Colwyn Bay - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

COLWYN BAY, a watering-place of Denbighshire, N. Wales, on the Irish Sea, 402 m. from Chester by the London & NorthWestern railway. Pop. of urban district of Colwyn Bay and Colwyn (1901) 8689. Colwyn Bay has become a favourite bathing-place, being near to, and cheaper than, the fashionable Llandudno, and being a centre for picturesque excursions. Near it is Llaneilian village, famous for its "cursing well" (St Eilian's, perhaps Aelianus'). The stream Colwyn joins the Gwynnant. The name Colwyn is that of lords of Ardudwy; a Lord Colwyn of Ardudwy, in the 10th century, is believed to have repaired Harlech castle, and is considered the founder of one of the fif teen tribes of North Wales. Nant Colwyn is on the road from Carnarvon to Beddgelert, beyond Llyn y gader (gadair), "chair pool," and what tourists have fancifully called Pitt's head, a roadside rock resembling, or thought to resemble, the great statesman's profile. Near this is Llyn y dywarchen (sod pool), with a floating island.