Barmouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barmouth
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 Barmouth across the Mawddach estuary |
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 Barmouth
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| Population | 2,522 |
| OS grid reference | SH613158 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BARMOUTH |
| Postcode district | LL42 |
| Dialling code | 01341 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Barmouth (Welsh: Abermaw (formal); Y Bermo (colloquial)) is a seaside town and community in the county of Gwynedd, northwestern Wales, lying on the estuary of the Afon Mawddach and Cardigan Bay. Located in the historic county of Merionethshire, the Welsh form of the name is derived from aber (estuary) and the river's name, "Mawddach". The English form of the name is a corruption of the earlier Welsh form Abermawdd. The community includes the tiny villages of Llanaber, Cutiau, and Caerdeon.
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History
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."
Dinas Oleu (Welsh:Citadel of Light) which is located east of the town on the adjoining hillside, was the first tract of land to be donated to the National Trust.
In January 2014 two trains were stranded at Barmouth after severe winter storms destroyed the sea wall at nearby Llanaber.
Transport
The town is served by Barmouth railway station. Transport for Wales operate northbound services to Pwllheli via Harlech, Porthmadog and Criccieth, and eastbound services to Birmingham International via Tywyn, Machynlleth, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Telford and Wolverhampton.
Connections for southbound services to Borth and Aberystwyth can be made at Dovey Junction or Machynlleth.
Barmouth Bridge, which takes the Cambrian Line over the River Mawddach, was also previously at the end of the 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 walkway that uses the old trackbed.
Local bus services are provided by Lloyds Coaches, and link the town with nearby destinations such as Harlech, Tan-y-Bwlch, Porthmadog and Dolgellau. Cross country bus services are available to Wrexham via Bala, Corwen and Llangollen, as part of the Welsh Government funded TrawsCymru network.
The Barmouth Ferry sails from Barmouth to Penrhyn Point, where it connects with the narrow gauge Fairbourne Railway for the village of Fairbourne.
The town has a RNLI lifeboat station with a Visitors' Centre with shop and viewing gallery.
Sport
The nearest rugby club is in Dolgellau, 7 miles (11 km) away.
Barmouth has one major football team: Barmouth & Dyffryn United, the team competes in the Welsh Alliance league.
Barmouth is the venue for the annual Barmouth Beach Race, a motocross event. 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.
The busy harbour plays host to the annual Three Peaks yacht race.
Notable people
- Fanny Talbot (1824–1917) landowner and philanthropist, donated Cliff of Light (Dinas Olau in Welsh), to the National Trust.
- Herbert Tudor Buckland, architect (1869–1951) known for his seminal Arts and Crafts Movement houses
- Commander Harold Godfrey Lowe RD (1882–1944) was the fifth officer of the RMS Titanic.
- Major Harold William "Bill" Tilman, CBE, DSO, MC and Bar, (1898–1977) English mountaineer and explorer, renowned for his Himalayan climbs and sailing voyages, lived in Barmouth for many years.
- Adrian Dingle (1911–1974) was a Welsh Canadian painter.
- Johnny Williams, boxer (1926–2007) once both the British and Empire heavyweight champion.
- Tommy Nutter (1943–1992) British tailor, reinvented the Savile Row suit in the 1960s.
- Robert Russell Davies (born 1946) is a British journalist and broadcaster who presents Brain of Britain on BBC Radio 4.
- Charlie (Charlene) Brooks, actress (EastEnders, born 1981).
See also
In Spanish: Barmouth para niños
