Following on from the Celts, Romans and Welsh Chieftains who all played a part in the area’s history, the origins of Dolgellau itself began sometime in the 11th or early 12th Century when it was established as a ‘serf village’. It gained in importance and through the centuries played host to notable persons such as Owain Glyndwr, the last native ‘Prince of Wales’ in 1404 and later the Quaker leader George Fox in 1657.

Dolgellau as seen today is a beautiful stone built town located beneath the majestic mountain of Cader Idris, straddling the river Wnion which flows into the sea a few miles away. Although relatively small, Dolgellau was - and continues to be - an important market town in southern Snowdonia. It has over 200 listed buildings organised into small squares linked by narrow streets. The County Court and the local Magistrates Court still hold regular sessions there. Dolgellau's historic wealth is based on wool and on nearby gold and other metal ore mining and slate quarries. The Rivers Wnion and Mawddach were used to transport wool and other goods to the nearby port of Barmouth. There are remains of woollen mills on the edges of the town and until recently there was a tannery in the centre. Today there is a thriving farming community and regular livestock sales - well worth a visit. You will hear a great deal of ‘Cymraeg’ - Welsh - spoken in the area and the local MP is Plaid Cymru or Welsh Nationalist. If you would like to use some Welsh words the most useful are:

• Diolch - thank you

• Bore Da - good morning

• Nos Da - good evening

• ‘Brynadda’ means Adam’s Hill (bryn = hill and Adda = Adam)