Penmaenpool (Welsh: Llynpenmaen) is a hamlet on the south side of the estuary of the River Mawddach in Wales, near Dolgellau. A Grade II listed toll bridge provides access across the estuary for light vehicles.
Penmaenpool
| |
|---|---|
 Penmaenpool with Cader Idris in the background | |
  Penmaenpool Location within Gwynedd | |
| OS grid reference | SH693184 |
| Community | |
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DOLGELLAU |
| Postcode district | LL40 |
| Dialling code | 01341 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Points of interest
edit
Penmaenpool toll bridge is a wooden toll bridge built in 1879 to replace a ferry crossing. It links the A493 running along the south bank of the Mawddach to the A496 running along the north. It is Cadw-registered and was Grade II listed in 1990.[1][2] The bridge can only be used by vehicles under 2.5 tonnes,[3] and around 200 crossings are made each day.[4]
The George III Inn was originally two buildings: a ship chandler serving the boatbuilding industry, and a pub. It dates from approximately 1650. Gerard Manley Hopkins reputedly wrote the poem entitled "Penmaen Pool" in the visitor's book.[5][6]
Penmaenpool railway station was on the Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway. It opened as Penmaen Pool on 3 July 1865, and closed to goods on 4 May 1964 and passengers on 18 January 1965.[7] The route is now part of the Mawddach Trail and is popular with walkers.[8]
Incidents
editFifteen people, including four children, drowned on 22 July 1966 when the ferry Prince of Wales hit the toll bridge. The ferry had been taking 39 people on a pleasure trip from Barmouth to the hotel in the village.[9] Though 27 lives were saved, nobody was officially recognised for bravery. A memorial was held by the signal box on the 50th anniversary of the disaster in 2016, and a plaque was unveiled commemorating the victims.[10]
References
edit
Citations
- ^ "Penmaenpool Bridge (partly in Dolgellau Community)". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Thanks but no thanks - we won't be buying £350k bridge". North Wales Daily post. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Weight-limit sign on Google Street View" (Map). Google Maps. May 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Wales toll bridge for sale – in pictures". The Guardian. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ Carr, Lizzie (2018). Paddling Britain: 50 Best Places to Explore by SUP, Kayak & Canoe. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-784-77603-9.
- ^ Hamilton, Dorothy (2003). Best Tea Shop Walks in Mid-Wales. Stobart Davies. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-850-58796-5.
- ^ Butt 1995, p. 183.
- ^ "Mawddach Trail". Snowdownia National Park. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Service for 1966 drowning victims". BBC. 22 July 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
- ^ "Penmaenpool ferry disaster victims remembered 50 years on". BBC News. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
Sources
Butt, R. V. J. (October 1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: details every public and private passenger station, halt, platform and stopping place, past and present (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85260-508-7. OCLC 60251199. OL 11956311M.
