Llanaber is a linear coastal village in north west

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

, about north of

Barmouth Barmouth ( cy, Abermaw (formal); ''Y Bermo'' (colloquial)) is a seaside town and community in the county of Gwynedd, northwestern Wales, lying on the estuary of the Afon Mawddach and Cardigan Bay. Located in the historic county of Merioneths ...

on the A496 road. The

Irish Sea The Irish Sea or , gv, Y Keayn Yernagh, sco, Erse Sie, gd, Muir Èireann , Ulster-Scots: ''Airish Sea'', cy, Môr Iwerddon . is an extensive body of water that separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is linked to the Ce ...

lies directly to the west and the Rhiniog mountains directly to the east.

Facilities

Its main attraction is the large beach which is used for a range of recreational activities including horse riding, cycling, rounders, cricket and football. A protective promenade gives access to Barmouth town centre. It is served by hourly bus services and Llanaber railway station on the Cambrian train line. The village contains a number of rural holiday cottages, small hotels. and holiday parks for caravan and camping during the summer.

Church

Within the village is a 13th-century

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

and Grade I listed building, St Mary and St Bodfan Church. The church was built in the early 13th century by Hywel ap Gruffudd ap Cynan who was a great grandson of

Owain Gwynedd Owain ap Gruffudd ( 23 or 28 November 1170) was King of Gwynedd, North Wales, from 1137 until his death in 1170, succeeding his father Gruffudd ap Cynan. He was called Owain the Great ( cy, Owain Fawr) and the first to be ...

. It has a flagstone floor and a 16th-century timber roof.Llanaber Church
from ''Britain Express'' retrieved 1 June 2013 It has undergone two major restorations. The first one was in 1860. The small bell tower was rebuilt as well as most of the west wall. A small vestry was constructed on the north side of the chancel and stained glass windows were installed.History of St Mary's
from ''Church in Wales Barmouth'' retrieved 1 June 2013 The second restoration was in 1969. The wood in roof was treated or replaced. The seating of the church was also renewed with spare pews given to St Mary's church from the nearby St John's Church, Barmouth. A Compton organ of two manuals and pedalboard was also given to the church by the

Bishop of Bangor The Bishop of Bangor is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor. The see is based in the city of Bangor where the bishop's seat (''cathedra'') is at Cathedral Church of Saint Deiniol. The ''Report of the Commissioners appointed ...

, James Colquhoun Campbell.

Gallery

File:View of Llanaber.JPG, View overlooking Llanaber from nearby hill File:Llanaber coastline.JPG, Llanaber coastline File:St Mary and St Bodfan Church, Llanaber from the beach.JPG, View of church the beach File:St Mary and St Bodfan Church, entrance.JPG, Church entrance

References

{{authority control Villages in Gwynedd Barmouth