Barmouth Bay facts for kids

Barmouth Bay (Welsh: Bae Bermo) is a lovely bay found on the west coast of Wales. It's located in the county of Gwynedd. This bay is a smaller part of a much larger body of water called Cardigan Bay. The land around the bay is very scenic, with parts of it being inside the famous Snowdonia National Park.

Exploring Barmouth Bay's Location

Barmouth Bay is nestled along the coastline of Gwynedd in western Wales. The area around the bay is very beautiful. Some parts of the coast, at the northern and southern ends, are within the Snowdonia National Park. This park is a special protected area known for its stunning mountains and landscapes.

However, the main town of Barmouth and the village of Fairbourne, which are right on the bay, are not part of the national park. They are busy places with homes and shops.

Natural Features of Barmouth Bay

Behind the bay, you'll find the sandy Mawddach estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. The River Mawddach flows through this area. Its tidal channel, which means the water level changes with the tides, winds its way through the sand before emptying into the bay.

Just before the river meets the bay, there's a long, narrow strip of shingle (small stones) called Fairbourne Spit. This spit stretches north from the village of Fairbourne. A sandbank, known as 'The Bar', sits at the entrance of the river channel. It acts like a natural barrier, guarding the way from the bigger Cardigan Bay into the Mawddach estuary.

Travel and Transport Around the Bay

The Cambrian Coast Line is a railway that runs along the narrow strip of land at the back of Barmouth Bay. This train line offers amazing views of the coast.

A very important structure here is Barmouth Bridge. This bridge crosses the Mawddach estuary, connecting Barmouth with Fairbourne. It's special because it carries both the railway line and a walking path. This path is part of the Wales Coast Path, a long walking route that goes all around the coast of Wales.