Harlech facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harlech |
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 Harlech from the beach area; the castle is seen centre-left |
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 Harlech
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| Population | 1,263 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SH581312 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HARLECH |
| Postcode district | LL46 |
| Dialling code | 01766 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Harlech (pronounced HAR-lekh) is a lovely seaside resort town in Gwynedd, North Wales. It's located right on Tremadog Bay, inside the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.
Harlech is famous for its amazing Harlech Castle. This castle was started in 1283 by Edward I of England. It was later taken over by the Welsh leader Owain Glyndŵr. In the 1480s, it was an important base for Henry Tudor. The castle used to be right on a cliff by the sea. Now, it's about half a mile (800 meters) inland because the coastline has changed over time.
The town has two main parts: a lower area near the beach and an upper area around the shops, church, and castle. A very steep road called "Twtil" connects them. Many people in Harlech speak Welsh. About 51% of its 1,263 residents (from the 2021 census) speak Welsh regularly.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Harlech
The exact meaning of the name Harlech isn't fully clear. Some older ideas suggest it comes from Arddlech. This means "high rock," which makes sense because the castle is on a tall, rocky hill.
More recent ideas suggest it comes from two Welsh words:
- Hardd which means "fair" or "fine."
- Llech which means "slate" or "rock."
So, Harlech could mean "fine rock" or "beautiful rock." In the past, some texts even called it Harddlech Castle.
Harlech's Past: From Castles to Planes
Harlech Castle's Story
Harlech Castle has a long and exciting history. It was built as part of a group of castles by King Edward I to help control Wales. Over the centuries, it played a big role in many conflicts. It was a key fortress during the Welsh rebellions and the Wars of the Roses.
The Maid of Harlech: A WWII Plane Discovery
In 2007, something amazing was found on Harlech beach: a Lockheed P-38 Lightning plane. This was a World War II fighter aircraft. It's been called "one of the most important WWII finds in recent history."
This plane, known as the Maid of Harlech, crashed in September 1942. The pilot, Second Lt Robert F Elliott, survived the crash. Sadly, he went missing in action a few months later.
In 2019, the Welsh government's historic environment service, Cadw, gave the plane's remains special protection. This made it the first military aircraft crash site in the UK to be protected for its history and archaeology. It's also protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This means the site is very important and must be preserved.
How Harlech is Governed
Harlech is part of a larger area called an electoral ward. This ward also includes the nearby community of Talsarnau. In 2011, the ward had a population of 1,997 people.
Since 2022, the ward has grown to include Llanbedr and Llanfair. It's now called Harlech a Llanbedr. This larger area is represented by two county councillors on the Gwynedd Council. These councillors help make decisions for the local community.
Getting Around Harlech
Train and Bus Services
Harlech has its own train station, Harlech railway station. It's a stop on the Cambrian Coast Line. You can catch trains between Pwllheli and Machynlleth. These services are run by Transport for Wales.
Local bus services are provided by Lloyds Coaches. You can take a bus to nearby towns like Porthmadog and Barmouth.
Ffordd Pen Llech: The Steepest Street
Harlech is home to a very famous street called Ffordd Pen Llech. This road goes down the rocky hill north of the castle. It's known for being the steepest signed, public paved road in the United Kingdom! It's even one of the steepest roads in the world.
Learning in Harlech: Schools and Colleges
Harlech has schools for different age groups:
- Ysgol Ardudwy is the secondary school for students aged 11 to 16.
- Ysgol Tanycastell is the primary school for younger children aged 3 to 11.
The town also used to have Coleg Harlech. This was Wales's only long-term adult residential college. It was known as the "college of second chance" because it gave adults another opportunity to study. It was open from 1927 to 2017. The college buildings were famous for their mix of old and modern architecture.
Harlech's local library, once run by Gwynedd Council, also closed in 2017. However, the Old Library Institute now operates as Harlech Hwb. It offers support for daily living costs and a place to pick up library books ordered from Gwynedd Libraries.
People of Harlech: Demographics
According to the 2011 census, Harlech had 1,762 people living there. The village has a mix of people from different places. About 48% of residents were born in Wales, and 46.9% were born in England. This means that about 42.6% of people identified as having a Welsh national identity.
Fun and Games in Harlech: Recreation
Harlech is a great place for outdoor activities:
- Harlech Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with large sand dunes behind it. It's perfect for walks and playing.
- Royal Saint David's Golf Club is a famous golf course. It has hosted big golf tournaments, including the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship five times.
- The Rhinogydd (or Rhinogs) mountains are to the east of Harlech. They offer amazing views and opportunities for hiking.
Harlech also has a Scout hut. This building is used as a base for many outdoor recreational activities for young people.
Famous Faces from Harlech
Many interesting people have connections to Harlech:
- Owain Glyndŵr (around 1359–1415): A famous Welsh leader who was the last Welshman to claim the title of Prince of Wales.
- Ellis Wynne (1671–1734): A Welsh-language writer and clergyman.
- Alfred Perceval Graves (1846–1931): A poet, bard, and songwriter. He and his large family, including his son the poet Robert Graves, spent summers near Harlech.
- George Davison (1854–1930): A well-known photographer.
- Margaret More (1903–1966): A composer who was born in Harlech.
- Elinor Lyon (1921–2008): A children's writer who retired to Harlech.
- David Gwilym Morris Roberts (1925–2020): A civil engineer who was born here.
- Mari Strachan (born 1945): A novelist and librarian who went to secondary school in Harlech.
- Philip Pullman (born 1946): A famous children's novelist who also attended secondary school in Harlech.
Gallery
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Harlech Castle with flags at half mast after the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002
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Harlech Castle gatehouse
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The Two Kings (sculptor Ivor Robert-Jones, 1984) near Harlech Castle, Wales. Bendigeidfran carries the body of his nephew Gwern.
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Harlech Beach at low tide
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Harlech College with Harlech Castle in background
See also
In Spanish: Harlech para niños
