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Porthmadog

Coordinates:52°55′37″N4°07′55″W/ 52.927°N 4.132°W/52.927; -4.132
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Porthmadog
Porthmadog Harbour was developed to exportslate
Porthmadog is located in Gwynedd
Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Location withinGwynedd
Area16.18 km2(6.25 sq mi)
Population4,185 (2011)
•Density259/km2(670/sq mi)
OS grid referenceSH565385
Community
  • Porthmadog
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPORTHMADOG
Postcode districtLL49
Dialling code01766
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Gwynedd
52°55′37″N4°07′55″W/ 52.927°N 4.132°W/52.927; -4.132

Porthmadog(Welsh:[pɔrθˈmadɔɡ]ⓘ), originallyPortmadocuntil 1974 and locally as "Port",[1]is a coastal town andcommunityin theEifionyddarea ofGwynedd,Wales,and thehistoric countyofCaernarfonshire.It lies 5 miles (8 km) east ofCriccieth,11 miles (18 km) south-west ofBlaenau Ffestiniog,25 miles (40 km) north ofDolgellauand 20 miles (32 km) south ofCaernarfon.The community population of 4,185 in the 2011 census was put at 4,134 in 2019.[2]It grew in the 19th century as a port for localslate,but as the trade declined, it continued as a shopping and tourism centre, being close toSnowdonia National Parkand theFfestiniog Railway.[3]The 1987National Eisteddfodwas held there.[4]It includes nearbyBorth-y-Gest,Morfa BychanandTremadog.[5]

History[edit]

Porthmadog came about after William Madocks built a sea wall, the Cob, in 1808–1811 to reclaim much ofTraeth Mawrfrom the sea for farming use. Diversion of theAfon Glaslyncaused it to scour out a new natural harbour deep enough for small ocean-going sailing ships,[6]and the first public wharves appeared in 1825. Quarry companies followed, with wharves along the shore almost to Borth-y-Gest, while slate was carted fromFfestiniogdown to quays along theAfon Dwyryd,then boated to Porthmadog for transfer to seagoing vessels.[7]

William Madocksbuilt a sea wall, the Cob, to reclaimTraeth Mawrfor agriculture.

In the later 19th-century, Porthmadog flourished as a port, its population rising from 885 in 1821 to over 3,000 by 1861. The rapidly growing cities of England needed high-quality roofingslate,which was brought to the new port bytramwayfrom quarries inFfestiniogandLlanfrothen.[6]TheFfestiniog Railwayopened in 1836, followed by theGorseddau Tramwayin 1856 and theCroesor Tramwayin 1864. By 1873 over 116,000 tons (117,800 t) were exported through Porthmadog in over a thousand ships.[8]Several shipbuilders were active at this time. They were known particularly for their three-mastedschoonerscalled Western Ocean Yachts, the last of which was launched in 1913.[6]

By 1841 the trackway across the reclaimed land had been straightened. It would develop into Stryd Fawr, the main commercial street of the town, with a range of shops and public houses and a post office, but the open green retained. A mineral railway toTremadogran along what would become Heol Madog. To the north was an industrial area of foundries, timber saw mills, slate works, a flour mill, a soda-pop plant and gasworks.[7]

Porthmadog's role as a commercial port, already reduced by the opening of theAberystwith and Welsh Coast Railwayin 1867, was effectively ended by theFirst World War,when the lucrative German market for slate collapsed. The 19th-century wharves survive, but the slate warehouses have been replaced by holiday apartments and the harbour is used by leisure yachts.[6]

Etymology[edit]

The name Porthmadog derives from its English spelling, Portmadoc, the official name until 1974.[1]This was a conjunction ofPortandMadocks,[9]although some believe it is named after a folklore character,Madog ab Owain Gwynedd,whose name appears also in "Ynys Fadog" ( "Madog Island" ).[1]

The earliest references to "Port Madoc" are from the 1820s in reference to shipping, well before the opening of theFfestiniog Railwayand the town's later growth.[10]The name first appeared on anOrdnance Surveymap in 1838.[11]

Governance[edit]

Ynyscynhaiarn was acivil parishin thecantrefofEifionydd.In 1858 alocal board of healthwas established under thePublic Health Act 1848,[12]and from 1889 this formed a second tier of local government inCaernarfonshire.Under theLocal Government Act 1894the local board became anurban district,which by 1902 had changed its name to Portmadoc.[13]In 1934 part of the area was transferred toDolbenmaenand a smaller area was taken in fromTreflys,which was abolished.[14]Porthmadog Urban Districtwas abolished in 1974, when it became part ofDwyfor Districtin the newcountyofGwynedd,though it retained limited powers as acommunity.Dwyfor itself disappeared when Gwynedd became aunitary authorityin 1996.[15]

The town now forms three divisions ofCyngor Gwynedd,each with one councillor. In 2012 Jason Humphreys, forLlais Gwynedd,was elected inPorthmadog East.[16]Selwyn Griffiths (Plaid Cymru) retained his seat in Porthmadog West unopposed.[17]Tremadogis included in the Porthmadog-Tremadog division withBeddgelertand part of Dolbenmaen.[18]In 2012 Alwyn Gruffydd forLlais Gwyneddretained the seat.[19]

Porthmadog Town Council has 16 elected members. In 2008, 12 of its councillors were elected unopposed: sevenIndependents,four Plaid Cymru and one Llais Gwynedd. There were four unfilled seats. The town divides into six wards: Gest, Morfa Bychan,East,West, Tremadog and Ynys Galch.[20][21]

From 1950 to 2010, Porthmadog was part ofCaernarfonparliamentary constituency, represented since 2001 byHywel Williams(Plaid Cymru). In 2010 the town became part of theDwyfor Meirionnyddconstituency. In theSenedd,it has since 2007 formed part ofDwyfor-Meirionnyddconstituency. It is represented byMabon ap Gwynfor.[22]It forms part of theelectoral regionofMid and West Wales.[23]

Geography[edit]

Porthmadog lies inEifionydd,on the estuary of theAfon Glaslyn,where it runs intoTremadog Bay.The estuary, filled with sediment deposited by rivers emptying from the melting glaciers at the end of thelast ice age,[24]is a haven for migrating birds.Oystercatchers,redshanksandcurlewsare common, as are summer flocks ofsandwich terns.[25]To the west loomsMoel y Gest,rising 863 feet (263 m) above the town as aMarilyn.[3]

The town's temperate maritime climate is influenced by theGulf Stream.

Average Temperatures and Precipitation[26]
Month Average high Average low Average precipitation
January 8.0 °C 3.0 °C 8.38 cm
February 8.0 °C 3.0 °C 5.59 cm
March 9.0 °C 4.0 °C 6.60 cm
April 11.0 °C 5.0 °C 5.33 cm
May 14.0 °C 8.0 °C 4.83 cm
June 17.0 °C 10.0 °C 5.33 cm
July 18.0 °C 12.0 °C 5.33 cm
August 19.0 °C 12.0 °C 7.37 cm
September 17.0 °C 11.0 °C 7.37 cm
October 14.0 °C 9.0 °C 9.14 cm
November 11.0 °C 6.0 °C 9.91 cm
December 9.0 °C 4.0 °C 9.40 cm
Climate data for Porthmadog, Wales, United Kingdom
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8
(46) 		8
(46) 		9
(48) 		11
(52) 		14
(57) 		17
(63) 		18
(64) 		19
(66) 		17
(63) 		14
(57) 		11
(52) 		9
(48) 		13
(55)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6
(43) 		6
(43) 		7
(45) 		8
(46) 		11
(52) 		14
(57) 		15
(59) 		16
(61) 		14
(57) 		12
(54) 		9
(48) 		7
(45) 		10
(51)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3
(37) 		3
(37) 		4
(39) 		5
(41) 		8
(46) 		10
(50) 		12
(54) 		12
(54) 		11
(52) 		9
(48) 		6
(43) 		4
(39) 		7
(45)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 83.8
(3.30) 		55.9
(2.20) 		66.0
(2.60) 		53.3
(2.10) 		48.3
(1.90) 		53.3
(2.10) 		53.3
(2.10) 		73.7
(2.90) 		73.7
(2.90) 		91.4
(3.60) 		99.1
(3.90) 		94.0
(3.70) 		845.8
(33.3)
[citation needed]

Villages[edit]

Borth-y-Gest[edit]

Borth-y-Gest, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Porthmadog, is built in a shallow bowl sweeping down to a sheltered bay, with hidden sandy coves and cliffs. Ships were built here before Porthmadog was established and houses, still known as "pilot houses", were erected at the mouth of the harbour so that pilots could watch for ships needing them.[27]The village and its rows ofVictorianhouses have retained much of its atmosphere and charm. Stryd Mersey leads up from the bay, flanked by terraced cottages.[25]

Before Porthmadog was developed, this was the starting point of a major crossing over the wide and dangerousGlaslynestuary. Locals earned money by guiding travellers across the treacherous sands ofTraeth MawrtoHarlech.[28]

Parc y Borth is a local nature reserve in deciduous woodland dominated by ancientWelsh oaks.Green woodpeckers,tawny owlsandpied flycatcherscan be seen among the branches.[29]

On the shore is another nature reserve, Pen y Banc, a mixture of coastal rocks, secluded sandy coves and mixed woodland. Established in 1996, it is a good spot to see wading birds. Its beaches attract many visitors. The mild climate results in a wide variety of vegetation, fromgorseandheatherthrough toblackthorn,crab apple,andbirch.[30]

Morfa Bychan[edit]

Main article:Morfa Bychan

Morfa Bychan,2.1 miles (3.4 km) south-west of Porthmadog, has a wide beach, Black Rock Sands (Welsh: Traeth Morfa Bychan),[31]with Graig Ddu, a rocky headland, at its western end. At low tide, rock pools and caverns are exposed.[32]The beach is popular with windsurfers,[33]and is unusual in allowing vehicles onto the sands.[34]

Sand dunes behind the beach form part of Morfa Bychan and Greenacres Nature Reserve.[35]Standing in a field is Cist Cerrig, adolmen,[36]near which are rocks containingcup marks.[37]

In 1996 there were protests backed byCymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraegagainst the building of 800 houses at Morfa Bychan.[38]These followed aHigh Courtdecision that planning permission granted in 1964 remained valid. The owners of the site later entered a legal agreement withCyngor Gwynedd,allowing a caravan site and nature reserve to be placed on part of the site, which ensured that the 1964 permit could no longer be implemented. The council also settled a compensation claim by developers for the way the matter had been handled.[39]

Tremadog[edit]

Tremadogis aplanned settlementbuilt byWilliam Madockson land reclaimed fromTraeth Mawr.
Main article:Tremadog

Tremadog,aplanned settlement0.9 miles (1.4 km) north of Porthmadog, was built on land reclaimed fromTraeth MawrbyWilliam Madocks.In 1805 the first cottages appeared in what Madocks called Pentre Gwaelod ( "Bottom Village" ), which was designed to give an impression of aborough,with a central Town Hall and Dance Room. Industry included in the plan consisted of a Manufactory, Loomery,fulling millandcorn mill,all worked by water power.[40]

To the north is Tan-yr-Allt, a property bought by Madocks for the firstRegencyhouse inGwynedd.The sloping garden consists mainly of lawns planted with trees and shrubs. It includes a memorial toPercy Bysshe Shelley.[41]

Demography[edit]

At the 2001 census, Porthmadog had a population of 4,187,[42]of whom 18.2 per cent were below the age of 16 and 23.6 per cent were over 65 years of age; 69.5 per cent of households were in owner-occupied accommodation and 24.6 per cent were renting. Holiday homes accounted for 12.5 per cent of dwellings.[43]

Population Growth[44][45][46][47][48]
Year 1801 1811 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881
Population 525 889 885 1,075 1,888 2,347 3,138 4,367 5,506
Year 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1939 1951 1961 2001
Population 5,224 4,883 4,445 4,184 3,986 4,618 4,061 3,960 4,187
Year 2011 2021
Population 4,185 3,970

According to the 2011 census, 71% of residents were born in Wales and 24.5% in England.[49]

Economy[edit]

At the 2001 census, 44.3 per cent of the working-age population were employed, 11.5 per cent self-employed, 5.3 per cent unemployed and 20.4 per cent retired. Of the employed, 33.0 per cent worked in the distribution, hotel and catering trades and 23.5 per cent in public administration, education and health.[43]

TheFfestiniog Railway,opened in 1836, was built to transportslatefromFfestiniogto the new port at Porthmadog.

Porthmadog expanded rapidly as a slate-exporting port. Slate had already reachedKing's Lynnand thePort of Wisbechby 1830 and was shipped further inland in barges for use in lateGeorgian eradevelopment.[50]Welsh slate was also in high demand as a construction material in the English industrial cities and transported to the new port by horse-drawn tramways. TheFfestiniog Railway,opened in 1836 as a gravity railway with horses hauling empty slate waggons back up to the quarries, was converted to steam operation in 1863; trains ran straight onto the wharves. By 1873 116,000 tons (117,800 t) of slate were being shipped out of Porthmadog and other trade developed. The Carnarvonshire and Merionethshire Steamship Company formed in 1864 purchased theRebeccato carry stores fromLiverpoolto supply the growing town.[51]TheFirst World Warmarked the end of Porthmadog's exports. No new ships were built, several were sunk by enemy action, and most of the survivors were sold. The arrival at Blaenau Ffestiniog of the LNWR in 1879 and the GWR in 1883 brought a steady decline in the slate traffic carried by the Festiniog Railway and Portmadoc shipping. Some slate had been carried via the Festiniog Railway, the Croesor & Portmadoc Railway and the Cambrian Railways after the latter's line had been opened between Barmouth and Pwllheli in 1867; this traffic was diverted to the exchange yard established between the Festiniog Railway and the Cambrian Railways at Minffordd in 1872.[52]By 1925 less than five per cent ofFfestiniog's slate output went out by sea. The final load of slate delivered by rail left by sea from Porthmadog in 1946. Two months later the railway ceased commercial operations.[53]

Before construction of the Cob in 1812, ships had been built at locations roundTraeth Mawr.As the town developed, several shipbuilders from theMeirionnyddside moved to the new port, buildingbrigs,schooners,barquentinesandbrigantines.After the arrival of the railway there was a reduction in trade, but a new type of ship, theWestern Ocean Yacht,was developed for thesalt codindustry inNewfoundland and Labrador.Shipbuilding came to an end in 1913, the last vessel built being theGestiana,which was lost on its maiden voyage.[53]

In the 19th-century Porthmadog had at least three iron foundries. The Glaslyn Foundry opened in 1848, and the Union Iron Works in 1869. The Britannia Foundry, oppositePorthmadog Harbour Railway Stationappeared in 1851 and grew rapidly with the town's prosperity. It supplied slate-working machinery and railway equipment to all but one of the slate quarries operating in England and Wales. A lucrative sideline was the production of drains and manhole covers forCaernarfonshire's roads.[54]

Culture[edit]

Porthmadog is a mainly Welsh-speaking community: 74.9 per cent of the inhabitants speak it regularly.[43]The highest proportion of Welsh speakers is in the 10–14 age range at 96.3 per cent. Almost all community activities are held in Welsh. Porthmadog hosted theNational Eisteddfodin 1987.[4]

Y Ganolfan on Stryd Fawr, built in 1975, is a venue for concerts, exhibitions and other community events. It has also hosted televisedwrestlingmatches.[55]

Porthmadog Maritime Museum on Oakley Wharf occupies an old slate shed. It has displays of schooners built in the town and the men who sailed them.[56]

Landmarks[edit]

TheFfestiniog Railwayis a popular tourist attraction, carrying visitors through mountain scenery toBlaenau Ffestiniog.

The Cob is a prominent embankment built across theGlaslynestuary in 1811 byWilliam Madocksto reclaim land atTraeth Mawrfor agriculture. It opened with a four-day feast and Eisteddfod celebrating the roadway connectingCaernarfonshiretoMeirionnydd,which figured in Madocks's plans for a road from London to his proposed port atPorthdinllaen.Three weeks later, the embankment was breached by high tides and Madocks's supporters had to drum up money and men from all Caernarfonshire to repair the breach and strengthen the whole embankment. By 1814 it was open again, but Madocks's finances were in ruins.[40]By 1836 theFfestiniog Railwayhad opened its line across the embankment. It then become the main route forFfestiniogslate to reach the new port at Porthmadog.[57]In 1927 the Cob was breached again and took several months to repair.[6]In 2012, 260 metres of the embankment were widened on the seaward side of the Porthmadog end to allow a second platform to be added to the Ffestiniog Railway's Harbour Station.

The former tollhouse at the north-western end of the Cob has slate-clad walls. It is one of few buildings to retain the interlocking slate ridge-tiles devised by Moses Kellow, manager ofCroesor Quarry.[57]The toll was abolished in 2003 when theWelsh Assembly Governmentbought the Cob.[58]

Pen Cei, to the west of the harbour was a centre of the harbour's commercial activities. Boats were built and repaired. There were slate wharves for each quarry company with tracks connecting to the railway. Bron Guallt, built in 1895, was the Oakeley Quarry shipping agent's house.[59]Grisiau Mawr ( "Big Steps" ) connected the quay to Garth and houses were built for the ship owners and sea captains.[27]A School of Navigation was also built.[7]

Melin Yr Wyddfa ( "Snowdon Mill" ) on Heol Y Wyddfa is a formerflour millbuilt in 1862. A scheme of renovation and conversion to luxury flats began there, but has yet to reach completion.[27]

TheWelsh Highland Heritage Railway,not to be confused withWelsh Highland Railway,is a three-quarter-mile (1.2 km) heritage railway. It includes an award-winning miniature railway, a heritage centre, a shop and a cafe.

Kerfoots, in aVictorianbuilding on Stryd Fawr, is a small department store founded in 1874. It contains a unique spiral staircase, chandeliers and slender cast-iron columns to support the upper floors. The Millennium Dome, constructed by local craftsmen in 1999 to mark the store's 125th anniversary, is made of stained glass depicting scenes from Porthmadog in 1874.[6]

The Royal Sportsman Hotel (Welsh: Gwesty'r Heliwr) on Stryd Fawr was built in 1862 as a staging post on the turnpike road toPorthdinllaen.The arrival of the railway five years later brought rising numbers of tourists, and the hotel soon became famous for its liveried carriage and horses to take guests to local sightseeing spots. The building is ofFfestiniogslate; the original stone and slate fireplaces remain.[60]

The War Memorial stands on top of Ynys Galch, one of the former islands reclaimed fromTraeth Mawr.[61]Taking the form of aCeltic crossand standing 16 feet (4.9 m) high, it was fashioned fromTreforgranite and unveiled "in memory of ninety-seven fallen war heroes of Madoc Vale" in 1922.[62]

OnMoel y Gest,a hill above the town, is anIron Agestone-walled hill fort.[63]

Education[edit]

The town has three localprimary schools.The bilingual Ysgol Eifion Wyn in Stryd Fawr, named after a local poet,Eliseus Williams (Eifion Wyn),has 204 pupils.[64]It moved into new premises in 2003. There are units for children with special educational needs or with language difficulties. At the last school inspection byEstynin 2004, 9 per cent of pupils were entitled tofree school mealsand 72 per cent came from homes where Welsh was the main spoken language.[65]

Ysgol Borth-y-Gest in Stryd Mersey, Borth-y-Gest, is the smallest of the three with 70 pupils.[64]A 2009 report byCyngor Gwynedd,Excellent Primary Education For Children In Gwynedd, set out the future for county primary schools.[66]That of Ysgol Borth-y-Gest, built in 1880, had been in doubt.[67][68]In 2006, at the last inspection byEstyn,3 per cent of pupils were entitled to free school meals and 20 per cent came from homes where Welsh was the main spoken language.[69]

Ysgol y Gorlan inTremadoghas 122 pupils.[64]When Estyn last inspected in 2008, ten per cent of pupils were entitled to free school meals and some 50 per cent came from homes where Welsh was the main spoken language.[70]

Ysgol Eifionyddin Stryd Fawr is a bilingual comprehensive school for ages 11–16, founded about 1900. It has 484 pupils.[64]At the last Estyn inspection, in 2006, 8 per cent of pupils were entitled to free school meals and Welsh was the main home spoken language of about 50 per cent. One per cent had an ethnic minority background.[71]

Transport[edit]

Porthmadog lies on theA487trunk road between theFishguardandBangor.TheA498runs north from Porthmadog toBeddgelert,for access toSnowdonia.TheA497runs west through the southernLlŷn PeninsulatoCricciethandPwllheli.In 2008 theWelsh Assembly Governmentissued plans for aA487 Porthmadog, Minffordd and Tremadog Bypassto reduce through traffic.[72]This officially opened on 17 October 2011.[73]

Porthmadog Harbour Railway Stationis the southern terminus of the rebuiltWelsh Highland Railway.

Of the town's three railway stations,Porthmadogon theCambrian Coast Linebetween Pwllheli andMachynllethis served byTransport for WalesforShrewsbury,WolverhamptonandBirmingham.[74]Porthmadog Harbourat the southern end of Stryd Fawr, has been theFfestiniog Railwayterminus since passenger services started in 1865.[75]Since 2011 it is also the southern terminus of the rebuiltWelsh Highland RailwayfromCaernarfon.[76][77]TheWelsh Highland Heritage Railwayhas its main station and visitor centre near the north end of Stryd Fawr on the formerCambrian Railwayssidings opposite the mainline station. Trains run toPen-y-Mount.[78]

Buses are run byArriva Buses Wales,Gwynfor Coaches, Lloyds Coaches and Caelloi Motors, toAberystwyth,Bangor, Beddgelert, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Caernarfon, Criccieth,Dolgellau,Machynlleth,Morfa Bychan,Penrhyndeudraeth,Pen-y-Pass,Portmeirion,Pwllheli,RhydandTremadog.[79]

Notable people[edit]

Percy Bysshe ShelleyfledTremadogafter an alleged attempt on his life by a nocturnal intruder.
Lawrence of Arabia
  • T. E. Lawrence(1888–1935), known asLawrence of Arabia,was born at what is now Lawrence House inTremadog.He became renowned for his role in theArab Revoltof 1916 and for his vivid writings about his experiences.[87]
  • To finance the construction and repairs to the Cob,William Madocks(1773–1828), let out his own house in Tremadog. His first tenant was the vegetarian poetPercy Bysshe Shelley(1792–1822), who antagonised locals by criticising the production of sheep for consumption and running up debts with local merchants. Shelley made a hasty departure after an alleged attempt on his life by a nocturnal intruder, without paying his rent or contributing to the fund set up to support Madocks.[40]During his tenancy, Shelley had writtenQueen Mab.[41]
  • TheSpooner familycontributed a major amount to developing railways in the area over more than 70 years in the 19th century.
  • WWEWrestlerMason Ryan(born 1982), real nameBarri Griffithsis from the area.

Sport[edit]

Porthmadog Football Club,founded in 1872, is one of the oldest in Wales. It plays atY Traeth.The club won the North Wales League in 1902/1903 and reached the final of the Welsh Amateur Cup in 1905/1906. It again won the league championship in 1937/1938 and was Welsh Amateur Cup winner in 1955/56 and 1956/57. It was league champion for three successive seasons in 1966/69, and twice so in the 1970s. In 1989/1990 it topped theWelsh Alliance Leagueand gained a place in the newCymru Alliance.The club became an inaugural member of theLeague of Walesin 1992, in the first season finishing ninth. The following year Porthmadog strikerDave Taylorwas the highest scoring player in Europe. The club nearly folded in 1995/96 for financial reasons and lost its place in the League of Wales in 1998. It played the following year in the Cymru Alliance, winning the League Cup, but not until 2002/03 did it gain a 19-point lead over its nearest rivals to regain theWelsh Premier League.[88]The club was heavily fined and had points deducted by theFootball Association of Walesin 2007 after a referee was racially abused by a supporter, but an appeal to an independent tribunal reduced the fine and the points were reinstated.[89]In the 2008/2009 season Porthmadog narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 16th.[90]

Clwb Rygbi Porthmadog, based at Clwb Chwaraeon Madog, playsrugby unionin WRU Division 3 North organised by the Welsh Rugby Union, having gained promotion from the Gwynedd league in the 2011/2012 season.[91]

Porthmadog Harbour is home to both Porthmadog Sailing Club and Madoc Yacht Club.

Porthmadog Golf Club atMorfa Bychanopened in 1906 on land rented from a farmer. The original tenancy agreement stipulated that golfers must take no game, hares, rabbits or wildfowl and pay compensation for any sheep or cattle killed or injured. The landlord agreed not to turn on to the land any bull or savage cattle.[92]Created byJames Braid,five times winner of theBritish Open,the course is a mixture ofheathandlinks.The first nine holes head inland over heathland. The final nine, heading back towards the sea, are pure links. The 14th hole, "The Himalayas", is a 378 yards (346 m) par 4 with a huge naturalbunkerhiding the green from the tee.[93]

Porthmadog Sailing Club, formed in 1958, initially operated from a marquee in a field. In 1964 the club merged with Trawsfynydd Sailing Club and a clubhouse was built. Weekend dinghy racing is run and facilities are provided for cruisers.[94]

Madoc Yacht Club, founded in 1970, is based in the former harbourmaster's office and has an extensive cruising and racing programme, including two races to Ireland. In 2001 a Celtic longboat was purchased and a sea-rowing section formed, which now has four boats. The club competes as part of the Welsh Sea Rowing Association[95]

Glaslyn Leisure Centre on Stryd y Llan has a 25-metre swimming pool and sports hall, badminton, squash and tennis courts, a sauna, a five-a-side football pitch and a dance studio.[96]

Sea angling is popular in the coast villages. Borth-y-Gest offersflounder,bass,mullet,whitingandmackerel.[97]Morfa Bychanprovides bass, flounder, eel, whiting and occasionalturbot.[98]Bass, flounder and huge schools of whiting are found atBlack Rock Sands,along withthornback ray,mackerel andgarfish.[99]Bass, flatfish, eel and some very large mullet can be caught inPorthmadog Harbour,in the heart of the town, though care must be taken to avoid taking the poisonouslesser weever.[100]

TheLôn Las Cymrucycle route passes through Porthmadog on its way fromHolyheadtoCardiff.

Glaslyn Angling Association controls fishing rights on most ofAfon Glaslynup toBeddgelert.It mainly holdssea trout,butsalmonandbrown troutappear.[101]The river had suffered from acid rain and afforestation, but its water quality has improved.[102][103]Glan Morfa Mawr Trout Fisheryat Morfa Bychan is stocked withrainbow trout[104]

A cycle route crosses the Cob as part ofLôn Las Cymru,the Welsh national route fromHolyheadin the north to eitherCardifforChepstowin the south. It is 250 miles (400 km) long and crosses three mountain ranges.[105]

Tremadog's qualityrock climbingbrings climbers from all over Britain, thedoleritecliffs often being dry when it is too wet to climb in the mountains ofSnowdonia.[106]Craig Bwlch y Mochis seen as one of the best crags in Wales.[107]

Afell raceon the slopes ofMoel y Gestknown as"Râs Moel y Gest"is held each year, starting in the town.[108][109]

Bathing is popular at the broad beach of Black Rock Sands, with a predicted water quality of "excellent".[110][111]Borth-y-Gest has a sand-and-pebble beach where bathing is safe inshore, but there are fast currents further out.[112]

Twinning[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Wales

Porthmadog istwinnedwith the following places:

References[edit]

  1. ^abc"What's in a name: Porthmadog".British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived fromthe originalon 14 November 2012.Retrieved17 April2013.
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External links[edit]

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