Campsites in Bala

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Camping in Bala

Bala is a market town in Gwynedd, north Wales, and formerly an urban district of the historic county of Merionethshire.

It lies at the north end of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid), 17 miles north-east of Dolgellau, with a population (2001 census) of 1,980.

It is little more than one wide street, Stryd Fawr (Welsh for 'Big Street' but more usually translated as 'High Street'). The main street and its shops can be quite busy in the summer months with many tourists.

The Welsh word "bala" means the outflow of a lake. Bala, Ontario, Canada was named after it in 1868. They have since become twin towns.

Bala Lake is the largest natural lake in Wales. It has frozen over solid - most recently in the severe winters of 1947 and 1963.

The rare gwyniad fish ( trapped in the lake at the end of the last Ice Age, some 10,000 years ago ) is in danger because its natural home is increasingly unsuitable. A member of the whitefish family, it is found only in Llyn Tegid.

Coleg y Bala is at the top of the hill on the road towards Llyn Celyn. The Victoria Hall is a small old cinema, that previously was a community hall. There are several Chapels: notably - Capel Mawr and Capel Bach. The livestock market on Arenig street is still going strong.