Abersoch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abersoch |
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 Lôn Pen Cei (Pen Cei Road) |
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 Abersoch
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| Population | 2,602 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | SH312281 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Pwllheli |
| Postcode district | LL53 |
| Dialling code | 01758 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Abersoch (Welsh pronunciation: [abɛrˈsoːχ]) is a lively village in Gwynedd, Wales. It is part of the community of Llanengan. Abersoch is a very popular seaside resort on the east-facing south coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. Around 2,600 people live there. It is about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Pwllheli.
Contents
What Does Abersoch Mean?
The name of the village comes from the River Soch. This river flows into the sea right in the village. The Welsh word 'Aber' means 'estuary'. So, Abersoch literally means 'Soch Estuary'.
Discovering Ancient History
In 2018, during a very dry summer, some interesting marks were seen in fields near Abersoch. These marks were found using aerial photography. They looked like they could be from an old Roman fort. Later, scientists used special equipment to look underground. They found signs of an old, protected area. It was different from Roman buildings. This suggests it might be even older, from before Roman times.
A Popular Tourist Spot
Abersoch was once a small village known for fishing. After the 1950s, it grew a lot because more people started visiting. The fishing port is still used today. But now, tourism is the main way the village makes money.
Fun Water Activities
Abersoch is a top spot for water sports. You can enjoy dinghy sailing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing. Nearby Porth Neigwl is great for surfing. In winter, the waves can get quite big, up to 1.5 meters (5 feet).
Lifeboat Station and Boat Trips
Abersoch has had a lifeboat station for many years. The first one opened in 1869. Today, there is a modern inshore lifeboat station. You can also take boat trips from the village. These trips go around St Tudwal's Islands. On these trips, you can see seals and other amazing wildlife. One of the islands is even owned by the famous adventurer, Bear Grylls.
Shops, Golf, and Scenery
Central Abersoch has many small shops. There are also bars, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. If you like golf, there is an 18-hole golf course. Abersoch is also close to Snowdonia National Park. On clear days, you can even see Snowdon, Wales's highest mountain, from Abersoch Bay. In 2017, Abersoch was named one of the best places to live in Wales.
Holiday Homes and Local Life
Abersoch is very popular with tourists. Many people from northwest England and the western Midlands buy holiday homes here. Old buildings are often turned into places for tourists to rent. This has caused some problems for local families. House prices have gone up a lot. It has become harder for families who grew up in Abersoch to afford to live there. This is why the local primary school in Abersoch had to close. The council has asked the Welsh government to help. They want to limit how many homes can be used for holidays.
Welsh Language in Abersoch
The Welsh language is an important part of Wales's culture. In Abersoch, about 43.5% of people aged 3 and over can speak Welsh. More than half of the people have at least one skill in the Welsh language. For those born in Wales, about 85% can speak Welsh.
School Closure and Education
In June 2021, the Welsh language primary school in Abersoch, 'Ysgol Abersoch', was going to close. Children would have to go to 'Ysgol Sarn Bach', which is 1.4 miles away. Even though over 200 people objected, the council voted to close the school. It closed at Christmas in 2021.
The nearby village of Sarn Bach has a Welsh-medium primary school. This school is for children aged 3 to 11. The closest special school for children with extra needs is Ysgol Hafod Lon in Penrhyndeudraeth. For secondary school, students from Abersoch go to Ysgol Botwnnog. This school is about 5 miles (8 km) inland and teaches in Welsh.
Images for kids
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Abersoch Post Office around 1885
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Harbwr Abersoch (Harbour)
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Porth Fawr beach
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Bathing huts on Porth Fawr beach.
See also
In Spanish: Abersoch para niños
