Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay photos (31 available)
Colwyn Bay maps (2 available)
Map of Clwyd
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Colwyn Bay memories
Read and share memories of Colwyn Bay and Clwyd inspired by Frith photos
Re donkey Path
My memory of the donkey path on the promenade. I used to walk from Old Colwyn to Rhos on Sea nearly every sunny day during the summer school holidays. They were the best Swimming Baths I have ever swum in, at Rhos. The donkey path ran alongside the prom, below the railway embankment. Primroses blessed the grassy banks in the spring. The path meandered through trees , it was wonderful. Fond memories of my wonderful childhood.
Contributed by Joanna Jarvis
Clwyd memories
Re donkey Path
My memory of the donkey path on the promenade. I used to walk from Old Colwyn to Rhos on Sea nearly every sunny day during the summer school holidays. They were the best Swimming Baths I have ever swum in, at Rhos. The donkey path ran alongside the prom, below the railway embankment. Primroses blessed the grassy banks in the spring. The path meandered through trees , it was wonderful. Fond memories of my wonderful childhood.
A memory of Colwyn Bay contributed by Joanna Jarvis
The Donkey Path
Re The Donkey path. I think Joanne is wrong - I know the embankment you speak of, there used to be a miniature railway which ran along the bottom of the embankment from the Prom entrance of Erias Park along to the Pier. The Donkey Path went/goes from opposite the Marine Hotel in Old Colwyn down to the beach, it branched off towards Glan Y Don and the Civic Centre to the rear of the Police HQ. It was so called as a Donkey was raffled to raise money for the making the path.
A memory of Old Colwyn contributed by Andrew Jones
The donkey path to the beach
Does anyone remember the `Donkey Path`? The fairy glen looks vaguely familiar but I was very young and can`t remember details. My aunt and family lived in one of the beautiful houses overlooking the beach in Old Colwyn. The houses were knocked down when the bypass was introduced to the town. My aunt emigrated to Australia after that.
I just remember an exciting time going for walks along the donkey path to the beach. Thinking of it now I can almost smell the seaside.
A memory of Old Colwyn contributed by Erica James
Extracts From Colwyn Bay & Clwyd books
Of the fine climate of Colwyn Bay there can be no doubt whatsoever. Flowers bloom here until well on towards Christmas, and are out again in some profusion in February. The gently-sloping sands extend for a mile or two, and are perfectly safe for children; while the deep water wherein the expert swimmer loves to disport himself is not too far out to be tiresome.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Seaside".
This popular seaside resort sits in a wide sweep of bay on the north coast, with wooded hills behind the promenade, which fronts miles of safe sandy beach. The resort, less brash than Rhyl and its cohorts, has been well patronised since the 1860s, and prides itself on its mild climate. Wonderfully evocative of a real seaside holiday, this picture shows all age-groups enjoying themselves on the famous Colwyn Bay sands, where the pier was soon to stand. The building on the right, with its steeply-pitched slate roof, is the old Colwyn Bay Hotel, demolished in 1975. Note the pram with its penny-farthing-style wheels.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
The pier is pictured with its grand pavilion, during the year it opened. Well-dressed ‘promenaders’ stroll along the parade, while in the foreground a troupe of minstrels entertain a crowd of holidaymakers. A late Victorian guide book noted that ‘of the fine climate of Colwyn Bay there can be no doubt. Flowers bloom here until well on towards Christmas, and are out again in some profusion in February’.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
Crowds stroll along the pier, beside the original Pier Pavilion, which is advertising the popular French conductor Jules Rivieres and his grand orchestra. The pavilion, which seated 2,500 people, was destroyed by fire, as was its successor. Restoration of the by then derelict pier began in 1996. The elegance of the pier was reflected in the broad streets of the town, which were built to resemble fine boulevards.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
Crowds stroll along the pier, beside the original Pavilion, where the popular French conductor Jules Rivieres and his grand orchestra are playing. The pavilion, which seated 25,00 people, was destroyed by fire, as was its sucessor. Restoration of the pier began in 1996. The elegance of the pier was reflected in the broad streets of the town, which were built to resemble fine boulevards.
An extract from from"Welsh Address Book".