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Towyn

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Towyn
Population7,864 (including Kinmel Bay) (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid referenceSH974794
Principal area
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townABERGELE
Postcode districtLL22
Dialling code01745
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Conwy

Towyn (Welsh: Tywyn), is a seaside resort in the County Borough of Conwy, Wales.

It is located between Rhyl, in Denbighshire, and Abergele in Conwy. According to the 2001 Census, together with neighbouring Kinmel Bay (to the east), it had a population 7,864, of which 10.7% could speak Welsh. Only a third of the population were born in Wales.[1]

A combination of gale-force winds, a high tide and rough seas caused Towyn's flood defences to be breached at about 11.00am on 26 February 1990. 4 square miles (10 km2) of land was flooded, affecting 2,800 properties and causing areas of the resort to be evacuated. The coastal defences have since been reconstructed and significantly enhanced.[2]

Towyn has a notable church. St. Mary's Church was designed by the renowned architect George Edmund Street, and was consecrated on 17 June 1873. It is known for the distinctive tiling on the roof. The same architect also designed the building which now houses the youth club in nearby Abergele.

The principal economic activity in Towyn is tourism, concentrated in the summer season. A mix of static caravans and touring caravan pitches provides accommodation.

A clergyman from Towyn, Griffith Hughes, was the author of The Natural History of Barbados (London, 1750), which contains the first scientific description of the grapefruit.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Towyn & Kinmel Bay Key Statistics (PDF), Conwy County Borough Council, retrieved 4 December 2007
  2. ^ Towyn and Kinmel Bay Coastline, Conwy County Borough Council, retrieved 18 March 2009
  3. ^ World Wide Words: Questions & Answers; Grapefruit. Abstract