Fairbourne Spit facts for kids

Fairbourne Spit seen from Barmouth.

Fairbourne Spit is a long, narrow piece of land made of sand and small stones. It's also known as Penrhyn Point. You can find it in Wales, right where the River Mawddach meets the big Cardigan Bay. This special landform stretches out into the sea on the west coast of Wales.

The small stones, or shingle, probably came from a place called Llwyngwril, which is to the south. The sand and sand dunes at the northern end of the spit are partly brought in by the river. The river acts like a long-term storage area for sandy material.

What is a Spit?

A spit is a type of landform that forms along a coast. It's like a long, narrow beach that sticks out into the water. Spits are usually made of sand, gravel, or shingle. They are built up by the movement of waves and currents carrying sediment along the coastline. Over time, this sediment gets deposited in one spot, creating the spit.

Where is Fairbourne Spit Located?

Fairbourne Spit is found at the mouth of the Afon Mawddach river. This river flows into Cardigan Bay, which is part of the Irish Sea. The spit is located on the coast of Gwynedd, a county in northwest Wales. It's a beautiful area with views of the sea and nearby towns.

Getting Around: The Fairbourne Railway and Ferry

A fun way to explore Fairbourne Spit is by taking the Fairbourne Railway. This is a special narrow-gauge railway that was built way back in 1895. It runs all the way along the spit, offering great views of the coastline.

At the very end of the spit, you can catch a ferry. This ferry service takes people across the river to the charming town of Barmouth. It's a quick and easy way to travel between the two places.

Facing the Future: Sea Level Challenges

In recent years, Fairbourne Spit and the nearby village of Fairbourne have faced a big challenge. The sea defences, which are structures built to protect the land from the sea, will no longer be repaired in this area. This means that Fairbourne and the surrounding land could experience regular flooding as sea levels rise. It's a serious issue that local communities are working to understand and prepare for.