Llanberis
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2015) |
| Llanberis | |
|---|---|
 Llanberis seen from the bottom of Llanberis Path at the base of Snowdon. | |
  Llanberis Location within Gwynedd | |
| Population | 2,026 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SH572602 |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CAERNARFON |
| Postcode district | LL55 |
| Dialling code | 01286 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
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.
History
See also: Notable people
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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.[4]
The churches St Padarn are both grade II* listed buildings, as is the chapel of Capel Coch. [5]
In the 18th century Llanberis was the home of the legendary strong woman Marged Ferch Ifan.[6]
Demographics
According to the United Kingdom Census 2011, the population of Llanberis was 2,026, with 74.7% of those aged 3 years and over were able to speak Welsh.[7]
Local attractions
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[citation needed]. 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 Llyn Padarn, follows on the bike up to Capel Curig, and finishes with a run in the Snowdonian mountains.[12]
Transport
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Bus services to Llanberis are provided by Express Motors and Bws Peris.[13] Former operator Padarn Bus, which went into receivership in 2014, was based in the town and ran several routes to it;[14] these and include a number of open-top routes.[15]
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.[16] 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
- ^ "Ward/Community population 2011". Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Parker; Whitfield (2003), p. 386.
- ^ Parker, Mike; Whitfield, Paul (2003). The Rough Guide To Wales. Rough Guides. p. 501.
- ^ Llanberis Pass, North Wales. Tate Collection.
- ^ "Listed Buildings in Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ "Cary B - Marged Ferch Ifan". Cary B. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Sillitoe, Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil (14 April 2008). "Detect browser settings". www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ Lewis, Tim (11 April 2009). Things to do this Easter. WalesOnline.
- ^ Snowdonia National Park website
- ^ "About Llanberis MRT". Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- ^ Crump, Eryl (11 February 2008). Fifth film festival set for Llanberis. Daily Post.
- ^ Snowdonia Slateman Triathlon set to attract huge crowds to Gwynedd
- ^ https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parking-roads-and-travel/Bus-timetables/Bus-timetables.aspx
- ^ http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/134232/llanberis-based-bus-company-to-end-services-with-the-loss-of-around-80-jobs.aspx
- ^ Clark, Rhodri (July 2009). "Welsh takeover with a difference". Buses (652): 34–36.
- ^ Baughan, Peter E. (1980). North and mid Wales. David & Charles. p. 105.
External links
- Llanberis' Website
- Llanberis Mountain Rescue - Online home of the country's busiest mountain rescue team
- Llanberis Slate Mine Museum Website
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Llanberis and surrounding area
- LLAMFF website
