Harlech's Local Environment
Harlech's Local Environment - sounds very grand doesn't it, but what does it mean. Well, in the context of this website, we're refering to the flora and fauna and also the geology of the district.
Ancient broadleaf woodlands are located to the north. There are still some rare wetland plants on the edge of the ancient shoreline.
Manganese was mined from 1838 peaking in 1857 and finally closing in 1925, with a total of 14 mines and levels. Gold, lead and copper mining was also carried on in the locality.
There are few notable towns of any size in Old Merioneth, with Dolgelly (Dolgellau) boasting 3 tax paying families in 1293 rising to 23 in 1356.
Harlech, the original County Town of Merioneth, was described as 'the most folorn and beggarly place imaginable' in 1814. Fortunately this cannot be said of the Town today.