:Penmaenpool
{{Short description|Hamlet in Gwynedd, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Wales
| official_name = Penmaenpool
| welsh_name = Llynpenmaen
| coordinates = {{coord|52.747|-3.936|display=inline,title}}
| static_image_name = Penmaenpool-CadairIdris-02.jpg
| static_image_caption = Penmaenpool with Cader Idris in the background
| population =
| population_ref =
| community_wales = Dolgellau
| unitary_wales = Gwynedd
| lieutenancy_wales =
| constituency_welsh_assembly = Dwyfor Meirionnydd
| constituency_westminster = Dwyfor Meirionnydd
| post_town = DOLGELLAU
| postcode_district = LL40
| postcode_area = LL
| dial_code = 01341
| os_grid_reference = SH693184
| cardiff_distance =
}}
Penmaenpool ({{langx|cy|Llynpenmaen}}) is a hamlet on the south side of the estuary of the River Mawddach in Wales, near Dolgellau. A Grade II listed toll bridge provides access across the estuary for light vehicles.
Points of interest
File:Penmaenpool-bridge-01s.jpg
Penmaenpool toll bridge is a wooden toll bridge built in 1879 to replace a ferry crossing. It links the A493 running along the south bank of the Mawddach to the A496 running along the north. It is Cadw-registered and was Grade II listed in 1990.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300016170-penmaenpool-bridge-partly-in-dolgellau-community-llanelltyd#.XmAfg6j7TIU|title=Penmaenpool Bridge (partly in Dolgellau Community)|website=British Listed Buildings|access-date=4 March 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdonia-national-park-authority-rules-2656236|title=Thanks but no thanks - we won't be buying £350k bridge|work=North Wales Daily post|date=18 April 2013|access-date=4 March 2020}} The bridge can only be used by vehicles under 2.5 tonnes,{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@52.748295,-3.9347333,3a,66.5y,93.48h,90.11t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipMnEZHCz7M0M7vgGVa9gxzYTjXBx5khn0WOWm4m!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMnEZHCz7M0M7vgGVa9gxzYTjXBx5khn0WOWm4m%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya224.4269-ro0-fo100!7i5376!8i2688?hl=en |title=Weight-limit sign on Google Street View |date=May 2017 |access-date=17 April 2022}} and around 200 crossings are made each day.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/jun/26/wales-toll-bridge-sale-pictures|title=Wales toll bridge for sale – in pictures|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 June 2013|access-date=4 March 2020}}
File:Penmaenpool-bridge-02s.jpg
The George III Inn was originally two buildings: a ship chandler serving the boatbuilding industry, and a pub. It dates from approximately 1650. Gerard Manley Hopkins reputedly wrote the poem entitled "Penmaen Pool" in the visitor's book.{{cite book|title=Paddling Britain: 50 Best Places to Explore by SUP, Kayak & Canoe|first=Lizzie|last=Carr|page=135|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2018|isbn=978-1-784-77603-9}}{{cite book|title=Best Tea Shop Walks in Mid-Wales|first=Dorothy|last=Hamilton|page=120|publisher=Stobart Davies|year=2003|isbn=978-1-850-58796-5}}
Penmaenpool railway station was on the Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway. It opened as Penmaen Pool on 3 July 1865, and closed to goods on 4 May 1964 and passengers on 18 January 1965.{{sfn|Butt|1995|p=183}} The route is now part of the Mawddach Trail and is popular with walkers.{{cite web|url=https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visiting/walking/accessible-walks/mawddach-trail|title=Mawddach Trail|work=Snowdownia National Park|access-date=4 March 2020}}
Incidents
Fifteen people, including four children, drowned on 22 July 1966 when the ferry Prince of Wales hit the toll bridge. The ferry had been taking 39 people on a pleasure trip from Barmouth to the hotel in the village.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/5205054.stm | title=Service for 1966 drowning victims | publisher=BBC | date=22 July 2006 | access-date=2 May 2009}} Though 27 lives were saved, nobody was officially recognised for bravery. A memorial was held by the signal box on the 50th anniversary of the disaster in 2016, and a plaque was unveiled commemorating the victims.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-36857546|title=Penmaenpool ferry disaster victims remembered 50 years on|work=BBC News|date=22 July 2016|access-date=4 March 2020}}
References
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Citations
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Sources
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