The Colwyn Bay Timeline is on ongoing project and we’ll be adding to it in the future. Let us know if you notice any important omissions and we’ll add them.
The entire timeline is very long and may load slowly on some connections. If that is the case you may find it helpful to filter the posts by the categories below – it’s also a quick way to select a particular period of time. Just select the time period you want to view and press the Filter Timeline button.
Timeline Express
Roman occupation
43 AD
Romans invade Britain in South
61 AD Romans invade North Wales
Romans invade North Wales with 12,000 men to attack Anglesey – the stronghold of the druids and centre of resistance to the Romans Read more
61 AD Roman legion ambushed
61 AD Roman legion ambushed at Nant Sepyr (the pass beneath Bryn Euryn). Sempronius (their second in command) killed
Roman built road along coast
260-355
Roman road along the North Wales coast built
St. Trillo establishes his “llan”
6th century
St. Trillo establishes his “llan” Read More
Reign of Llywelyn the Great
1194-1240
Reign of Llywelyn the Great. Seneschal Ednyfed Fychan of Llys Euryn, his Chief Counsellor Read more
Cistercian monks build Rhos Weir
1200 c.
Cistercian monks from Conwy Abbey build Rhos Weir (estimated) Read more
King John invades North Wales
1210
King John invades North Wales
Conquest of Wales by King Edward I
1284
Conquest of Wales by King Edward I. Conwy Castle built
Richard II captured
1399
Richard II captured by Henry Percy near the foot of Penmaenhead Read more
Llys Euryn partially burnt
1409
Llys Euryn partially burnt by Owain Glyndwr
Rhos Weir
1575
Rhos Weir granted to Captain Morgan ap John ap David Read more
First Pwllycrochan built
1680
First Pwllycrochan built (estimated) Read more
Afon Ganol
1687
Lawsuit against Pugh of Penrhyn for building a bridge over the Afon Ganol and so obstructing shipping
Main North Wales road
1720
Main North Wales road constructed: Abergele – Dolwen – Groes. Ogilby’s road-book shows the main North Wales road coming through Bettws – Abergele, Dolwen and Croesffordd.
First Ship Inn
1736
First Ship Inn built at Llandrillo Church gates by Robert Davies.
First reference to a stagecoach
1764
First reference to a stagecoach travelling along the Old Highway
Calvinistic Methodist body
1771
Thomas Hughes, shoemaker, founds a small Calvinistic Methodist body at Mochdre
Mail coaches began running
1784
Mail coaches began running from Chester to Holyhead. London to Holyhead by coach takes 48 hours.
Turnpike Road
1785
Turnpike Road made through the district
The Mail Coach first running through
1785
The Mail Coach first running through
Penmaen Rhos
1798
“Beyond Llanddulas, the road winds round a large lime stone rock called Penmaen Rhos”.
St. Asaph to Conway 18 miles
1798
St. Asaph to Conway 18 miles, via St. George and Dolwen to Bryn Eisteddfod
Population of Colwyn -150
1801
Population of Colwyn (estimate): Houses – 35 (Farms: 12, Cottages: 23), Population – 150.
Crash of dance floor at Four Crosses
1808
Crash of dance floor at Four Crosses
Main roads along coast
1811
Thomas Telford is consulted on main roads and highways along coast
The Bible Society
1814
Llandrillo and Abergele Branch of the Bible Society formed
Colwyn Bridge constructed
1815
Colwyn Bridge constructed
Ebenezer Chapel erected
1815
Ebenezer Chapel erected Read more
Eirias Bridge constructed
1815 /16
Eirias Bridge constructed and the road to Mochdre made
Improvements to the Holyhead Road
1819
Thomas Telford completes his improvements to the Holyhead Road
National School, Rhos-on-Sea, built
1819
National School Built on Tan y Bryn Road
Population of Colwyn – 200
1821
Population of Colwyn: Houses – 42, Population – 200.
Sir David Erskine marries Jane Silence Williams
1821
Sir David Erskine marries Jane Silence Williams, heiress of Pwllycrochan Read more
Chester and Bangor Stage Coach
1827
Chester and Bangor Stage Coach first going through. Mail coach leaves Holyhead 5 p.m. spending the night at Bangor, and arriving at the Feathers Inn, Chester at 4 p.m. (Travelling at 8 miles an hour). “Hark-Forward” coach running from
Glan y Mor road made
1828
Glan y Mor (Beach) road made
Turnpike Road diverted over Penmaenhead
1830
Turnpike Road diverted over Penmaenhead
Afon Ganol marsh drained
1830
About this date the Afon Ganol marsh was drained
Population of Colwyn – 262
1831
Population of Colwyn: Houses – 50, Population – 262.
Bethesda (old) Chapel built
1832
Bethesda (old) Chapel built Read more
London to Holyhead coach
1836
London to Holyhead by coach now took only 27 hours. By 1837 the coaches “Queen of Trumps” and “Lord Dinorben” run through Colwyn.
Richard Butler Clough lays the foundation stone of St. Catherine’s Church
1837
Richard Butler Clough of Min y don lays the foundation stone of St. Catherine’s Church Read more
Conway Poor Law Union formed
1837
Conway Poor Law Union (including Llandrillo) formed
Whitehall Dod succeeds to Llannerch estate
1841
Whitehall Dod succeeds to Llannerch estate
Parish of Colwyn created
1844
Parish of Colwyn created, mostly out of Llandrillo parish Read more
Tithe Enquiry Map prepared
1846
Tithe Enquiry Map prepared
Methodist Sunday School
1847
Methodist Sunday School in Rhos-on-Sea at a small thatched cottage called “Aberhod Bach”
Chester-Bangor Railway opens
1848
Chester to Bangor railway opened for passengers. Construction had begun in 1845 Read more
National School, Old Colwyn, built
1848
National School built
Ship fire disaster, Abergele Bay
1848
178 lives lost in ship fire disaster, Abergele Bay
First appearance of Colwyn Station
1849
First appearance of Colwyn Station in the October number of Bradshaw Read more
A record catch of herrings at Rhos Weir
1850
A record catch of 35,000 herrings at Rhos Weir Read more
Rhos-Bryn Euryn Railway recorded as working
1856
Rhos-Bryn Euryn Railway recorded as working
First sale of building land
1858
First sale of building land
Population of Colwyn – 450
1860
Population of Colwyn (estimate): Houses – 88 (Farms: 12, Cottages: 54, Larger Houses: 12, Nant Eirias Cottages: 10). Population – 450.
Hebron (old) Chapel erected
1861
Hebron (old) Chapel erected Read more
Calfaria (old) Chapel erected
1862
Calfaria (old) Chapel erected Read more
Building of Rhos Abbey Hotel terrace
1864
Building of Rhos Abbey Hotel terrace adjacent to Rhos Fynach planned by Mr. George Fenton Read more
Pwllycrochan opened as a hotel
1866
Pwllycrochan opened as a hotel Read more
Mr. Parry Evans’ title to Rhos Weir established
1866
Legality of Mr. Parry Evans’ title to Rhos Weir established at Conway Read more
British School built
1867
British School built
Irish Mail railway accident at Abergele
1868
33 people killed in Irish Mail railway accident at Abergele
Rev. W. Venables Williams appointed to the living of Llandrillo
1869
Rev. W. Venables Williams appointed to the living of Llandrillo Read more
Station Hotel (later Central Hotel) built
1870
Station Hotel (later Central Hotel) built Read more
Pioneer villas Erskine House and Penrhos Lodge built
1870
Pioneer villas Erskine House and Penrhos Lodge (later Odeon Cinema and Rhos Lan) built
Presbyterian Services
1871
First Presbyterian services held in a carpenter’s workshop in Ivy Street Read more
Agitators throw the Toll Gates into the sea
1871
Band of agitators throw the Toll Gates and posts into the sea near Colwyn Bay Hotel (in process of building)
Sir Thomas Pender
1872
Great reception of Sir Thomas Pender at Colwyn Bay
Mission room (chapel) built (precursor of St. Paul’s Church)
1872
Mission room (chapel) built (precursor of St. Paul’s Church) Read more
Colwyn Bay Hotel completed
1872
Colwyn Bay Hotel completed Read more
Building of the Promenade
Presbyterian Chapel
1873
Presbyterian chapel opened on Conwy Road on land donated by John Pender of Pwllycrochan Estate Read more
Original Ship Inn demolished
1873 / 74
Original Ship Inn demolished and rebuilt across the road from its original position near the Church, by Whitehall Dod
Ship Inn
1874
Original Ship Inn demolished and rebuilt across the road in its present location
Colwyn Bay and Pwllycrochan Estate Company
1875
Establishment of the Colwyn Bay and Pwllycrochan Estate Company Read more
Shiloh Chapel Greenfield Road built
1876
Shiloh Chapel, Greenfield Road, built by the Welsh Wesleyan Methodists Read more
School Board formed
1876
Llandrillo and Eirias (UD) School Board formed
Congregationalists’ iron Church
1878
Congregationalists’ iron church built (Union Church site) Read more
Engedi Chapel
1879
Engedi chapel opened on Woodland Road West by the Welsh Presbyterians Read more
Colwyn Cemetery – first burial
1879
Colwyn Cemetery – first burial
Penrhos College for Girls established
1880
Penrhos College for Girls established (private Methodist school for girls) Read more
Population of Colwyn – 788
1880
Population of Colwyn (estimate): Houses – 157, Population – 788
First English Methodist Service
1880
First English Methodist service in Colwyn Bay held in Shiloh Welsh Chapel, Greenfield Road Read more
Colwyn Bay English Baptist Church
1884
Colwyn Bay English Baptist Church congregation formed Read more
Old Colwyn railway station opened
1884
Old Colwyn railway station opened in 1884. Read more.
Rydal School for boys
1885
Rydal School for boys founded by Methodist educationalist T. G. Osborn Read more
Work begins on Theatr Colwyn
1885
Work began on the theatre (Theatr Colwyn) by the newly formed Public Hall Company Read more
Salem Chapel opens
1885
Salem Chapel opened on Abergele Road Read more
Union Church opens
1885
Congregational Church (Union Church) opened Read more
Congregational Church opened
1885
Congregational Church (Union Church) opened Read more
Bethesda Chapel built
1886
Bethesda Church, Old Colwyn built Read More
Building of St. Paul’s Church begins
1887
1887-1888 building of St. Paul’s Church begins – the nave, aisles and transepts Read more
Colwyn and Colwyn Bay Local Board formed
1887
April 13th Colwyn and Colwyn Bay Local Board formed – a Local Board of 12 members – constituted, by Order of Local Government Board, No. 21442, dated April 13th.
Station Road is laid out
1887
Station Road laid out. Designed by Booth, Chadwick and Porter, principal architects to the Pwllycrochan Estate Company. Row of nine shops in red brick built by Edward Foulkes, father of the architect, Sidney Colwyn Foulkes. Read more
St John’s Methodist Church opens
1888
St. John’s Methodist Church opens. Read more
Tabernacl Chapel built
1888
Tabernacl Chapel built for Welsh and English Baptist congregations. Read more
County Council formed
1889
County Council formed
Population 4,754
1891
Population 4,754
Joint Water Supply Board formed
1891
Conway and Colwyn Bay Joint Water Supply Board formed
English Presbyterian Church opens
1891
English Presbyterian Church, Hawarden Road, opens. Read more
Municipal Building completed
1892
Municipal Building, Station Road, completed. Read more
Subway and approaches to the beach completed
1892
August 17th Subway and approaches to the beach completed and formally opened by Rev. W. Venables-Williams (Vicar)
Parish of Colwyn Bay
1893
Colwyn Bay became a separate parish, previously part of the parish Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Read more
English Baptist Church moves
1893
English Baptist Church moved to a corrugated building on Abergele Road, where Stermat now stands. Read more
Groes Bridge
1894
Groes Bridge rebuilt and widened
Urban District of Colwyn Bay and Colwyn
1895
January Under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1894, the Local Government District became the Urban District of Colwyn Bay and Colwyn
Rhos Pier opened in April
1895
April Rhos Pier opened
Calfaria Chapel built
1896
Calfaria Chapel built Read more
Bethlehem Methodist Chapel built
1897
Bethlehem Methodist Chapel, Lawson Road built as a branch of Engedi.Read more
Promenade on seafront opened
1897
June 22nd Promenade on seafront – Colwyn Bay to Marine Path – formally opened. Read more
Building of the Quaker Meeting House
1899
Building of the Quaker Meeting House in Erskine Road. Read more
Public appeal for funds to build a church
1899
Public appeal for funds to build a church for the 2,000 strong Welsh speaking community in the parish
Victoria Jubilee Cottage Hospital built
1899
Victoria Jubilee Cottage Hospital built. Read more
St. Joseph’s Church opened
1900
St. Joseph’s Church opened. Read more
Monsieur Jules Riviere died
1900
December 26th Monsieur Jules Riviere died and was buried in Llandrillo-yn-Rhos churchyard. Read more
Population of Colwyn 1532
1900
Population of Colwyn (estimate): Houses – 306, Population – 1532
Population 8,689
1901
Population 8,689
Victoria Pier and Pavilion opened
1900
Victoria Pier and Pavilion opened on 1st June 1900 Read More
Urban District Council’s offices in the Municipal Building
1901
Urban District Council’s offices in the Municipal Building, Station Road. Read more
Electricity Works started for General Supply
1901
January 1st Electricity Works started for General Supply
Woodhill Baptist Church built
1902
Woodhill Baptist Church built by Welsh Calvanistic Methodists as an outreach of Engedi Chapel. Read more
Promenade and Sewage Works
1902
The Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Urban District Act authorised the construction of a Promenade and new Sewage Works. Read more
Gas undertaking acquired
1902
January 1st Gas undertaking acquired
Horeb Chapel opened
1902
November 2nd, Horeb Chapel, Rhiw Road, opened. Read more
Methodist chapel Hermon built
1903
Methodist chapel Hermon built (now site of Capel y Rhos). Read more
Eglwys Dewi Sant completed
1903
Eglwys Dewi Sant (St. David’s Church) completed. Read more
Higher Grade School formally opened
1903
January 12th Higher Grade School formally opened
St. John’s Church, Old Colwyn
1903
St. John’s Church, Old Colwyn consecrated on August 13th. Read more
Town Hall opened
1904
Town Hall opened (corner of Coed Pella Road and Conwy Road), fire station next door. Read more
Hebron Chapel built
1904
Hebron Chapel built Read more
Bron y Nant Cemetery opened
1904
Bron y Nant Cemetery completed and opened
Police Station and Magistrates Court built
1905
1905-1907 Police Station and Magistrates Court on Rhiw Road built. Read more
Convent opened
1905
Convent near St. Joseph’s RC Church opened. Read more
Nant-y-Glyn Methodist Church built
1905
Nant-y-Glyn Methodist Church built. Read more
English Baptist Chapel opened
1905
English Baptist Chapel opened. Read more
Free Library opened
1905
April 25th. Coronation Free Library opened. Read more
Isolation Sanatorium opened
1905
April 25th Isolation Sanatorium opened
Promenade ARC lighting inaugurated
1905
August 18th. Promenade ARC lighting inaugurated. Rhos section June 21st
Pwllycrochan Woods purchased
1905
October 31st Pwllycrochan Woods purchased
Fairy Glen, Old Colwyn
1906
August 1st. Fairy Glen, Old Colwyn, opened to the public. Read more
Upper Colwyn Bay Water Supply Works inaugurated
1906
October 9th Upper Colwyn Bay Water Supply Works inaugurated
Trams running from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay
1907
Trams running from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay. Read more
Population of Colwyn – c.12,000
1907
Population c. 12,000 and estimated 15,000 visitors
Formal opening of Sewerage Works
1907
June 14th Formal opening of new Sewerage Works
Light Railway opened for public traffic
1907
October 19th. Light Railway opened for public traffic. Read more
St. Andrew’s Church
1908
Foundation stone for St. Andrew’s Church laid. Read more
English Methodist Church, Old Colwyn built
1909
English Methodist Church, Old Colwyn, built. Read more
First aircraft landed in Wales
1910
August First aircraft landed in Wales, on the sea shore at Rhos-on-Sea. Robert Loraine in a Farman biplane
Public Hall converted into “picture house”
1909
The Public Hall (Theatr Colwyn) converted into Colwyn Bay’s first “picture house”. Read more
County Court at Colwyn Bay
1910
August 2nd Order of Privy Council for holding of County Court at Colwyn Bay
New water main
1909
March 31st
Water turned on to the District from new trunk main laid between Dolgarrog and Sarnmynach
Royal National Eisteddfod held
1910
September 13th-17th Royal National Eisteddfod held
Population of Colwyn – 2455.
1910
Population of Colwyn (estimate): Houses – 490, Population – 2455.
Glan-y-Don Hall built
1911
Glan-y-Don Hall built. Read more
Electric Light Cable extended
1911
March Electric Light Cable extended to Old Colwyn
Drill Hall (Princes Drive) opened
1911
July 15th Drill Hall (Princes Drive) opened
Visit of Library Association
1912
September 6th. Visit of Library Association. Read more
English Baptist Church on Hawarden Road opened
1913
English Baptist Church on Hawarden Road opened. Intention was to build a church and a church hall, only the hall was built at that time. Read more
Princess Picture Theatre built
1914
Princess Picture Theatre built. Read more
Cayley Promenade
1914
January 28th Cayley Promenade embankment acquired
H. M. Troops in Colwyn Bay
1914
December 30th H. M. Troops quartered in Colwyn Bay
Light Railway extended
1915
March 26th. Light Railway extended to the Queen’s Hotel, Old Colwyn. Read more
Visit of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George
1915
March 2nd Visit of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George
Colwyn Public Gardens acquired
1915
June. Colwyn Public Gardens acquired by gift from Lieut.-Col. Williams Wynne. Read more
First Methodist services in Rhos-on-Sea
1916
First Methodist services in Rhos-on-Sea held in the Playhouse, then a theatre and cinema (now Co-op Store)
First Lady Member elected on the Council
1919
April 7th First Lady Member (Miss E M. Hovey) elected on the Council
David Lloyd George visits Tabernacl Chapel
1920
Prime Minister, David Lloyd George visits Tabernacl Chapel. Read more
County Secondary School
1920
September Higher Grade School converted to County Secondary School
Population of Colwyn – 3197
1920
Population of Colwyn: Houses – 620, Population – 3197
Erection of Workmen’s Dwellings at Rhos
1920
November 30th Erection of Workmen’s Dwellings at Rhos, public ceremony
Presentation of Tank
1920
January 12th. Presentation of First World War Tank Read more
Llandudno-Colwyn Bay road
1921
May Llandudno-Colwyn Bay through road opened for traffic
Acquisition of Eirias Park
1921
April 12th. Acquisition of Eirias Park. Read more
Y.M.C.A. buildings built
1922
Y.M.C.A. buildings built
Rhos-on-Sea Methodist Church
1922
August 14th Foundation stone of Rhos-on-Sea Methodist Church laid
War Memorial unveiled outside the town hall
1922
November 11th. War Memorial unveiled outside the town hall. Memorial tablets and memorial windows unveiled at St. Paul’s Church. Read more
Amalgamation of the Parish of Llysfaen
1923
April 1st Amalgamation of the Parish of Llysfaen with the Urban District by virtue of the Counties of Caernarvon and Denbigh (Llysfaen) Order 1922; and increase of members of the council from 24 to 28
Electricity Supply
1923
November 2nd Electricity Supply – consent to alteration of system to A.C. (Alternating Current)
Royal Visit to North Wales
1923
November 2nd Royal Visit to North Wales. Visit of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales to Colwyn Bay
Inauguration of New Electricity Supply
1923
November 30th Inauguration of New Electricity Supply, and ceremonial opening of new Distribution Station in Ivy Street by Lord Colwyn
The North Wales and South Cheshire Joint Electricity Authority established
1923
October 6th The North Wales and South Cheshire Joint Electricity Authority established
Royal Bank of Scotland building reconstructed
1925
C.1925. Royal Bank of Scotland building reconstructed to a design by architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes for Williams Deacon’s Bank. Read more
Wynn Gardens declared open
1925
Wynn Gardens declared open. Read more
Opening of Min-y-Don Park
1928
July 18th. Opening of Min-y-Don Park and recreation grounds. Read more
Population of Colwyn – 5000
1930
Population of Colwyn: Houses – 1050, Population – 5000 (estimate)
The Rialto closed
1933
The Rialto (Theatr Colwyn) closed. Read more
Colwyn House
1933
1933-1937 Colwyn House, Station Road, built for W. S. Wood department store. Read more
St. Joseph’s Primary School opened
1933
St. Joseph’s Primary School opened on land near the Church. Read more
Charter of Incorporation granted
1934
Charter of Incorporation granted. Read more
Pat Collins’ Amusement Park opened
1935
Easter. Pat Collins’ Amusement Park opened. Read more
Population of Colwyn – 5500
1936
Population of Colwyn: Houses – 1436, Population – 5500(estimate)
Viaduct over Penmaenhead opened
1936
Viaduct over Penmaenhead opened
Town’s first Air Raid Warning
1939
Town’s first Air Raid Warning
Literary Eisteddfod held
1941
Literary Eisteddfod held. Read more
Spitfire crashed
1943
Spitfire “Borough of Colwyn Bay” crashed before having seen active service. Given its name to mark the townspeople’s war effort through National Savings investment
Sale of Queen’s Lodge
1946
July 5th. Sale by public auction of the estate of the Rt. Hon. Lord Colwyn (deceased) – Queen’s Lodge, Pen-yr-Orsedd Farm, Bodlondeb Farm. Read more
Colwyn Bay host to National Eisteddfod
1947
Colwyn Bay host to National Eisteddfod. Read more
Synagogue opened
1948
37 Princes Drive opened as a Synagogue. Read more
Old Colwyn railway station closed
1952
December 1st. Old Colwyn railway station closed. Read more
Cosy Cinema closed
1955
Cosy Cinema (above Matthews Hardware) closed. Read more
Last tram from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay
1956
March 24th. Last tram travelled from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay. Read more
Tram company sold carriage licence
1961
Tram company sold carriage licence to Crosville Motor Services Ltd. Read more
Drinking alcohol on Sundays legalised
1961
It became legal to serve alcoholic drinks on Sundays
Welsh Mountain Zoo opened
1963
Opening of the Welsh Mountain Zoo
First Traffic Wardens
1967
Town’s first Traffic Wardens
Death of “Professor” Bert Codman
1969
Death of “Professor” Bert Codman, the last local Punch & Judy Man
Daniel Allen’s store closed
1971
Daniel Allen’s store, Station Road closed. Read more
Borough of Colwyn
1972
Borough of Colwyn created in 1974 by the Local Government Act, 1972 – incorporating the former Borough of Colwyn Bay, the Urban District Council of Abergele and the Rural District Councils of Aled and Hiraethog.
Opening of Police Headquarters
1973
Opening of the North Wales Police Headquarters
Formation of Clwyd and Gwynedd
1974
Formation of Clwyd and Gwynedd
Amusement Park closed
1980
December. Amusement Park (formerly Pat Collins’) closed. Read more
Leisure Centre opened
1981
Leisure Centre opened by H.R.H. Princess Margaret. Read more
Visit of Her Majesty the Queen
1984
Visit of Her Majesty the Queen
Llanddulas landfill site
1984
Llanddulas landfill site opened by the Secretary of State for Wales
Opening of the A55 Expressway
1985
Opening of the Colwyn Bay section of the A55 Expressway
The Prince and Princess of Wales visit
1985
Visit to Colwyn of their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales
Shopping Centre opened
1987
Bay View Shopping Centre opened. Colwyn Bay Town Centre – new shopping precinct and pedestrian way opened. Read more
Princes Drive Baptist Church
1988
English Baptist Church sanctuary opened to accommodate expanding membership. Church name changed to Princes Drive Baptist Church. Read more
Clock presented to the town
1989
Andrew Fraser Memorial Clock presented to the town. Read more
Miniature railway
1988
Final season of the miniature railway along the promenade. Read more
Government Buildings demolished
2016
Christmas. The demolition of the government buildings on the corner of Conwy Road and Coed Pella Road is nearing completion. Read more
