About Dolgellau

 Dolgellau

Dolgellau is a small market town situated at the foot of the Cader Idris mountain range in south Snowdonia. It began as a village in the twelfth century and evolved into todays town with its narrow streets linking together the various town squares. The present St. Mary's Church dates back to 1716, but this was built on the remains of an earlier building from the twelfth century. There are even earlier remains by Ffynnon Mair (Mary's Spring) which was thought to have had healing properties centuries ago. Roman coins were found there around two-hundred years ago.

Owain Glyndwr held the last Welsh Parliament in Dolgellau in 1404 and Dolgellau was the county town of Meirionnydd in the late 19th century.

The town's development was due to its central part in the county's woollen industry which reached its peak around 1800, but declined over the following century due to the birth of mechanical mills.

The town and local area was also the main focal point for the development of the Quakers who were established here 1657. In 1686 Rowland Elis, a prominent local Quaker, emigrated to Pennsylvania and founded "Bryn Mawr" the famous women's college at the University in Pennsylvania (named after his home which is situated close to the town).

The Welsh gold rush of the 19th Century was centred on the area. The gold and copper mines in the hills around the town employed over 500 miners towards the end of the Century.

Dolgellau is an excellent base for touring Snowdonia. There are many routes to the summit of Cader Idris and the Coed y Brenin forest is situated a few miles north. Ten minutes drive away is the beautiful sandy beach at Barmouth, at the mouth of the River Mawddach.

Each year, Dolgellau hosts an annual folk and rock festival on the last weekend of July called Sesiwn Fawr which is based around Eldon Square.