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Bala is a
picturesque and
historic little
market town
consisting of
little more than
a main street,
lying on the
edge of the
Snowdonia
National Park in
a designated
area of
outstanding
natural beauty.
Bala was founded
by Royal Charter
around 1310 by
Roger de
Mortimer in
order to tame
the rebellious
Penllyn District
populace. Today,
Bala is possibly
one of the best
places in Wales
to hear the
spoken Welsh
language (one of
the oldest
languages in
Europe), with it
being the first
language of
around 80% of
the 2000 or so
population.
Bala is within a
scenic hours
drive of many of
the coastal
resorts of north
and mid Wales,
though many
people find all
they need in and
around Bala
itself. Though
small, the town
has all the
shops and
amenities you
could need.
Surrounded by
the high peaks
of Aran Benllyn,
Arenig Fawr and
the spectacular
Berwyn
mountains, Bala
boasts the
largest natural
lake in Wales,
Bala Lake or
Llyn Tegid,
which offers
excellent water
sports and
fishing
facilities.
Indeed, Bala
lake is home to
a unique species
of fish called
the Gwyniad, a
kind of
land-locked
herring which is
said to date
back to the
Ice-Age.
Running along
the south shore
of the lake is
the Bala lake
narrow-gauge
Steam Railway
which is an
ideal way to
take in the
breathtaking
scenery, or if
you are feeling
more energetic,
why not take to
the many walking
and cycling
routes in the
area.
In a nearby
valley to the
north is another
lake, Llyn Celyn,
which is
entirely
artificial.
Canoeing
competitions are
held on the
white water
downstream from
its dam.
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