Dolgellau
Dolgellau maps (2 available)
Map of Gwynedd
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
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Dolgellau books (2 available)
- 6 photos on Dolgellau appear in 4 Frith books - View photos of Dolgellau
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Dolgellau and Gwynedd
Dolgellau memories
Read and share memories of Dolgellau and Gwynedd inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Gwynedd below.
Gwynedd memories
Arthog
From early 1960s onwards: At school in London we had 2 summer holidays at Min-y-Don. The first time we travelled by coach, we got lost and arrived in the dark. The following year we came by train from Paddington. We had to change at Gobowen and Ruabon, arriving late in the afternoon. My pals and I spent all our time exploring the area, on one excursion we were dropped off at Abergwynolwyn and had to make our way back over Cader Idris. Two of us lost our bearings slightly and arrived back nearer to Dolgellau than Arthog and had to thumb a lift home. Probably wouldn't be allowed now. Walking one evening a farmer pulled up in his Land Rover and ...read more here
A memory of Arthog contributed by Alan Spillett
The Plas Mynach Llanaber road
60 odd years ago Plas Mynach was de-requisitioned from war service. I worked for a Mr Hamblin from Birmingham, he had purchased the building to reopen as a hotel after we had refurbished throughout. All food stuff was still on ration so we kept a pig, ducks fowl etc, and scoured the district farms to buy eggs, butter and the odd lamb, all very hush hush in those days. The work was very hard, from 7.30am until 9pm was quite common. I well remember the new white cinema with a tin roof, when it rained you could not hear the sound track.
What has happened to Plas Mynach now, I have many memories.
A memory of Barmouth contributed by derek hyde
MY PARADISE
Way back in my childhood, brothers two and then plus me,
Mom and Dad said let us pack our bags, and go down to the sea,
Down to the railway station, our entourage did go,
Comic books within our hands, cause, four hours, they went so slow
Now as the train pulls into town, his whistle he did blow,
To warn the people off the tracks, so he could pull in, real, real, slow
When we had helped to pitch the tent, and all was most secure,
The three of us crossed the promenade, to play upon the shore
We walked a little way and saw, men making pictures in the sand,
And sitting close a Harpist, playing ...read more here
A memory of Barmouth contributed by Mary Miles-Geary
The best of times
My Mum and Dad first brought me to Fairbourne when I was born in 1966. My father and his father before him had been coming to the same bungalow (Min-y-Don on the Coast Road - Penrhyn Drive South) all their lives. Mum Dad and my sister visited Fairbourne every summer till I was 16. What happy memories. Each morning we would walk to the bakery for bread rolls - I can smell them now. If the weather was fine we played on the beech, went rock climbing or took the little train to the Barmouth ferry. Each year we did the same trips, to the butcher in Dollgellau, stopping off for a coke and a packet of crisps at the ...read more here
A memory of Fairbourne contributed by William Cock
Extracts From Dolgellau & Gwynedd books
This view, taken from the station, shows the town and Cadair Idris, the River Wnion, the famous 17th-century bridge and tollhouse, and the tower of St Mary’s church. The scene has been obliterated by time - the railway shut down in 1965, and the A494 has been rebuilt through the centre of the picture.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
The traditional, stone-built market town of Dolgellau has developed at a crossing point on the river Wnion. It became the county town of Merioneth, and was noted for Welsh Tween and flanned manufacturing. Behind, the peak of Cadair idris rises to 2927 feet. Although it is only Merioneth`s second highest mountain, it is by far the most impressive in aspect.
An extract from from"Gwynedd and Anglesey Photographic Memories".
Dolgellau was the county town of the old county of Merioneth, and is set amid the mountains which are famous for Welsh gold - the mines here provided gold for Royal wedding rings. From the mid 17th century there was a strong Quaker presence in Dolgellau. Here, shopkeepers, their families and employees pose for the photographer; note Dick’s display of shoes on the right. A motor car can be seen in the centre of the picture, driven by a uniformed chauffeur. This is the 20th century, after all, and sophisticated technology is here to stay. Yet a shop on the right has yokes for dairy maids and farm workers for sale - medieval equipment is still here as well.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
The town’s arcaded Market House of 1870 stands in the Square. The local dark building stone has given Dolgellau much of its character. The town was a centre for the manufacture of flannels, coarse woollen cloths and kerseys. Currying and tanning were also carried on. The Midland Bank, on the right, is a typically self-important building.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
A Little Chef and a more modern fuel station (the Mile End service station) has now taken the place of this homely café we see here offering teas and the delights of the ubiquitous Hovis loaf. This filling station was situated on a narrow road that twisted into the town of Dolgellau. The desire to improve communications has not been kind as the modernised A470 bypasses the old market town altogether.
An extract from from"Wales Living Memories".