Colwyn Bay
| Colwyn Bay | |
| Denbighshire, Caernarfonshire | |
|---|---|
 The Little Orme at sunset seen from Colwyn Bay | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST309881 |
| Location: | 53°17’24"N, 3°42’0"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 28,992 (2001) |
| Post town: | Colywn Bay |
| Postcode: | LL28, 29 |
| Dialling code: | 01492 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Conwy |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Clwyd West |
Colwyn Bay is a town and seaside resort on the north coast of Denbighshire overlooking the Irish Sea. Some parts of the town additionally fall within a detached part of Caernarfonshire. Eight neighbouring communities are incorporated within its postal district. Established as its own separate parish in 1844 with just a small grouping of homes and farms where Old Colwyn stands today, Colwyn Bay has expanded to become the second-largest community and business centre in the north of Wales as well as the 16th largest in the whole of Wales with a population of over 30,000.
History
The western side of Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, includes a number of historic sites associated with St Trillo and Ednyfed Fychan, the 13th century general and councillor to Llywelyn the Great.
Climate
As with the rest of the British Isles, Colwyn experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, and often high winds. The local climate is well known for the prevalence of 'Foehn' winds - where winds from the South pass over the nearby mountains and warm and dry on their descent, leading to far higher temperatures than otherwise might be expected; the area holds the Welsh high temperature record for January, March, August, October, November and December.
Demography
The municipal borough of Colwyn Bay with a population of c.25,000 was reorganised on 1 April 1974 into five separate parishes of which the one bearing the name Colwyn Bay encompassing just the central part of the overall town and in the 2001 Census contained just 9,742 people, with the others as follows: Mochdre (1,862), Rhos-on-Sea (7,110), Llansanffraid Glan Conwy (2,290), Old Colwyn (7,626) and Llysfaen (2,652). This gives a total figure for the town of 31,382, generally referred to as the population of Colwyn Bay, making it the 16th largest urban area in Wales and the second largest settlement in North Wales.
Economy
The town is dominated by the tourist trade. A business and commercial centre with rail links and close access to the activities that are available in the surrounding countryside. Colwyn Bay is a Fairtrade Town as certified by the Fairtrade Foundation as part of the Fairtrade Towns scheme.
Community facilities
The town has parks and gardens and many places of natural beauty such as Eirias Park. Colwyn Bay has received a gold award 8 times in the Wales in Bloom competition. In 2009 and 2010 the town has been invited to enter Britain in Bloom and has been awarded silver gilt in both years. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is nearby.
Landmarks
The Victoria Pier has been closed to the public since 2009 when a dispute between Conwy Council and the pier's owner lead to him being declared bankrupt. Llety'r Dryw is a Grade II listed house in Abergele Road, built for the uncle of Anthony Eden and now used as the headquarters of the North Wales Police Authority. Llys Euryn is a mediæval manor house on Bryn Euryn, now in ruins.
Transport
The A55 road passes through the town, running parallel to the North Wales Coast Line. The town is served by Colwyn Bay railway station located in the town centre.
Education
Colwyn Bay has three secondary schools - one private and two state. Eirias High School is in Eirias Park and Ysgol Bryn Elian is in Old Colwyn. Ysgol Bryn Elian mainly serves Old Colwyn and Eirias High School mainly serves Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Penrhyn Bay. Rydal Penrhos is a private school, which is on multiple sites in the town. The town's primary schools are Princess Road School, Ysgol Pendorlan, Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, Ysgol Ty Gwyn Jones and Saint Joseph's R.C. Primary and the Welsh-language Ysgol Bod Alaw.
Religious sites
Anglican churches in and around the town include the parish church St Paul's Church, St David's Welsh Church, St John the Baptist's Church and Christ Church, Bryn-y-Maen to the south of the town.
Sport
The local football team is Colwyn Bay F.C. and the rugby team is Colwyn Bay RFC.