Bangor
 Castles |  Cathedrals |
Bangor is the cathedral and university town of North Wales. Its history goes back to Celtic times. St Deinol founded a monastic community on the site in AD525, and the town's name comes from from the wattle fence or 'bangor' surrounding St Deinol's settlement. Banger grew from little more than a village when the slate boom of the 19th century enabled it develop its trade and commerce. Its importance increased further in 1884 when the University College of North Wales was founded there.
Bangor Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and is dedicated to St Deinol. He was the first Bishop of North Wales, who was consecrated about 546. It is Britain's oldest bishopric. The present building was completed in 1844 and is a restoration by Gilbert Scott who also designed the Albert Memorial in London. The cathedral contains a life-size carving of Christ dating from 1518, and the supposed tomb of the legendary 15th century Welsh nationalist, Owain Glyndwr. Near the Cathedral is Bangor Town Hall, dating from Tudor times and originally the bishop's residence. Standing between the town hall and the Cathedral is the Bishop's Garden which contains a unique 'Biblical Garden'. All the trees, shrubs and flowers mentioned in the Bible, and able to survive the local climate, are planted on each side of a footpath called the 'Bible Walk'.
Bangor's attractive pier was built in 1896. It extends into the Menai Strait and from its platform there is a marvellous view of Snowdonia. Nearby is the Menai Suspension Bridge. Built by Thomas Telford between 1819 and 1826, it became the first permanent crossing point of the Menai Strait. It is 100ft above sea level to enable 'tall ships' to pass safely beneath it.
A mile to the east is Penrhyn Castle. It is an elaborate Victorian mock-Gothic fortress, built for the Pennant family, who made their fortune from slate. It has splendid interiors of various styles and materials. Included among these is a huge slate bedstead weighing some 4 tons. The Castle also houses an large collection of over 1000 dolls and in its grounds can be found a fine mix of exotic plants, a natural-history display and an exhibition railway objects, including steam locomotives.
For further information see - http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/bangor-45.aspx