts to the English West Midlands and a large proportion of its tourist visitors, as well as its permanent residents, are from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley and other parts of the Black Country, and Telford, Shropshire.

In January 2014 two trains were stranded at Barmouth after severe winter storms destroyed the sea wall at nearby Llanaber.[1]

Sport

Barmouth has one major association football team: Barmouth & Dyffryn United, the team competes in the Welsh Alliance league and is generally well supported by residents.

Barmouth is also known within the sport of motocross as the venue for the annual Barmouth Beach Race. Usually taking place on the last weekend in October, the event sees riders take part in beach racing, using a temporary motocross course constructed on the beach. Over 200 riders typically take part in this event, with spectators attending free of charge. The event attracts champion riders from England and Wales.[2]

The nearest rugby club is in Dolgellau, some seven miles away.[3]

Notable people

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Road trip for storm-hit Barmouth marooned trains". BBC News. 15 January 2014.
  2. ↑ WalesDirectory.co.uk retrieved 11 March 2015
  3. ↑ Dolgellau Old Grammarians from Pitchero.com, retrieved 11 March 2015
  4. ↑ Etherington-Smith, Meredith (1992-08-18). "Obituary: Tommy Nutter". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2009-10-09.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barmouth.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Barmouth.