Shell Island@ Barmouth Wales UK
Old fishing boat and Barmouth Bridge in Barmouth Harbour with Cader (Cadair) mountains behind (part of Snowdonia National Park), Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales,
Barmouth (Welsh: Abermaw (formal); Y Bermo (colloquial)) is a town in the county of Gwynedd, north-western Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay.[1] Located in the Historic county of Merionethshire, the Welsh form of the name is derived from "Aber" (estuary) and the river's name, "Mawddach".
The town is served by Barmouth railway station.
Barmouth, with Cader Idris in the background, 1865.
The town in the 1890s
Barmouth Sands by William Collins, 1835, Guildhall Gallery, London
The town grew around the shipbuilding industry, and more recently as a seaside resort. Notable buildings include the mediaeval Tŷ Gwyn tower house, the 19th century Tŷ Crwn roundhouse prison and St John's Church.
William Wordsworth, a visitor to Barmouth in the 19th century, described it thus: "With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles [13 km] inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day's walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival.
Dinas Oleu (Citadel of Light), which is located east of the town on the adjoining hillside, was the first tract of land to be donated to the National Trust.
In January 2014 two trains were stranded at Barmouth after severe winter storms destroyed the sea wall at nearby Llanaber.
Transport
Barmouth Bridge, which takes the Cambrian Line over the River Mawddach, was also formerly at the end of the GWR Ruabon Barmouth line, which passed through Bala and Dolgellau. The southern end of the bridge is now the start of the Mawddach Trail, a cycle path and walk way that utilises the old trackbed.
The Barmouth Ferry sails from Barmouth to Penrhyn Point, where it connects with the narrow gauge Fairbourne Railway for the village of Fairbourne.
Barmouth is (geographically) one of the closest seaside resorts to the English West Midlands and a large proportion of its tourist visitors, as well as its permanent residents, are from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley and other parts of the Black Country, and Telford, Shropshire.
The town has a RNLI lifeboat station with a Visitors' Centre with shop and viewing gallery.
Sport
The nearest rugby club is in Dolgellau, 7 miles (11 kilometres) away.
Barmouth has one major association football team: Barmouth & Dyffryn United, the team competes in the Welsh Alliance league and is generally well supported by residents.
Barmouth is the venue for the annual Barmouth Beach Race, a motocross event. Usually taking place on the last weekend in October, the event sees riders take part in beach racing, using a temporary motocross course constructed on the beach. Over 200 riders typically take part in this event, with spectators attending free of charge. The event attracts champion riders from England and Wales.
The busy harbour plays host to the annual Three Peaks yacht race.
At Barmouth 20 Mins drive from Shell Island .
A small whirlpool at Shell Island Wales UK.
