An introduction to Dolgellau by Greg Stevenson

Few towns enjoy such magnificent surrounds as the handsome town of Dolgellau. Nestled in the shadow of Cadair Idris the town does a good job of living up to the natural beauty around it.

The architecture tends to be bold and strong and relies more on proportions than ornament for its effect.

It has ‘masculine’ buildings from the late Georgian period built from huge blocks of the local stone (Dolerite), and dark lanes running between them.

What I love most about it is that the street plan is such a mess! Dolgellau began as a collection of serf dwellings and evolved organically over many centuries without a masterplan; despite the fact that the stone gives a real sense of uniformity. 

Although Dolgellau has long considered itself the county town and prime market of Meirionnydd, its success and development has been largely due to the woollen industry, of which it was the regional centre.

The industry, which was largely hand-worked, reached its peak around 1800 and gradually declined in the following century, unable to compete with the output of highly mechanised mills.

Much of the town was rebuilt in the relatively prosperous years of the wool trade, and the centre, at least, has changed little in the last hundred years.

Over two hundred buildings have been listed as being of historic or architectural interest, which is one of the highest concentrations in Wales considering how small the town centre.

The Square is at the heart of today's town; the star around which everything revolves. Meeting place, market place, trading place, and the venue for fairs, community events and festivals – this is the heart of Dolgellau.