St. George, or Llan Saint Sior; [12]
And about a quarter of a mile before you come to it, you pass on your right Pen-y-Parc Hill, on the top of which is a Roman encampment, afterwards occupied by the famous Owen Gwynedd, during his struggles against English encroachments; and it was here he pitched his tents after his “fine retreat before Henry the Second, whom he here kept at bay.” The curious may visit it from the village, inquiring for Park Meirch, where the old battles were fought. And close to this place is Dinorben, an ancient manor-house, from which is the title of Lord Dinorben, whose residence, Kinmel Park, is a little beyond, and close to the village. About six years since the mansion was destroyed by fire; but has now been rebuilt in a style of princely elegance, and has once more become the home of that hospitality for which the respected proprietor is famous. The park is finely wooded and well stocked with deer. The scenery from the house is rich, varied, and beautiful; the gardens and grounds are extensive, and tastefully laid out. His royal highness, the Duke of Sussex, for several years before his death, annually spent some weeks at Kinmel in the shooting season.
The church at St. George is a neat structure, and has recently been restored by Lord Dinorben, the patron. In the church-yard is a costly stone mausoleum, in the Gothic style, erected over the remains of Lady Dinorben, a lady beloved for her virtues, and eminent for her charities. The architect was Mr. Jones, of Chester: the design and workmanship are chaste and elegant.
Not far from Kinmel, towards St. Asaph, is Bodelwyddan, the modern elegant mansion of Sir John Hay Williams, Bart., one of the most lovely spots in Wales; and in the plain below is Pengwern, the hospitable seat of Lord Mostyn.
ABERYSTWYTH,
(Cardiganshire.)
| Aberdovey | 11 |
| Devil’s Bridge | 12 |
| Llanidloes | 30 |
| London, by Ross | 217 |
| Machynlleth | 18 |
[It may be necessary to apprise the reader, that though this work is professedly a description of North Wales only, it has been thought advisable to deviate from the letter of its title, so far as to include within its pages the above distinguished town, and that great and attractive curiosity, the Devil’s Bridge; both of which, situated in Cardiganshire, the North Wales tourist usually visits, the town being only 18 miles beyond Machynlleth, and the cataract the same distance from Llanidloes.]
Aberystwyth has long been esteemed a fashionable watering place; the gently sloping beach, the clearness of the water, and the salubriousness of the air, have all conspired to render it an inviting spot for sea-bathing; and within the last few years, the efforts of art have been sedulously employed in seconding the works of nature, by furnishing to its visitants excellent roads, superior accommodations, and suitable buildings for fashionable amusements. Pleasant walks have also been formed in the environs. The town, which owes its origin to the erection of the castle, is described by Leland as having been encompassed by walls, (the last remains of which were removed some years since,) and as being in his time a better market than Cardigan; and Camden, who ascribes the building of its walls to Gilbert de Clare, earl of Strongbow, states, that it was then the most populous town in the county. Since that time it has materially increased, both in extent and importance, and may be still regarded as the most flourishing place in this part of South Wales, its population in 1841 being returned at 4916. It is pleasantly situated at the lower extremity of the valley of Rheidiol, amid lofty hills, and on a bold eminence overlooking the bay of Cardigan, by which it is bounded on one side, while on the other it is environed by the Rheidiol, over which is a stone bridge of five arches, forming an entrance to it from the south.
The houses are in general well built, and of respectable appearance, several of them being large and handsome, especially such as are of modern erection, which are entirely of stone. The streets are disposed with considerable regularity, and well paved and macadamised. The inhabitants are supplied with water from the river Rheidiol, which is brought into the town on carriages in the form of small carts, drawn by one horse, each holding two barrels, and sold at a low rate. About the commencement of the last century, it began to rise into notice as a bathing-place, and from a series of progressive improvements, is now one of the most frequented places of fashionable resort on this part of the coast.
The beach affords a pleasant and interesting walk; and the shore, consisting of lofty and precipitous rocks of dark-coloured slate, is worn by the action of the waves into caverns of romantic and picturesque appearance. The beach is composed of fine pebbles, among which are found many valuable stones; the water in consequence is always peculiarly clear, and uncontaminated with any admixtures. In sandy situations, the contrary is frequently the case. The fine stones are picked up with great avidity by the numerous visitors residing here in the summer months, and afford ample employment to several lapidaries in the town. Hot sea-water, vapour, and medicated baths are provided with every requisite accommodation; several bathing machines are in attendance, and from the convenient sloping of the beach, a facility of bathing is afforded at almost any state of the tide, within a very short distance of the shore. For the reception of the increasing number of visitors, many additional lodging-houses have been built, of which the Marine Terrace, a handsome range of modern buildings suitable for private families, is situated on the margin of the bay, commanding a fine marine view. The Belle Vue is a spacious and commodious hotel; in front of which is a fine promenade. On the south-west of the Marine Terrace, is a gateway leading to a spacious castellated mansion, called the Castle-house, commanding an extensive view across the bay: it was originally built as a private mansion by the late Sir Uvedale Price, Bart. of Foxley hall, Herefordshire, and consists of three octagonal towers, connected by ranges of apartments, and having a light and elegant balcony on the side towards the sea. Beyond this, on one side is the Castle Hill, crowned with the venerable ruins of an ancient fortress, and forming another favourite promenade, affording from different points various extensive, romantic, and interesting views of the sea, the neighbouring hills, and the surrounding country.