Barmouth derives its Welsh name
Abermaw (Mouth of the Mawddach), from the river
Afon Mawddach.It sits at the western end of the 8 mile Mawddach estuary. Wordsworth described this estuary as "sublime", and it has attracted many people including Darwin and Ruskin.
The head of the estuary is near Cymer Abbey, Dolgellau. The monks from the abbey operated in Barmouth and gave their name to many places, streets and houses. Mynach = monk brawd = brother as in Ynys Brawd, Hendre Mynach. The monks brought their metal working skills to the Dolgellau area and probably helped exploit the gold and copper in the immediate vicinity. Gold was reported found in Barmouth in 1898.
Dinas Oleu, meaning fortress of light, is a National Trust beauty spot - some 16.5 beautiful acres set up on the hillside immediately above Barmouth.
It has the distinction of being the first land or property (1895) ever donated to the trust and a seat and plaque was built in 1995 to mark the occasion.
Further into the hills, above Barmouth's Panorama Walk, lies a stone circle
Cerrig Arthur (Arthur's Stones) - see the
video clip for the stunningly dramatic scenery.
Today Barmouth is a thriving seaside resort despite the economic uncertainties of 2010 !
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