Betws-y-Coed and the Local Area
Betws-y-Coed is North Wales' most popular inland resort, where the River Conwy meets its three tributaries flowing from the west, the Llugwy, the Lledr and the Machno. Much of it was built in Victorian times and it is the principal village of the Snowdonia National Park.
Set in a beautiful valley in the Snowdonia Forest Park, it is ideal for outdoor activity holidays. It has a wonderful setting surrounded by dense woodland and magnificent mountain country. The beauty of the area is enhanced by cascading waterfalls, hill-top lakes, river pools and ancient bridges.
Ever since the Victorian artists flocked to the area and formed the first artist colony it has been a mecca for those that appreciate its unique natural beauty. At the railway station is a Museum with a miniature railway, shop and restaurant. The old 14th century church of St Michael's is one of the oldest in Wales and is worth viewing.
Of exceptional interest are the many bridges in the area. Pont-y-Pair (the bridge of the cauldron), built in 1468, is buffeted by foaming water after heavy rain. A number of sign-posted walks in the surrounding countryside start near this bridge. A mile or so away is the Miner's Bridge, on the road to Capel Curig, where the miners crossed the river on a steep ladder to their work
Thomas Telford's iron Waterloo Bridge built in 1815, which carries the A5 across the River Conwy, bears the cast iron inscription "This arch was constructed in the same year the battle of Waterloo was fought". Also worth visiting are the awesome Conwy Falls off the road to Pentrefoelas and the beautiful Fairy Glen off the A470 where the River Conwy flows through a narrow gorge.
Up in the hills at nearby Capel Garmon there is a celebrated cromlech; a 5,000 year old Neolithic burial chamber. There are also spectacular views of the mountains of Snowdonia from Capel Garmon.
Local History
Stone Age man lived in the area and was responsible for the Neolithic Burial Chamber at Capel Garmon. The Celts arrived from Central Europe about 600 BC introducing the use of bronze and later iron-working. These Celts were known as the Britons.
The Romans invaded Britain in AD43 and by AD78 the conquest of Wales was complete. The lives of the Celtic peoples was not greatly affected in the area as the Romans were largely confined to their hill forts and roads. However the Romans left a legacy of improved agricultural practices and mining technology when they left Wales in AD383.
After the Romans left, much of Britain was overrun by the Anglo-Saxons and others from the continent, and the Picts of Scotland and the Irish also attacked the Celtic Britons, but the area around Snowdonia remained a Celtic stronghold.
The area was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd which covered north west Wales, although its borders changed depending on the fortunes of its ruler at the time. Although England was conquered by the Normans in 1066, Wales was not successfully conquered for over 200 years and it was during this period that many castles were built such as Dolwyddelan by the Welsh and Conwy by the Normans.
During this time Wales was perhaps at its strongest when Gwynedd was under the rule of Llewelyn ap Iorwerth also known as Llewelyn Fawr (Llewelyn the Great). With the final conquest of Wales by Edward I, and the death of Llewelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales (grandson of Llewelyn Fawr) in 1283, Wales was ruled by the English. This was the last Celtic rule until Merlin's prophecy came true and the Welsh Tudors took the throne of England.
The local economy was based on agriculture, and in the 19th century slate quarrying and woollen mills were developed. The slate quarries are now shut , but agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the economy along with tourism which developed in Victorian times and remains to this day.