| Arthog | |
|---|---|
 Mawddach Crescent was the first and only phase of anEdwardian holiday resort built byCardiff entrepreneur,Solomon Andrews, in the early 20th century. | |
  Arthog Location withinGwynedd | |
| Population | 1,031 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SH642145 |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FAIRBOURNE |
| Postcode district | LL38 |
| Post town | ARTHOG |
| Postcode district | LL39 |
| Post town | DOLGELLAU |
| Postcode district | LL40 |
| Dialling code | 01341 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
52°42′40″N4°00′32″W / 52.711°N 4.009°W /52.711; -4.009  Map of the community | |
Arthog (Welsh pronunciationⓘ) is a village,post town andcommunity in theMeirionnydd area inGwynedd, northWales including the villages ofFairbourne andFriog. It is located on theA493, approximately 8 miles (13 km) west ofDolgellau, and had a population of 1,010 in 2001,[1] increasing slightly to 1,031 at the2011 census.[2]
The village was named after the Welsh rulerArthog apCeredig[3]
In 1894,Solomon Andrews, aCardiff entrepreneur, bought land overlooking theMawddach estuary. On the site he completed Mawddach Crescent in 1902. The row of terraced properties was the start of a purpose-built holiday resort he intended for the area. However the planned development went no further because the surrounding land proved unsuitable for urban planning. During theSecond World War, theRoyal Marines commandeered Mawddach Crescent. It became known as Iceland Camp. The marines also built huts on nearby Fegla Fawr; the foundation bases can still be seen between the trees above the estuary.
It is well known for its outdoor activity centres and the nearbyLlynnau Cregennen. TheArthog Outdoor Education Centre is owned byTelford and Wrekin Council and is primarily used in term-time by schools from the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Local Education Authorities.
There is a 200 metre cascade of publicly accessible waterfalls within the parish.[4]
According to the 2011 census, 28.3% of the community's residents were able to speak Welsh. Consequently, Arthog had the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers of any community in Gwynedd.[5] 70.6% of the community's residents were born outside Wales.[6]
The village was served byArthog railway station (on theBarmouth - Ruabon line) until the complete closure of the line in 1964. The line is now a footpath known as theMawddach Trail (Welsh:Llwybr Mawddach), and is popular with both walkers and cyclists.Morfa Mawddach railway station is on the western outskirts of the village. The station is situated on theCambrian Line with direct trains northbound toPwllheli viaBarmouth andPorthmadog and southbound toBirmingham International viaMachynlleth andShrewsbury.[7]
