History of North Wales

Let’s go back to the very start, before the attractions, manor houses and castles, way back to the formation. North Wales is pretty old. So old in fact that rocks found near Llyn Padarn are from the pre Cambrian era – that’s over 540 million years ago!

Since its formation, North Wales has seen its fair share of ice caps, volcanoes, and earthquakes – it’s what makes Snowdonia so distinct and the region so mineral rich.

It’s those minerals which later put North Wales on the map. Mining began in North Wales during the Bronze Age, that’s around 4,000 years ago. The Great Orme Copper Mine was then the world’s largest mine where over 5 miles of tunnels have been unearthed over the last 30 years.

A big jump ahead to the time of Edward I, around 800 years ago. As a ploy to stamp his authority on Wales, the King built stone castles across North Wales known as the Iron Ring. Castles were constructed in Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech – all still standing today.

The years after to and the present day, tourism has been a huge factor in North Wales. The turn of the 19th century saw a new form of health tourism, this made towns like Llandudno extremely popular thanks for its beautiful bay. The town holds its Victorian feel today. The beaches and sea have always been a popular factor with visitors leading to the rise of many destinations in the region.