Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

4 articles on this Page

ROUND AND ABOUT TOWYN.

News
Cite
Share

ROUND AND ABOUT TOWYN. Towyn abounds in pleasant excursions, and the visitor, if the weather is favourable, need never be at a loss where to go and what to see. Every week- day during the summer months Mr. Carter's well- appointed coaches or Chars -a-banc, run from the railway station to Talyllyn by way of the Dysynni Valley, returning by a different route, or to Pennal and back, a delightful drive of about 20 miles, ten .of which on the return journey are along the sea coast. If we take this trip we pass through what is known as "THE HAPPY VALLEY," and an opportunity is afforded visitors of ascend- Ing Cae Ceinach hill, permission for which has been kindly granted by the Marchioness of Lon- donderry. A most charming view of the estu- ary of the Dovey and the surrounding country can be obtained from this point. RAIL AND COACH EXCURSIONS are arranged daily by the Cambrian Railways Com- pany to Tanybwlch and Maentwrog, the Raven and Cataract Waterfalls; to Dolgelley, the Torrent Walk, the Precipice Walk, Ty'nygroes, and the three Waterfalls to Cwmbychan Lake to which a combined and short walking tour over the moun- tains may be added. This does not by any means exhaust the programme as reference to the Com- pany's advertisements will show, but in this article we have to deal with these walkp and drives rather nearer home first premising that there is excellent boating and fishing on the Dysynni river which here empties itself into the sea. The first excursion to which we will refer is that DOLGOCH FALLS. TO TAL-Y-LLYN AND BACK. We start soon after ten o'clock in the morning from the railway station in a comfortable char-a-banc and are soon bowling along the main street, past she Church, the Whitehall and Corbefct Arms Hotels and are soon bowling along the main street, past she Church, the Whitehall and Corbett Arms Hotels I up Maengwyn street into the Bryncrug road. In a few minutes the Cemetery on the right is left oehind, and we soon reach YNYS-Y-MAENGWYN park where we just catch a glimpse of the historical and picturesque mansion of Mr. John Corbett, to whom Towyn owes so much. The ancient seat was burnt during the civil wars of 1643 to prevent its affording shelter to the Parliamentary party. Con- tinuing our journey three fields, called Dolyffrwya, are pointed out, on our left, within the area of which Prince Llewellyn is said to have fought a great battle. Further on we reach BRYNCRUG near which village there once stood the Manor House from which the same Prince wrote his letters to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and where 20 years later Edward I. dated a charter. A mound or tumulus on the hill-side less than half a mile south of the bridge is called Tomen Ddreiniog. At Bryncrug is pointed out the cottage where at one time lived Mary Jones, whose name is mentioned as the person who probably was the means of starting the British and Foreign Bible Society. Continuing our journey for about a mile and a half a halt is made at CEFNCOCH, a roadside inn, where the opportunity, first of taking refreshments and afterwards of visiting Llanegryn Church is offered. The building stands on an eminence and is an ancient structure in the early- English style of architecture. There is an elaborately carved oak screen and rood loft said to have been brought from Cwmmer Abbey, near Dolgelley. A curious Norman font will also attract attention. Proceeding on our way we arrive in succession at the villages of LLANEGRYN AND PENIARTH, and then following the line of the valley with the Cader Idris Range bounding the wild prospect on our left we wind round past one of the most remarkable features of this district and a prominent object from many points of view-Craig-y-Deryn, or, as it is more popularly called THE BIRD ROCK. This rock, the dwelling of the hawk and the cormorant, is about 700 feet in height and the view from its summit is only equalled by Cader Idris without its attendant fatigue. It derives its name from the number of birds which frequent it in the breeding season and thus find shelter for them- selves and their progeny. Other frequenters of the Craig are sheep, of the small mountain breed, abounding in these solitudes. On the northern side of the summit are traces of fortifica- tions and on the opposite side of the vale are remains of Roman entrenchments. Re- suming our course to Talyllyn, we soon arrive at the top of the hill leading down to ABERGYNOLWYN and this we descend on foot. Arrived at the village we see a very pretty church and beyond it are the late quarries of Bryn- eglwys. This is the terminus of the Toy Railway from Towyn. Front here the journey to the lake is soon accomplished, the distance being about 3 miles. The view of the lake, as it comes into sight, is very charm- ing, and whilst the coach puts up for an hour or two ample time is given for a walk along its banks or for a mountain ascent. History says that the lake was originally caused by a tremendous landslip which completely barred one end of the valley. How many years ago it happened nobody ap- pears to know, but the little churchwhich has existed for a great number of years was built upon the debris. This barrier of earth and rock completely stopped the course of the Dy- synni and so its waters accumu- lated in the meadows until the present lake was formed. In the course of time the water found an outlet for itself and the lake gradually became reduced in depth until it arrived at its present condition. TAL-Y-LLYN CHURCH is a smaH and comparatively ancient edifice and over the porch is a Welsh inscription of which the following is a translation A great and holy house of refuge A royal quire In the face of God and the congregation Except with pure thoughts, Man, come not hither." Several hours can very profitably be spent at Taly- llyn if the visitor is fond of mountain climbs and romantic scenery. Cader Idris may be ascended from here or failing that a walk up to Llynycae is recommended. There is good trout fishing to be had in the lake and boating may be indulged in. The return journey is made by way of DOLGOCH VALLEY, and an opportunity is given to visit the beautiful waterfalls of that name. St. Cadfan is said to have often resorted to this spot as a recluse. The falls are easily reached from the main road the path leading thereto passing under the Talyllyn railway viaduct. Proceeding homewards we pass Dolau Dolangwyn, then Rhydyronen and the last feature of special interest is a fine old Elizabethan mansion which stands in its own grounds just off the public highway. Towyn is reached about a quarter to six o'clock.

MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY…

[No title]

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.