St. John’s Church House, to the side of St. John’s Church, is another fine example of the work of the eminent local architect, Sidney Colwyn Foulkes. This community centre, built in 1936 and now a … [Read more...]
Old Colwyn
Whilst Old Colwyn, with its strong local community, began its rapid growth in the late 19th century its origins go back much further. The "vill" or township of "Coloyne" is mentioned in a survey … [Read more...]
Church Walks, Old Colwyn
In 1858 what is now Church Walks was the first piece of land in Old Colwyn offered for sale by the Coed Coch Estate. It was purchased by David Davies, who built two houses there. Originally the road … [Read more...]
Rose Hill Cottages, Old Colwyn
This area is of interest for its narrow streets and paths serving terraced houses on Church Walks, Mount Pleasant and Rose Hill. Whilst these two storey terraced houses are similar in scale, there … [Read more...]
Former National School, Old Colwyn
Opening in 1849, the first National School was a one room building, erected along with a school house, on donated land next to St. Catherine’s Church. An initial grant of £100 was made by the National … [Read more...]
Sun Inn and Red Lion Inn, Abergele Road, Old Colwyn
Whilst the Sun Inn was built around 1830, the first pub on the site of the Red Lion Inn was built in 1801. Originally called the Union Arms after the 1800 Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland it … [Read more...]
Llawr Pentre, Old Colwyn
Originally called Glan yr Afon, Llawr Pentre was the birthplace of Old Colwyn and was the site of the ford. Located here were a flour mill, farm, slaughter house, wheelwrights, saddlery, and a … [Read more...]
Ship Inn
This large three storey building was built around 1830 and was initially called “Ship Bach”. Princess Victoria stopped here in 1832 when returning from the Marquis of Anglesey’s home of Plas Newydd in … [Read more...]
Fairy Glen (Old Colwyn Heritage Walk)
The eastern path along Fairy Glen follows the Afon Colwyn which, with the Fairy Glen (then known as Y Nant), was mentioned by the traveller Edward Llwyd in 1699. He described the area as having seven … [Read more...]
Pen y Bryn, Old Colwyn
When you enter Pen y Bryn, immediately on the right is the old Bethesda Chapel built in 1832 and enlarged in 1860. It was subsequently converted into a house and a warehouse, which was used to store … [Read more...]
Site of “The Picture House”, Abergele Road, Old Colwyn
Old Colwyn’s first cinema, “The Picture House” was on the site of the building which became M & K’s body shop. Adults sat on benches and children on a mat at the front. It was destroyed by fire … [Read more...]
Former Midland Bank, Abergele Road, Old Colwyn
This fine single storey stone building was built in 1912 for the London City and Midland Bank Ltd to a design by Liverpool architects, Woodfall and Eccles. The building is of sandstone, with a … [Read more...]
399-425 Abergele Road & 1 Princess Road, Old Colwyn
This late 19th century Grade II Listed terrace of commercial properties has residential accommodation above. Whilst they were constructed in stages the unified design, stepping up the slope, is … [Read more...]
Bethesda Welsh Methodist Church, Old Colwyn
This prominent and largely unaltered church has walls of local carboniferous limestone and a slate roof. Unusually the door and window openings, quoins, parapet and the like, are not sandstone as in … [Read more...]
Hebron Presbyterian Chapel, Abergele Road, Old Colwyn
The first Presbyterian Chapel, Hebron, opened in 1861 on what is now the path from Rosehill to Llanelian Road, with the houses built alongside it named Hebron Terrace. The chapel has since been … [Read more...]