Penmaenpool

Penmaenpool Welsh: Pwll Penmaen or Llyn Penmaen.
Penmaenpool with Cader Idris in the background
Penmaenpool Location within Gwynedd
OS grid reference	SH693184
Community	Dolgellau
Principal area	Gwynedd
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	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Dwyfor Meirionnydd

Penmaenpool (Welsh: Llynpenmaen) is a hamlet on the south side of estuary of the River Mawddach in Wales, near Dolgellau.

Points of interest

Penmaenpool toll bridge

• Penmaenpool toll bridge - wooden toll bridge built in 1879 to replace the then ferry crossing. It is Cadw-registered and Grade II listed.

Penmaenpool toll bridge, old signal box and George III Inn (right).

• The George III Inn was originally two buildings: a ship chandler serving the boat building industry, and a pub. It dates from approx. 1650 and is Grade II listed.

Gerard Manley Hopkins reputedly wrote the poem entitled Penmaen Pool in the visitor's book.

• Penmaenpool railway station signal box was an RSPB observation centre.
• The Mawddach Trail passes through the hamlet.

Ferry boat tragedy

Fifteen people, including four children, were drowned on 22 July 1966 when the Prince of Wales ferry hit the toll bridge. The ferry had been taking 39 people on a pleasure trip from Barmouth to the hotel in the village. The then hotel proprietor, John Antony Hall, with his chef, David Jones assisted by the barman, Bob Jones saved many lives on that day. Without their hard work and effort, many more people would have drowned that day. None was recognised for their bravery.

A Memorial was held by the signal box 50 years later in 2016.