Criccieth
Criccieth maps (2 available)
Map of Gwynedd
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
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Criccieth books (1 available)
- 6 photos on Criccieth appear in 5 Frith books - View photos of Criccieth
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Criccieth and Gwynedd
Criccieth memories
Read and share memories of Criccieth and Gwynedd inspired by Frith photos
I was fortunate enough to have spent a holiday at "Brynawelon", Criccieth in the mid 50's. I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle who rented a cottage in the grounds. My Aunt introduced me to Sosia {Soshia} who was the Polish housekeeper's daughter - we were inseparable. We would slide down the highly polished wooden bannister in the main hallway, onto a lion skin, {I was horrified!} We hopped and skipped and jumped the days away and all too soon it was time to say goodbye. I remember our traumatic parting as if it was yesterday, my Aunt turned to my Mother and said "parting is such sweet sorrow". I often think of the delightful girl with the smile that would ...read more here
Contributed by Lorna Enslin
Gwynedd memories
I was fortunate enough to have spent a holiday at "Brynawelon", Criccieth in the mid 50's. I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle who rented a cottage in the grounds. My Aunt introduced me to Sosia {Soshia} who was the Polish housekeeper's daughter - we were inseparable. We would slide down the highly polished wooden bannister in the main hallway, onto a lion skin, {I was horrified!} We hopped and skipped and jumped the days away and all too soon it was time to say goodbye. I remember our traumatic parting as if it was yesterday, my Aunt turned to my Mother and said "parting is such sweet sorrow". I often think of the delightful girl with the smile that would ...read more here
A memory of Criccieth contributed by Lorna Enslin
Lon Y Gert
I have a letter dated 1935 signed your brother William Hugh Jones to my grandfather James Oscough Jones who lived in Garn unable to find my grandfathers birth record not sure if he was adopted still checking he did live at Lon Gert found family possibly his as it states on my grandfathers marriage father as Hugh Jones:-
Hugh b abt 1851-1911 and Anne b 1862-1918. The children were
William Hugh b abt 1884, Maggie Olwen b abt 1888-1918, Alice Mary b abt 1891, Elizabeth Ann b abt 1896, Hugh Thomas b abt 1898,
Annie Elizabeth b abt 1893-1894 and Ann M b abt 1904.
I have a picture of William Hugh Jones aswell.
A memory of Garndolbenmaen contributed by Jeanette Scott
Borth Y Gest - Simply The Best
I'm privileged to be the first to leave a memory relating to Borth Y Gest. I first had a holiday there in 1964. The owner of the factory where my dad was director owned a lovely holiday home in an elevated position in Mersey Street. The house is called "Mirain" and has unrivalled views across the estuary to Harlech. We had at least one holiday a year there until 1978 when the house was sold. I've continued holidaying in the Portmadoc/Criccieth area every year since and feel like I know it as well as I do my home town. These days when we (my wife, son and I) go to the area we stay in a ...read more here
A memory of Borth-Y-Gest contributed by Paul Woodin
Extracts From Criccieth & Gwynedd books
The golf club was established in 1905, on parkland set high above Cardigan Bay. The landscape in this photograph gives the appearance of great antiquity, with low stone walls and irregularly-shaped fields where sheep graze. Here, the club professional, Mr Owens, is offering instruction at the first hole. Lloyd George was once President of the Club.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
This resort on the south side of the Llyn peninsula became popular in Victorian times and has remained so ever since. The two sandy beaches are separated by a headland crowned by a Norman castle, developed by Edward I. The statesman Lloyd George (1863-1945) was born in the nearby village of Llanystumdwy, and Criccieth has inevitably become associated with him. The castle was originally a Welsh stronghold fortified by Llewelyn the Great and his sons, but it fell into English hands and was rebuilt in 1285 by Edward I.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
This magnificent view was taken from the east. The stooks lend period atmosphere to the harvest scene; the view today is far more built-up. Criccieth was once a modest market town, but it grew into a select watering-place when the Cambrian railway reached it. Its unspoilt beach, fine coastal vistas and village atmosphere drew the more discerning visitor.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
Criccieth was a Welsh fortress, and was probably completed in the early 13th century by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. It was captured by the English early in 1283, who immediately set about improving its defensive capability; Edward Longshanks committed a great deal of money to the project. Further work was carried out between 1287 and 1288, and the towers were heightened during the reign of Edward II. Criccieth became something of a hybrid: an Edwardian inner ward inside what was essentially a Welsh outer ward. In 1326 the garrison stood at ten men; their main defensive weapon was the crossbow. It fired a heavy, hard-hitting bolt that could penetrate armour at ranges up to 250 yds.
An extract from from"Welsh Castles".
A policeman is perhaps waiting to direct the vehicles and protect the pedestrians, unaware as they seem of the approaching car. The Victorians firmly established Criccieth as a rather genteel watering hole for the holidaying classes, and its architecture certainly reflects this to this day. Only the castle is a reminder of past conflicts between Welsh and English. A Welsh castle, built in the early 13th century, it was later refashioned by Edward I after he defeated the Welsh in 1282.
An extract from from"Wales Living Memories".