Pwllheli is the main market town of the Lleyn peninsula in the administrative county of Gwynedd, traditional county of Caernarfonshire, northwestern Wales. The town is a focus for Welsh-speakers, and was the place where Plaid Cymru was founded.
The town was given its charter as a borough by the Black Prince in 1355, and a street market is still held each Wednesday.
The town grew around the shipbuilding and fishing industries. Pwllheli is a seaside resort where attractions include a marina, the beach, a former Butlins holiday camp called Hafyn Y Mor (now Haven) and the fifteenth century Penarth Fawr house. Other local sights include the spa and healing well of Saint Cybi at Llangybi and an art gallery at Llanbedrog.
Pwllheli hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1925 and 1955, as well as an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1875.
Much of the town was developed by Solomon Andrews , a Cardiff business man during the 1890s. This work included the Promenade, roads and houses at West End. A tramway was built linking the town to Llanbedrog. The trams ran until 1927 when a section of track was seriously damaged by a storm.
Pwllheli is the terminus of the Cambrian Coast Railway running to Dyfi Junction near Machynlleth.
The town's name means saltwater basin.
Is often pronounced "Puthelly" by English tourists.
Last updated: 08-04-2005 17:53:47
