Pwllheli

Pwllheli is the neasest town to Cae Garw self-catering holiday cottage, and situated on the southern coast of the Lleyn Peninsula.

With a busy open-air market on Wednesday and a 400 berth Marina, it can be extremely busy during the summer months.

Pwllheli - meaning "saltwater pool", was granted charter in 1355 by the Black Prince, and was once a thriving commercial port. Part of the historic of Caernarvonshire, it excelled in exporting granite and the building of ships during the 18th and 19th Century, but the silting of the port resuted in dwindling trade, and the town was first dredged in 1903.

Today Pwllheli has one of the best Marinas is Wales ,its ecxellent sailing waters hosting many World, European and National championship races. With over 400 berths, the Marina provides launching facilities, boat sales, chandlery, marine engineers, water sports, yachting, sailing and powerboat training .Boat trips, charters and fishing excursions are also available to local islands such as Bardsey.

The Pwllheli harbour is the venue of the ever increasing Wakestock festival in July, drawing in the best wakeboarders from over the world, with the main music festival being held a couple of miles outside the town.

Built by a Cardiff businessman Solomon Andrews in the 1890's, the Pwllheli Promenade follows the route of the old tramway wich ran from the town to Llanbedrog. The trams ran until 1927, until the tracks were badly damaged in a storm.

Pwllheli has two beaches. South Beach, which is mainly shingle, has been awarded the Blue Flag Award and stretches from Gimblet Rock, across the promenade, and around towards Llanbedrog- both beaches being ideal for bathing.

Glandon is the other beach and runs for 3 miles towards Abererch and Pen-y-chain headland. Running along it is the railway - Pwllheli being the terminus of the Cambrian Coast Railway operated by Arriva Trains which runs from Dovey Junction near Machynlleth travelling through Aberdovey, Fairbourne, Barmouth, Harlech, Porthmadog and Criccieth

The narrow streets of the town, with their plentiful shops, cafes and restaurants are full of character, with an excellent leisure centre, a golf club and a cinema.

(Click here for outside link to the Leisure Centre)

For more of Pwllheli's history, click on this BBC website.