Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Pont-y-Pair
Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 21 June 1950
- Locality
- Betws-y-Coed
- Community
- Betws-y-Coed
- Unitary authority
- Conwy
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.09388, -3.80599
- Cadw reference
- 3230
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
Carrying the B5106 and fording the Afon Llugwy in the centre of the town.
History
Early bridge, ascribed to Howell Saer (fl .1468) by Edward Lhwyd writing in 1699. The present fabric is probably C17, widened and partly rebuilt in the late C18 or early C19; the bridge was described by Sir Richard Colt-Hoare in 1797 as the `romantic bridge over the River Llugwy,' and was described in its present form by Richard Fenton in 1810.
Exterior
5-span rubble bridge of roughly 45m length, originally of roughly 2.5m width, widened to the NW (upstream) side by a further 2.5m. The arches are segmental and of varying widths and heights, some springing directly from the rock. The central, widest one spans the river proper; roughly-dressed voussoirs slightly inset beneath arch-rings formed of narrower stones. Low rubble parapets, splayed at the approaches and with slatestone slab capping.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as a dramatically-sited 5-span vernacular bridge with early origins, in a prominent town-centre location.
Scheduled Ancient Monument: CN032
Nearby in the register
- Pont y PairBridgeunder 1 mi
- Bryn-y-BontDomesticunder 1 mi
- St. Mary's ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Lychgate to W of St. Michael's ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.