Tal-y-Cafn

Tal-y-Cafn (Welsh meaning : "place opposite the ferry-boat") [ [http://www.kimkat.org/amryw/1_vortaroy/geiriadur_cymraeg_saesneg_BAEDD_c_1018e.htm Welsh Dictionary (Welsh-English) - Y Geiriadur Gweol ] ] is a small settlement in Conwy county borough, north Wales.

It lies in the Conwy valley close to the Roman settlement of Canovium at Caerhun, and was the site of a Roman river-crossing point of the River Conwy. A mediæval ferry, which operated from as early as 1301, was replaced by the current bridge in 1897. Originally a toll bridge, it is now toll free, and is the only road bridge over the river between Conwy and Llanrwst. The bridge also carries water in a pipe from Llyn Dulyn and Llyn Melynllyn in the Carneddau mountains to the coastal town of Llandudno.

Tal-y-Cafn is primarily known as the site of the Tal-y-Cafn Hotel, a former coaching inn located on the A470 road, and the adjacent Tal-y-Cafn railway station. The shop and post office are now closed.

Nearby lies Bodnant Garden, a National Trust property set in 80 acres.

A modern housing estate development on the western bank of the river was the location of "The Ferry", a former public house. This pub, popular at a time when alcohol could be served on a Sunday (which was not legal across the river), suffered when the Sunday Closing (Wales) Act 1881 was repealed.

External links

* [http://www.tal-y-cafn.com/index.asp The Tal-y-Cafn Hotel, including a history]
* [http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk/ Conwy Valley Railway]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3489486 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Tal-y-Cafn and surrounding area]

References