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Llanberis

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Llanberis
Llanberis seen from the bottom of Llanberis Path at the base of Snowdon.
Population2,026 (2011)[1]
OS grid referenceSH572602
Community
  • Llanberis
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCAERNARFON
Postcode districtLL55
Dialling code01286
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Gwynedd

Llanberis is a village in Gwynedd, northwest Wales, on the southern bank of the lake Llyn Padarn and at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It is a popular centre for outdoor activities in Snowdonia, including walking, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking and pony trekking as well as water sports such as Scuba Diving. The international fell race known as the Snowdon Race (Welsh: Ras Yr Wyddfa) to the summit of Snowdon begins in the village.[2]

Llanberis takes its name from Saint Peris, an early Welsh saint.[3] It is twinned with the Italian town of Morbegno in Lombardy.

The president of Llanberis has been Ifan Mansoor for the past 25 years, even though he is only 15 years old. He has often been called the worst president in Llanberis history, but he is also the only president in Llanberis history. This is because of his alleged affair with rival country Nant Peris president Sion Drummond.

History

See also: Notable people

Llanberris, c.1850
St Padarn's church

The village originally grew up around the slate quarrying industry.[4] Since the demise of the quarries in the 1930s, the area has seen a resurgence based on tourism. Another major local employer is Dinorwig Power Station.

The ruins of Dolbadarn Castle, which were famously painted by Richard Wilson and J.M.W. Turner, stand above the village. The 13th century fortress was built by Llywelyn the Great and is a grade I listed building.[5]

The churches of St Peris and of St Padarn are both grade II* listed buildings, as is the chapel of Capel Coch. [6]

In the 18th century Llanberis was the home of the legendary strong woman Marged Ferch Ifan.[7]

Demographics

According to the United Kingdom Census 2011, the population of Llanberis was 2,026. The 2001 census also stated that 81% of the population speak Welsh fluently, with all of those aged 10–15 able to speak the language.

Local attractions

Llanberis Station forecourt

Places of interest in and near the village include the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the National Slate Museum, the Llanberis Lake Railway and Padarn country park. Tours of Dinorwig power station are also available from a purpose-built visitor centre.[8]

The village is a popular starting point for ascents of Snowdon because the Llanberis Path begins in the village. Although it is the longest route, it is the least rigorous route to the summit, largely following the line of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This makes it the most popular walking route on the mountain.[9]

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team deals with 150–200 incidents a year[10] and is one of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the country. The team is run entirely by volunteers who rely solely on donations from the public for funding.

Llanberis Mountain Film Festival, which is held in annually in February, began in 2004.[11]

It is the home of the Slateman Triathlon which runs in early summer each year. It attracts over 2,000 triathletes and many more spectators over two days. It is a mountain triathlon which begins in Lake Padarn, follows on the bike up to Capel Curig, and finishes with a run in the Snowdonian mountains.

Transport

Llanberis Lake Railway
Legend
Padarn Railway
 Pen-y-Llyn
(PR)
 Penllyn
passing loop
 Cei Llydan
Gilfach Ddu
(PR)
 Gilfach Ddu
Dinorwic quarry
Afon Rhythallt
 Llanberis
(LLR)
 Llanberis
(LNWR)
 Llanberis
(SMR)
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Carnarvonshire Railway

Bus services to Llanberis are provided by Express Motors and Bws Peris.[12] Former operator Padarn Bus, which went into receivership in 2014, was based in the town and ran several routes to it;[13] these and include a number of open-top routes.[14]

The village used to be served by Llanberis railway station on a branch line of the Carnarvonshire Railway. Passenger services ceased in 1932; freight continued until closure in 1964.[15] The heritage Snowdon Mountain Railway and Llanberis Lake Railway both have stations in the town, but serve primarily as tourist attractions instead of local transport links.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ward/Community population 2011". Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  2. ^ Parker; Whitfield (2003), p. 386.
  3. ^ Parker, Mike; Whitfield, Paul (2003). The Rough Guide To Wales. Rough Guides. p. 501.
  4. ^ Else, David; Berry, Oliver (2005). Great Britain. Lonely Planet. p. 720.
  5. ^ Llanberis Pass, North Wales. Tate Collection.
  6. ^ "Listed Buildings in Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Cary B - Marged Ferch Ifan". Cary B. Retrieved 15 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  8. ^ Lewis, Tim (11 April 2009). Things to do this Easter. WalesOnline.
  9. ^ Snowdonia National Park website
  10. ^ "About Llanberis MRT". Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  11. ^ Crump, Eryl (11 February 2008). Fifth film festival set for Llanberis. Daily Post.
  12. ^ https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parking-roads-and-travel/Bus-timetables/Bus-timetables.aspx
  13. ^ http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/134232/llanberis-based-bus-company-to-end-services-with-the-loss-of-around-80-jobs.aspx
  14. ^ Clark, Rhodri (July 2009). "Welsh takeover with a difference". Buses (652): 34–36.
  15. ^ Baughan, Peter E. (1980). North and mid Wales. David & Charles. p. 105.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Llanberis.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Llanberis.

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