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Tours > Wales > Dolgellau
Dolgellau (Doll Gethlee)
A pleasant little town in summer, Dolgellau's granite buildings give it a most somber air in winter. The town, lying under mighty Cader Idris, has a long history. Three Roman roads met here, and it was also the site of Owain Glyndwr's last Parliament in 1404. A centre of the Welsh flannel industry in the 18th century, the town also produced gold from nearby mines, including the gold in Queen Elizabeth II's wedding ring.
The picturesque stone bridge Bont Fawr (Bont Vowr: Big Bridge) dates from the 17th century. St Mary's Church, dating from 1716 contains unusual wooden pillars, dragged over the mountains from Dinas Mawddwy (Deenass Mouthwee) by oxen. The local cricket team, founded in 1841, claims to be the oldest in Wales. Two miles northeast of town is Nannau (Nannah) the home of the illustrious Vaughan family, direct descendants of Cadwgan, son of Bleddyn, Prince of Powys, since 1100. The estate, surrounded by 50 miles of high stone walls, contains tenant houses with unusually ornate chimneys and slate verandas.
The bulk of Cader Idris, whose main summit is Penygadair (Pen Uh Gad Ire), just under 3,000 feet, dominates the town of Dolgellau. It is the first height encountered as you enter Snowdonia National Park from the direction of Machynlleth. This is fine hiking country, though there are some dangerous precipices on the high ridges. Many routes can take you to the top of "the Chair of Idris."
Local legend tells that if you spend the night on the mountain top, you will wake up either as a blindman, a madman or a poet (or possibly all three?). It is named after Idris, a descendant of the Celtic chief Cunedda, killed fighting the Saxons in 630, who used to sit in his seat (Cader) gazing at the stars. On clear winter days, views form the summit can encompass Snaefell in the Isle of Man, and even mountains in Southern Ireland. The mountain is a national nature reserve of particular interest to the geologist and botanist.
Next Stop: Swansea and the Southwest
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