The Eryri National Park Authority (previously Snowdonia NPA) has recommended the use of some Welsh place-names when referring to features in Snowdonia, Wales, now known by its Welsh language name, Eryri.
Most place-names in Snowdonia are of Welsh origin, with some of them having connections to Welsh folklore. [1] However, a few recent private name-changes from Welsh into English have inspired a campaign to use the Welsh names of places in Snowdonia which currently use English place names or anglicisations, to allow the promotion of the Welsh language and culture. Standardisation of Welsh place names has also been conducted, choosing a preferred Welsh form over multiple versions.
In November 2024, the authority stated that the change to Yr Wyddfa and Eryri over Snowdon and Snowdonia respectively, had been a "success".
The status of Welsh place names had been debated for decades, with them only becoming present on road signs in Wales in the 1960s following a long campaign to make the signs bilingual rather than in English only. Protesters argued that the use of such English-only signs was an indication that Wales was an "English and British territory" and that bilingual signs would distinguish Wales as a separate country with its own language and identity. [2]
In recent years, localised private name changes have been occurring elsewhere in Wales, replacing the previously long-standing Welsh name with an English alternative. This include the renaming of an Aberystwyth caravan park from the long-standing "Glan y Môr" to an English name "Aber Bay", [3] a Ceredigion farm changing its name from "Faerdre Fach" to "Happy Donkey Hill" to appeal to tourists, and the use of "Cable Bay" over the older Welsh name of "Porth Trecastell" in Anglesey, and the tourist name "Lake Australia" over the older Welsh "Llyn Bochlwyd" in Snowdonia. These were cited as examples of Welsh place-names being under threat by language campaigners, who are now leading a campaign for the protection, re-emphasis and "rediscover[y]" of Welsh place-names. [2] [4]
In 2022, a Gwynedd councillor put forward a motion asking the national park authority to stop using the English names Snowdon and Snowdonia. [5]
On 16 November 2023, the Snowdonia National Park Authority voted to use the Welsh names Eryri and Yr Wyddfa, over their pre-existing names used in English, Snowdonia and Snowdon, respectively. In the same meeting, the NPA adopted a paper on "Place Name Principles" which would be the guide the NPA is to use when addressing place-names within the national park. By the time of the meeting, the NPA had already prioritised the Welsh names in documents, while keeping the English names in parentheses as a temporary courtesy. [6] [5] The NPA stated that using the Welsh name would make visitors engage with the Welsh language and culture. [5]
The national park authority worked with Cardiff University School of Welsh and the Welsh Language Commissioner to recommend a standard list of the names of lakes in Snowdonia. The NPA then voted in a meeting on 15 November 2023 to accept the list's recommendations; it voted unanimously in favour. The NPA stated that the list was to "safeguard" the area's Welsh place-names and its heritage. [7] [8] The list most notably recommends that use of all the few English-language names for lakes in Snowdonia be discouraged in favour of their Welsh names. [9] Notable discouraged names are "Bala Lake" (or "Lake Bala"), to be replaced by "Llyn Tegid"; "Australia Lake" (or "Lake Australia"), to be replaced by "Llyn Bochlwyd"; and "Bearded Lake", to be replaced by "Llyn Barfog". [10] [11] The move was described as being part of a campaign by language activists for historical sites to be referred to by their Welsh names only, and was referred to as "Welsh names for Welsh places". [9]
The NPA is to look at the names of waterfalls and mountains in the national park. [10]
In November 2024, the authority stated that the name changes had been a "success" as many businesses and media had followed suit. The authority stated that a summer survey showed "strong support" from locals and visitors for the name change. While some concerns were raised over misconceptions by some that the Welsh names were new and mispronunciations, the authority stated that the change resulted in the park being more associated with a Welsh identity, and more different from other UK national parks. The authority is set to make a pronunciation guide, a report on the changes, and update its logo which still contains Snowdonia. [12]
The main issues with the existing toponymy to be addressed, as part of a standardisation of names, were: [21]
The list below is from the documents prepared for the 15 November 2023 meeting in which the national park authority voted on whether to support the list. However, the NPA has not publicly released a list, and it is not known whether its list matches that presented during the meeting. [22] Some alternative names were provided in an earlier NPA meeting. [23]
Various reasons were provided for the selection of names on the original list.
Recommended Welsh standard form(s) to be used in both Welsh and English | Other/former Welsh form(s) | Other English name(s) (if any) |
---|---|---|
Creiglyn Dyfi | Craiglyn Dyfi | |
Glaslyn | Llyn Glaslyn | |
Gloywlyn | Gloyw Lyn | |
Llyn Anafon | Llyn Anhafon | |
Llyn Aran | Llyn Arran | |
Llyn Arenig Fach | Llyn Arennig Fach | |
Llyn Arenig Fawr | Llyn Arenig-Fawr Llyn Arennig Fawr | |
Llyn Bach (in Rhyd-y-main) | ||
Llyn Bach (in Nant Peris) | Llyn Bâch | |
Llyn Bach / Llyn y Tri Greyenyn (in Tal-y-llyn) | Potential names relating to "Mach Loop" (Used by nearest car park) | |
Llyn Barfog | Bearded Lake | |
Llyn Bochlwyd | Australia Lake Lake Australia | |
Llyn Bodgynydd Mawr | Bod Mawr (colloquial) Llyn Bod (colloquial) Llyn Bodgynydd | |
Llyn Bodgynydd Bach | Bod Bach (colloquial) Cors Bodgynydd (colloquial) | |
Llyn Bodlyn | Bodlyn | |
Llyn Bodwenni | Llyn Bodweni | |
Llyn Bowydd | ||
Llyn Bryn Du | Llyn Bryn-du | |
Llyn Bwrw Eira | Llyn Bwrw-eira | |
Llyn Bwrw Eira Pellaf | Llyn Bwrw-eira-pellaf | |
Llyn Bychan | ||
Llyn Caerwych | ||
Llyn Cau | Llyn y Cau | |
Llyn Clogwyn Brith | Llyn Clogwyn-brîth Llyn Clogwyn brith Llyn Clogwyn-brith | |
Llyn Clyd | ||
Llyn Clyd Bach | ||
Llyn Coch (in Betws Garmon) | ||
Llyn Coch (in Blaenau Ffestiniog) | Llyn Côch | |
Llyn Coety | Llyn Coedty | Coedty Reservoir |
Llyn Conglog | ||
Llyn Conglog Bach | Llyn Conglog-bach Llyn Conglog-bâch | |
Llyn Conglog Mawr | Llyn Conglog-mawr | |
Llyn Conwy | ||
Llyn Corn Stwc | Llyn Corn y Stwc Llyn Corn-ystwc Llyn Corn-y-stwc Llyn Corn-stwc | |
Llyn Cors y Barcud | Llyn Cors-y-barcud Llyn Cors Y Barcud Llyn Corsybarcud | |
Llyn Corun | Llyn y Coryn | |
Llyn Cowlyd | ||
Llyn Crafanc | ||
Llyn Crafnant | ||
Llyn Craig y Tân | Llyn Craig-y-tân Llyn Craig-y-tan | |
Llyn Croesor | ||
Llyn Crych y Waun | Llyn Grych-y-waun Llyn Crych-y-waen Llyn Crych-y-waun | |
Llyn Cwm Bach | Llyn Cwm-bach | |
Llyn Cwm Bychan | Llyn Cwmbychan | |
Llyn Cwm Corsiog | Llyn Cwm-corsiog Llyn Cwm corsiog Llyn Cwmcorsiog | |
Llyn Cwm Dulyn (in Nebo) | Llyn Cwmdulyn | |
Llyn Cwm y Foel | Llyn Cwm-y-foel | |
Llyn Cwellyn | ||
Llyn Cwm Ffynnon | Llyn Cwmffynnon | |
Llyn Cwm Hosan | Llyn Cwmhosan Llyn Cwm-hosan | |
Llyn Cwm Mynach | Llyn Cwm-mynach Cwm-Mynach | |
Llyn Cwmorthin | ||
Llyn Cwm y Foel | Llyn Cwm-y-foel Llyn Cwm Foel | |
Llyn Cwm Ystradllyn | Llyn Cwmstradllyn | Cwm Ystradllyn Reservoir |
Llyn Cynwch | Llyn Cnwch | |
Llyn Cyri | ||
Llyn Cywion | ||
Llyn Dinas | ||
Llyn Du (in Pren-teg) | Llun Du | |
Llyn Du (in Trawsfynydd) | ||
Llyn Du (in Bronaber) | ||
Llyn Dubach y Bont (in Llan Ffestiniog) | Llyn Dubach Y Bont Llyn Dubach-y-Bont Llyn Dubâch Llyn Dubach | Dubach Y Bont Lake |
Llyn Dubach (in Maenofferen) | Llun Du-bâch Llun Dubach | |
Llyn Dulyn (in Llanenddwyn) | ||
Llyn Du’r Arddu | ||
Llyn Dwythwch | ||
Llyn Dyrnogydd | ||
Llyn Edno | ||
Llyn Eiddew Bach | Llyn Eiddew-bach Llyn Eiddew bach | |
Llyn Eiddew Mawr | Llyn Eiddew-mawr Llyn Eiddew mawr | |
Llyn Eigiau | ||
Llyn Elsi | ||
Llyn Foel Dinas | Llyn Foeldinas Llyn Foel-Dinas | |
Llyn Ffridd y Bwlch | Llyn Ffridd Y Bwlch Llyn Ffridd-y-bwlch Llyn Ffridd y-bwlch Llyn Ffridd(-ybwlch) | |
Llyn Ffynhonnau | Llyn y Ffynhoniau | |
Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas | Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas Llyn Ffynnon-y-Gwas | |
Llyn Gafr | ||
Llyn Garneddwen | ||
Llyn Geirionnydd | Llyn Geirionydd | |
Llyn Gelligain | Llyn Gelli-Gain Llyn Gelli-gain | Gelli-Gain Reservoir |
Llyn Glan Gors | Llyn Glangors Llyn Glan-gors | |
Llyn Glas (in Blaenau Ffestiniog) | ||
Llyn Glas (in Rhyd-ddu) | ||
Llyn Glas (in Llanberis) | Liyn Glas | |
Llyn Goddion Duon | Llyn Goddionduon Llyn Goddion-duon | |
Llyn Gwernan | ||
Llyn Gwynant | ||
Llyn Hafod-y-llyn | Llyn Hafod y Llyn | |
Llyn Hesgin | Llyn Hesgyn | |
Llyn Hiraethlyn | Hiraethlyn | |
Llyn Hywel | ||
Llyn Idwal | ||
Llyn Irddyn | ||
Llyn Iwerddon | ||
Llyn Jericho | ||
Llyn Llagi | ||
Llyn Llennyrch | Llyn Llenyrch | |
Llyn Llydaw | ||
Llyn Llymbren | Llyn Lliwbrân Llyn Lliwbran Llyn Llyfnbren | |
Llyn Llywelyn | ||
Llyn Mair | ||
Llyn Myngul | Llyn Mwyngil Llyn Tal-y-llyn | Tal-y-llyn Lake |
Llyn Nadroedd | ||
Llyn Nantlle Uchaf | ||
Llyn Newydd | ||
Llyn Ogwen | ||
Llyn Owen y Ddôl | Llyn Owen-y-ddôl Llyn Owen-y-ddol Llyn Owen-Y-Ddol | |
Llyn Padarn | ||
Llyn Pandy | ||
Llyn Pen Aran | Llyn Penaran | |
Llyn Pencraig | Llyn Pen Craig | |
Llyn Pen Ffridd Newydd | Llyn Penffriddnewydd | |
Llyn Pen Moelyn | Llyn Penmoelyn | |
Llyn Pen y Gwryd | Llyn Pen-y-gwryd Llyn Penygwryd | |
Llyn Perfeddau | ||
Llyn Peris | ||
Llyn Pryfed | ||
Llyn Pwll y Gele | Llyn Pwll-y-gele Llyn Pwllygele | Pwll-y-Gele |
Llyn Ruck | ||
Llyn Sarnau | ||
Llyn Serw | ||
Llyn Stwlan | ||
Llyn Tan y Graig | Llyn Tan-y-Graig Llyn Tan-y-graig | |
Llyn Tecwyn Isaf | ||
Llyn Tecwyn Uchaf | ||
Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Lake Bala Lake Tegid | |
Llyn Terfyn | ||
Llyn Teyrn | ||
Llyn Tomos Lewis | ||
Llyn Trawsfynydd | ||
Llyn Trefor | ||
Llyn Tryweryn | ||
Llyn Twr Glas | Llyn Twr-glas Llyn Twrglas Llyn Twr-glâs | |
Llyn Tynymynydd | Llyn Tyn-y-Mynydd | |
Llyn Wylfa | ||
Llyn y Bi | Llyn-y-Bi | |
Llyn y Biswail | ||
Llyn y Cefn | Llyn-y-cefn | |
Llyn y Cŵn | Llyn y Cwn | |
Llyn y Drum | ||
Llyn y Drum Boeth | Llyn y Drum-boeth | |
Llyn y Dywarchen (in Ffestiniog) | ||
Llyn y Dywarchen (in Betws Garmon) | ||
Llyn y Dywarchen (in Llanfihangel-y-traethau a Llandecwyn) | Llyn Dywarchen | |
Llyn y Fawnog | Llyn-y-Fawnog | |
Llyn y Fedw | Llyn-y-Fedw | |
Llyn y Fign | ||
Llyn y Foel | Llyn-y-Foel Llyn-y-foel | |
Llyn y Frân | ||
Llyn y Frithgraig | Llyn y Frith Graig | |
Llyn y Gadair (in Betws Garmon) | Llyn y Gader | |
Llyn y Gadair (in Brithdir ac Islaw’r-dref) | Llyn-y-Gadair | |
Llyn y Garn | ||
Llyn y Garnedd | ||
Llyn y Garnedd Uchaf | Llyn y Garnedd-uchaf | |
Llyn y Graig Wen | Llyn y Graig-wen Llyn y Graig-Wen | |
Llyn y Garreg Wen | Llyn Gareg-wen | |
Llyn y Gaseg Fraith | Llyn y Gaseg-fraith Llyn y Gaseg-Fraith Llyn Caseg-fraith | |
Llyn y Gors | ||
Llyn y Manod | Llyn Manod | |
Llyn y Morynion (in Ffestiniog) | Llyn Morwynion Morynyon | |
Llyn y Morynion (in Llanbedr) | Llyn Morwynion | |
Llyn y Parc | Llyn Parc | |
Llyn y Tomla | ||
Llyn y Wrach | Llyn-y-Wrach | |
Llyn y Wrysgan | ||
Llyn yr Adar | ||
Llyn yr Arddu | ||
Llyn yr Oerfel | ||
Llynnau Barlwyd | ||
Llynnau Cerrig y Myllt | Llynnau Cerrig-y-Myllt Llynnau Cerrig-y-myllt | |
Llynnau Cregennen | Cregennan Lakes | |
Llynnau Cwm Silyn | Llynnau Cwmsilyn | |
Llynnau Diffwys | ||
Llynnau Duweunydd | Llynau Diwaunydd | |
Llynnau Gamallt | Gamallt Lakes | |
Llynnau Mymbyr | ||
Llynnau’r Cŵn | Llynnau'r Cwn | |
Marchlyn Bach | ||
Marchlyn Mawr | ||
Llyn Melynllyn | Melynllyn | |
Merddwr Duweunydd | Merddwr Diwaunydd | |
Pwll Vivian |
The NPA has announced that it is now to look at the names of waterfalls and mountains in the national park. [10] A list of standardised names of waterfalls has not been released as of November 2023, but it is reportedly likely to encourage use of Welsh names only. [9]
Snowdonia, or Eryri, is a mountainous region and national park in North Wales. It contains all 15 mountains in Wales over 3000 feet high, including the country's highest, Snowdon, which is 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) tall. These peaks are all part of the Snowdon, Glyderau, and Carneddau ranges in the north of the region. The shorter Moelwynion and Moel Hebog ranges lie immediately to the south.
Gwynedd is a county in the north-west of Wales. It borders Anglesey across the Menai Strait to the north, Conwy, Denbighshire, and Powys to the east, Ceredigion over the Dyfi estuary to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. The city of Bangor is the largest settlement, and the administrative centre is Caernarfon. The preserved county of Gwynedd, which is used for ceremonial purposes, includes the Isle of Anglesey.
Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, is a mountain in Snowdonia, a region of North Wales. It has an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, which makes it both the highest mountain in Wales and the highest in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands. Snowdon is designated a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna, and is located within Snowdonia National Park.
Bala Lake, or Llyn Tegid, is a large freshwater glacial lake in Gwynedd, Wales. The River Dee, which has its source on the slopes of Dduallt in the mountains of Snowdonia, feeds the 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long by 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide lake. It was the largest natural body of water in Wales even before its level was raised by Thomas Telford to provide water for the Ellesmere Canal.
Llanberis is a village, community and electoral ward in Gwynedd, northwest Wales, on the southern bank of the lake Llyn Padarn and at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It is a centre for outdoor activities in Snowdonia, including walking, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking and pony trekking, as well as water sports such as scuba diving. The community includes Nant Peris.
The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours. It is frequently used to raise money for charitable organisations. Walkers climb each peak in turn, and are driven from the foot of one mountain to the next. The three peaks are:
Glaslyn is a lake in the Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, north-west Wales.
Glyder Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, the highest peak in the Glyderau range at just over 1,000 metres. It is the fifth-highest mountain in Wales and has several walking and scrambling routes leading to its summit. According to Sir Ifor Williams, the word "Glyder" derives from the Welsh word "Gludair", meaning a heap of stones.
Carnedd Llewelyn, also spelled Carnedd Llywelyn, is a mountain massif in the Carneddau range in Snowdonia, north-west Wales. It is the highest point of the Carneddau at 1,064m (3,491ft) and the second highest peak by relative height in Wales, 49th in the British Isles and lies on the border between Gwynedd and Conwy.
Cadair Idris or Cader Idris is a mountain in the Meirionnydd area of Gwynedd, Wales. It lies at the southern end of the Snowdonia National Park near the town of Dolgellau. The peak, which is one of the most popular in Wales for walkers and hikers, is composed largely of Ordovician igneous rocks, with classic glacial erosion features such as cwms, moraines, striated rocks, and roches moutonnées.
Cadair Berwyn, Cader Berwyn or Craig Uchaf is a mountain summit in north-east Wales with a height of 832 metres (2,730 ft) above sea level. It is the highest point in the Berwyn range, the highest in North East Wales and the highest significant summit in Wales outside the National Parks. Cadair Berwyn and Foel Cedig to the west are the two Marilyns that form the Berwyn range. The undulating plateau of the range also includes a large number of other summits above 2,000 feet (610 m), including satellite summits of Cadair Berwyn and many which are classed as Nuttalls.
The national parks of Wales are managed areas of outstanding landscape in Wales, United Kingdom where some forms of development are restricted to preserve the landscape and natural environment. Together, they cover 20% of the land surface of Wales and have a resident population of over 80,000 people. Each National Park Authority is a free-standing body within the local government framework.
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and whose physical geography is characterised by a varied coastline and a largely upland interior. It is bordered by England to its east, the Irish Sea to its north and west, and the Bristol Channel to its south. It has a total area of 2,064,100 hectares and is about 170 mi (274 km) from north to south and at least 60 mi (97 km) wide. It comprises 8.35 percent of the land of the United Kingdom. It has a number of offshore islands, by far the largest of which is Anglesey. The mainland coastline, including Anglesey, is about 1,680 mi (2,704 km) in length. As of 2014, Wales had a population of about 3,092,000; Cardiff is the capital and largest city and is situated in the urbanised area of South East Wales.
Arenig Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, close to Llyn Celyn reservoir, alongside the A4212 between Trawsfynydd and Bala.
The Summit railway station is the southern, upper terminus of the Snowdon Mountain Railway, located within yards of the summit of Snowdon. In 2009 a new station building was opened, which was named Hafod Eryri.
The Snowdonia Marathon, known as Marathon Eryri from 2023, is a marathon in Snowdonia (Eryri), North Wales. It was established in 1982 as an alternative to city and town races. The route makes a circumnavigation of the Snowdon massif, starting and finishing at Llanberis. It is held annually in October.
Llanegryn is a village and a community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It was formerly part of the historic county of Merionethshire. It is located within Snowdonia National Park south of the Snowdonia (Eryri) mountain range. Travelling by road, it is around 4 miles (6 km) north-east of Tywyn and 17 miles (27 km) south-west of Dolgellau. The nearest railway stations are at Tonfanau and Llwyngwril, both less than 3 miles (5 km) away.
Llyn Bochlwyd is a lake in Snowdonia, Wales, in Conwy County Borough. It lies in Cwm Bochlwyd, near Llyn Ogwen in the Glyderau mountain range.
The geology of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales is dominated by sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods with intrusions of Ordovician and Silurian age. There are Silurian and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks on the park's margins. The succession was intensely faulted and folded during the Caledonian Orogeny. The region was uplifted as the North Atlantic Ocean opened during the Cenozoic. The current mountainous landscape arises from repeated glaciations during the Quaternary period.