Editing Colwyn Bay

{{Short description|Town in Conwy County Borough, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                     = Wales
| welsh_name                  = Bae Colwyn
| label_position              = bottom
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Clwyd West (Assembly constituency)|Clwyd West]]
| population_ref              = 10,576 (Community, 2021)<ref name=community>{{cite web |title=Colwyn Bay |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/wales/admin/conwy/W04001045__colwyn_bay/ |website=City Population |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref><br>{{nowrap|29,275 (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=ons>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>}}
| coordinates                 = {{coord|53.29|-3.70|display=inline,title}}
| official_name               = Colwyn Bay
| community_wales             = Colwyn Bay
| unitary_wales               = [[Conwy County Borough|Conwy]]
| lieutenancy_wales           = [[Clwyd]]
| constituency_westminster    = [[Clwyd North (UK Parliament constituency)|Clwyd North]]
| post_town                   = COLWYN BAY
| postcode_district           = LL28, LL29
| postcode_area               = LL
| dial_code                   = 01492
| os_grid_reference           = SH865785
| static_image_name           = <!-- images and maps  -----------> {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow            = 1/2/2/2/2
| total_width       = 250
| image1 = Colwyn_Bay_panorama.jpg
| image2 = Station Road in Colwyn Bay - geograph.org.uk - 2090426.jpg
| image3 = Penrhyn Road - geograph.org.uk - 51673.jpg
| footer = From the top, View over Colwyn Bay, Station Road, Penrhyn Road}}
| static_image_caption        = 
| module= [[File:Wales Conwy Community Colwyn Bay map.svg|240px]]<br />Map of the community
}}

'''Colwyn Bay''' ({{langx|cy|Bae Colwyn}}) is a [[town]], [[Community (Wales)|community]] and [[seaside resort]] in [[Conwy County Borough]] on the north coast of [[Wales]] overlooking the [[Irish Sea]]. It lies within the [[historic counties of Wales|historic county boundaries]] of [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]]. At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the community had a population of 10,576, and the built up area had a population of 29,275. According to the tourist board, it is renowned for its [https://www.visitconwy.org.uk/things-to-do/beaches 3 mile long sandy beach] which has been enhanced with millions of tonnes of sand, so therefore 'man-made' and its permanently available irrespective of the tides.<ref>https://www.gonorthwales.co.uk/things-to-do/colwyn-bay-beach-p377001#:~:text=About,of%20parking%20on%20the%20promenade.</ref>

== History ==
The western side of Colwyn Bay, [[Rhos-on-Sea]], includes a number of historic sites associated with [[Saint Trillo|St Trillo]] and [[Ednyfed Fychan]], the 13th century general and councillor to [[Llywelyn the Great]].

The name 'Colwyn' may be named after Collwyn ap Tangno, an 11th century nobleman who was Lord of Eifionnydd, Ardudwy and part of the Llŷn peninsula,<ref>{{Cite book |title=The history of the parishes of Whiteford, and Holywell |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004874860.0001.000/1:14.2?rgn=div2;view=fulltext |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512175344/https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004874860.0001.000/1:14.2?rgn=div2;view=fulltext |archive-date=12 May 2018 |website=quod.lib.umich.edu |date = October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> or after the River Colwyn in Old Colwyn. (In Welsh the word ''Colwyn'' means "puppy" (with the 'w' being a vowel), but ''Collwyn'' (with an alveolar lateral fricative) is a more plausible toponym, meaning "hazel grove" (''llwyn cyll'').)

[[Richard II of England|King Richard II]] (1367–1400) was ambushed in Old Colwyn in 1399 by supporters of [[Henry IV of England|Henry Bolingbroke]] as he returned to England from Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History Points - Penmaen Head, Old Colwyn|url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=penmaen-head-old-colwyn|access-date=2021-08-23|website=historypoints.org}}</ref>

[[File:(Pier and Pavillion, Colwyn Bay, Wales) (LOC) (3751644619).jpg|thumb|left|"Pier and Pavilion, Colwyn Bay, Wales", ca. 1890 - 1900.]]
[[Colwyn Bay railway station]] opened in 1849 on the [[Chester and Holyhead Railway]]. The station was initially just called Colwyn, but was renamed Colwyn Bay in 1876.<ref>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=67 }}</ref> As with nearby [[Llandudno]] and [[Rhyl]], Colwyn Bay grew rapidly following the arrival of the railway, becoming a seaside holiday town, conveniently accessible for the large towns in north-west England. Much of the area around Colwyn Bay station was owned by the Pwllycrochan Estate. From 1875 onwards, the estate actively sought to develop its land, selling building plots for development whilst retaining some control over the nascent town.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/category/history/ |website=Colwyn Bay Heritage Group |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

Britain's first [[milk bar]] branch of the National Milk Bar company of [[Robert William Griffiths]] was opened in Colwyn Bay in 1933<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sherlock |first1=Gemma |title=The cafe that is now the very last of its kind |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8pe5q5q5zo |website=BBC |publisher=BBC |access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref>.

During [[World War II]] the Colwyn Bay Hotel, Marine Road (now demolished) was the headquarters of the Ministry of Food. This also housed the Cocoa & Chocolate division and was the communications hub for the ministry. They continued to use the hotel until 1953.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History Points - Site of Colwyn Bay Hotel|url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=site-of-colwyn-bay-hotel|access-date=2021-08-23|website=historypoints.org}}</ref> Colwyn also supported the war effort by becoming a significant location for the diamond cutting and polishing industry, which was used to help fund the war effort.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History Points - Site of wartime diamond factory, Colwyn Bay|url=https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=site-of-wartime-diamond-factory-colwyn-bay|access-date=2021-08-23|website=historypoints.org}}</ref>

== Government ==
[[File:Colwyn Bay Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 4860049.jpg|thumb|[[Colwyn Bay Town Hall]]]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Colwyn Bay, at [[Community (Wales)|community]] (town) and [[Principal areas of Wales|county borough]] level: [[Bay of Colwyn Town Council]] (Cyngor Tref Bae Colwyn) and [[Conwy County Borough Council]] (Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy). The town council is a grouped community council, covering the three communities of Colwyn Bay, [[Old Colwyn]] and [[Rhos-on-Sea]]. The town council is based at [[Colwyn Bay Town Hall]] on Rhiw Road, which was built as a magistrates' court.<ref>{{NHAW|desc=Police station and magistrates court|num=14707|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Town Hall |url=https://www.colwyn-tc.gov.uk/town-hall-room-hire/ |website=Bay of Colwyn Town Council |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> The county borough council also has its main offices in the town, at Coed Pella on Conway Road.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18559256.flagship-58m-colwyn-bay-coed-pella-base-left-partially-empty/  |title=Flagship £58m Colwyn Bay Coed Pella base could be left partially empty|newspaper=North Wales Pioneer|date=3 July 2020|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
The Colwyn Bay area was historically part of the [[ancient parish]] of [[Rhos-on-Sea|Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs]], which straddled the boundary between [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]] and [[Caernarfonshire]]. The part of the parish in Caernarfonshire was known as the [[Township (England)|township]] of Eirias, which contained [[Old Colwyn]]. The Eirias township and the neighbouring parish of [[Llysfaen]] to the east together formed an [[exclave]] of Caernafonshire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denbighshire Sheet III |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/102341153 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=13 March 2025 |date=1879}}</ref> From the 17th century onwards, parishes were gradually given various civil functions under the [[poor laws]], in addition to their original ecclesiastical functions. In some cases, the civil functions were exercised by subdivisions of the parish rather than the parish as a whole. In the case of Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs, the parish was split into two parts for administering the poor laws: the Caernarfonshire township of Eirias, and the rest of the parish in Denbighshire. In 1866, the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws, and so Eirias and Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs became separate [[civil parish]]es.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II, Northern England |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0861931270 |page=xv}}</ref>

In 1887, a [[Local Government Act 1858|local government district]] called 'Colwyn Bay and Colwyn' was created, covering the combined area of the civil parishes of Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs and Eirias.{{efn|With the exception of 18 acres of Eirias south-east of Old Colwyn that was almost detached from the rest of the township; that area was transferred to Llysfaen parish in 1896.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langston |first1=Brett |title=Conway Registration District |url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/conway.html |website=UK BMD |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>}} The district was then administered by an elected local board.<ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Local Government Board |date=1888 |page=370 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Annual_Report_of_the_Local_Government_Bo/dgBFAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA370&printsec=frontcover |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> When elected county councils were established in 1889 under the [[Local Government Act 1888]], districts such as Colwyn Bay and Colwyn were no longer allowed to straddle county boundaries; the county boundary was therefore adjusted to place the whole district in Denbighshire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pulling |first1=Alexander |title=A Handbook for County Authorities |date=1889 |publisher=William Clowes and Sons |location=London |page=21 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_Handbook_for_County_Authorities/L2JHAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21&printsec=frontcover |access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]].

The Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Urban District was enlarged in 1923 to take in the neighbouring parish of Llysfaen, which was consequently also transferred from Caernarfonshire to Denbighshire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ministry of Health Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 4) Act 1922 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5/12-13/94/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> The urban district was renamed from 'Colwyn Bay and Colwyn' to just 'Colwyn Bay' in 1926.<ref>{{cite book |title=Census of England and Wales, 1931: Counties of Denbigh and Flint |date=1933 |page=8 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Census_of_England_Wales_1931/8JAcAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22February%201926%22&dq=%22Colwyn%20Bay%22%20%22Colwyn%20Bay%20and%20Colwyn%22%20February%201926&printsec=frontcover |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> The three civil parishes within the urban district were then Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs, Eirias and Llysfaen; they were merged into a single parish called Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs matching the urban district in 1927.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colwyn Bay Urban District Council Act 1926 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5/16-17/80/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=13 March 2025}}, Section 125</ref> The urban district was incorporated to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1934.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colwyn Bay Urban District / Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10221080 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

The borough of Colwyn Bay was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. The area became part of the new borough of [[Colwyn (district)|Colwyn]] in [[Clwyd]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|accessdate=1 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Districts in Wales (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=34|accessdate=30 October 2022}}</ref> The area of the pre-1974 borough of Colwyn Bay became a [[Community (Wales)|community]]. It was later subdivided into five smaller communities in 1983: Colwyn Bay, Llysfaen, [[Mochdre, Conwy|Mochdre]], Old Colwyn, and Rhos-on-Sea.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langston |first1=Brett |title=Colwyn Registration District |url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/colwyn.html |website=UK BMD |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Denbighshire and Flintshire: Diagram showing administrative boundaries |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/241241968 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=13 March 2025 |date=1972}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

Local government was reorganised again in 1996, when the modern county borough of Conwy was created. Alongside the 1996 reforms, a grouped community council was created covering the three communities of Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn and Rhos-on-Sea, with its community council taking the name Bay of Colwyn Town Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Town Council |url=https://www.colwyn-tc.gov.uk/town-council/ |website=Bay of Colwyn Town Council |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The town is situated about halfway along the north coast of Wales, between the sea and the Pwllycrochan Woods on the towering hillside. Groes yn Eirias (Welsh:''Cross in Torch'') was once a separate hamlet centred on the Glyn farmhouse (c1640) but the area is now occupied by the Glyn estate and [[Eirias Park]].

== Climate ==
Like the rest of the [[British Isles]], Colwyn Bay experiences a [[maritime climate]] with cool summers and mild winters, and often high winds. The local climate is well known for the prevalence of [[Foehn wind]]s: winds from the south which pass over the nearby mountains and warm and dry on their descent, leading to far higher temperatures than might otherwise be expected; the area held the Welsh high temperature record for February at 18.7&nbsp;°C from 23 February 2012 to 24 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Office |first=Met |title=UK climate |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate-extremes/#?tab=climateExtremes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103004237/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate-extremes/#?tab=climateExtremes |archive-date=3 January 2018 |website=Metoffice.gov.uk |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Colwyn Bay 36m asl, 1981-2010 
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 16.1
|Feb record high C = 18.7
|Mar record high C = 21.4
|Apr record high C = 24.8
|May record high C = 28.1
|Jun record high C = 30.3
|Jul record high C = 33.0
|Aug record high C = 32.4
|Sep record high C = 28.3
|Oct record high C = 27.2
|Nov record high C = 18.3
|Dec record high C = 16.4
|year record high C = 33.0
|Jan high C = 8.5
|Feb high C = 8.4
|Mar high C = 10.3
|Apr high C = 12.1
|May high C = 15.2
|Jun high C = 17.6
|Jul high C = 19.6
|Aug high C = 19.4
|Sep high C = 17.4
|Oct high C = 14.3
|Nov high C = 11.1
|Dec high C = 8.9
|year high C = 13.6
|Jan low C = 2.8
|Feb low C = 2.7
|Mar low C = 4.1
|Apr low C = 5.3
|May low C = 7.7
|Jun low C = 10.4
|Jul low C = 12.5
|Aug low C = 12.5
|Sep low C = 10.7
|Oct low C = 8.1
|Nov low C = 5.7
|Dec low C = 3.2
|year low C = 7.2
|Jan record low C = -9.9
|Feb record low C = -7.2
|Mar record low C = -9.3
|Apr record low C = -4.2
|May record low C = -1.7
|Jun record low C = 2.4
|Jul record low C = 5.7
|Aug record low C = 4.0
|Sep record low C = 0.6
|Oct record low C = -3.8
|Nov record low C = -7.3
|Dec record low C = -10.4
|year record low C = -10.4
|Jan precipitation mm = 74.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 53.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 57.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 50.7
|May precipitation mm = 52.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 56.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 52.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 64.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 70.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 96.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 89.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 90.2
|year precipitation mm = 808.7
|Jan sun = 56.2
|Feb sun = 81.8
|Mar sun = 115.0
|Apr sun = 162.8
|May sun = 209.0
|Jun sun = 185.6
|Jul sun = 189.6
|Aug sun = 174.7
|Sep sun = 135.2
|Oct sun = 108.2
|Nov sun = 59.9
|Dec sun = 44.1
|year sun = 1522.0
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colwyn Bay 1981-2010 averages |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/colwyn_bay.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007095626/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/colwyn_bay.html |archive-date=7 October 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012 |publisher=[[Met Office]]}}</ref>
|date=September 2011
}}

== Demography ==
At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the community of Colwyn Bay had a population of 10,576,<ref name=community/> and the built up area as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] had a population of 29,275.<ref name=ons/> Bay of Colwyn Town Council serves the combined area of the three communities of Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn (8,125) and Rhos-on-Sea (7,766), which therefore had a combined population of 26,467 in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conwy (with communities) |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/wales/admin/W06000003__conwy/ |website=City Population |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

At the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]], 17.9% of the Colwyn Bay community's population aged three and above reported that they could speak [[Welsh language|Welsh]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comisiynydd y Gymraeg - 2011 Census results by Community |url=http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Policy,%20research%20and%20data/Census%20Data/Pages/2011CensusresultsbyCommunity.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914001036/http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Policy,%20research%20and%20data/Census%20Data/Pages/2011CensusresultsbyCommunity.aspx |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=2018-01-27 |website=Comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru |language=en-us |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The 2011 census also noted that 29.9% of the population who were born in Wales could speak Welsh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LC2206WA (Welsh language skills by country of birth by age) - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/lc2206wa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027181055/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/lc2206wa |archive-date=27 October 2017 |access-date=2018-01-27 |website=Nomisweb.co.uk |language=en |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The town is dominated by the tourist trade, because of its famous beaches. Colwyn Bay is a [[Fairtrade Town]] as certified by the [[Fairtrade Foundation]] as part of the Fairtrade Towns scheme.

== Culture ==
Colwyn Bay hosted the [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1910 and 1947. Also the Victoria Pier hosted many dances and shows during the 20th century and became popular with touring bands and artistes through the 1960s until the final gig there in August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://link2wales.co.uk/2012/crudblog/dixieland-colwyn-bay-pier/|title=Dixieland – Colwyn Bay Pier|website=Link2wales.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>

== Community facilities ==
The town has parks and gardens and a number of natural amenities such as [[Eirias Park]]. Colwyn Bay has received a gold award 8 times in the Wales in Bloom competition. In 2009 and 2010 the town has been invited to enter Britain in Bloom and has been awarded silver gilt in both years. The [[Welsh Mountain Zoo]] is nearby.

The Porth Eirias Watersports Centre offers tuition in sailing, windsurfing and power boating as well as kayak and canoe hire. In 2013 it was nominated for ''[[Building Design]]'''s [[Carbuncle Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Britain's ugliest new buildings named |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10252696/Britains-ugliest-new-buildings-named.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328061531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10252696/Britains-ugliest-new-buildings-named.html |archive-date=28 March 2014 |publisher=Daily Telegraph |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was described by the Building Design magazine as “oppressively bland, shaped like a dumpster, and totally insensitive to the beautiful surrounding coast".<ref>Daily Telegraph - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/Britains-ugliest-new-buildings-named/
</ref>

== Landmarks ==
[[File:Colwyn Bay - The Victoria Pier - geograph.org.uk - 208412.jpg|alt=small building with white and red frontage and two small towers|thumb|Victoria pier]]
[[File:Clowyn bay 1.jpg|thumb|right|Colwyn Bay in the early 2000s.The buildings to the right have since been demolished.]] 
The [[Victoria Pier, Colwyn Bay|Victoria Pier]] was closed to the public in 2009, when a dispute between [[Conwy County Borough Council]] and the pier's owner led to him being declared bankrupt. The fate of the pier was initially uncertain; the council hoped it would be "substantially" demolished for "health and safety and visual reasons to be able to re-open that section of the beach”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=David |date=14 August 2016 |title=Ask Daily Post: What is going on with Colwyn Bay Pier? |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/whats-happening-colwyn-bay-pier-11746721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041105/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/whats-happening-colwyn-bay-pier-11746721 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |website=dailypost.co.uk |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 
In January 2017, the lower end of the pier partially collapsed into the sea and Conwy Council subsequently announced plans to dismantle and store the pier, with a view of restoring it at a later date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2017 |title=Engineers assess collapsed Colwyn Bay Victoria Pier damage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38841948 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204152314/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38841948 |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=2 February 2017 |website=BBC News |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2017 |title=Collapsed Colwyn Bay Pier to be dismantled for 'protection' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38943101 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211222737/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38943101 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |access-date=12 February 2017 |website=BBC News |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The pier was finally demolished in May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |title=End of the pier as demolition completed at Colwyn Bay |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-44113372/end-of-the-pier-as-demolition-completed-at-colwyn-bay |access-date=16 May 2018 }}</ref>

[[Llety'r Dryw]] is a Grade II listed house in Abergele Road, built for the uncle of [[Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon|Anthony Eden]] and now used as the training centre for [[North Wales Police]]. [[Llys Euryn]] is a medieval manor house on [[Bryn Euryn]], now in ruins. There are a number of buildings by notable local architect [[Sidney Colwyn Foulkes]]. These include Williams Deacon's Bank 1925 and Colwyn House 1933-7 originally occupied by the W.S.Wood department store.<ref>{{Cite web|title=[:en]Town Centre Heritage Walk[:cy]Llwybr Treftadaeth Canol y Dref[:]|url=https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/town-centre-heritage-walk/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Colwyn Bay Heritage|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Colwyn Bay Community Hospital]] was completed in 1925.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sidney Colwyn Foulkes |date=15 August 2011 |url=https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/sidney-colwyn-foulkes/ |access-date=26 February 2019 |publisher=Colwyn Bay Heritage}}</ref>

''Cotswold'', on Brackley Avenue, is a notable town villa by Alfred Steinthal. Built for a Manchester businesswoman, the house was subsequently the home of [[Sidney Colwyn Foulkes]]. It is a [[Listed building|Grade II listed building]].<ref>{{National Historic Assets of Wales|desc=Cotswold|num=14669|grade=II|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> Its [[Japanese garden|Japanese]] and [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] style gardens are listed, also at Grade II on the [[Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales]].<ref>{{NHAW|uid=188|num=PGW(Gd)60(CON)|desc=Cotswold, Brackley Avenue|class=HPG|access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref> Another notable garden is The Flagstaff, overlooking the bay. It was designed by [[Thomas Hayton Mawson]] for a house that was not ultimately built, and is listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS register.<ref>{{NHAW|uid=189|num=PGW(Gd)61(CON)|desc=The Flagstaff|class=HPG|access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>

== Transport ==
The town is served by [[Colwyn Bay railway station]] located in the town centre on the [[North Wales Coast Line]] with trains run by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]] and [[Avanti West Coast]]. 
The [[A55 road]] passes through the town, running parallel to the [[North Wales Coast Line]].

===Tramline===
The [[Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway]] operated an electric tramway service between  [[Llandudno]] and [[Rhos-on-Sea]] from 1907 and extended to Colwyn Bay in 1908. The service closed in 1956.<ref>''The Golden Age of Tramways''. Published by Taylor and Francis.</ref>

== Education ==
Colwyn Bay has three [[secondary school]]s - one private and two state. [[Eirias High School]] is in [[Eirias Park]] and [[Ysgol Bryn Elian]] is in [[Old Colwyn]]. Ysgol Bryn Elian mainly serves Old Colwyn and Eirias High School mainly serves Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Penrhyn Bay.

[[Rydal Penrhos|Rydal Penrhos School]] is a Methodist public school, which is on multiple sites in the town. Fees at this elite public school exceeded more than £34,000 per year for boarding in 2021 and boasts the only Eton Fives courts in Wales. Former alumni include Princess Maria of Romania, a cousin of Prince  Charles.

The town's primary schools are Ysgol Nant y Groes, Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, Ysgol T Gwynn Jones, Ysgol Hen Golwyn, and Saint Joseph's R.C. Primary and the Welsh-language [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726173438/http://www.bodalaw.ik.org/ Ysgol Bod Alaw].

== Religious sites ==
Churches in and around the town include the parish church [[St Paul's Church, Colwyn Bay|St Paul's Church]], [[St David's Welsh Church, Colwyn Bay|St David's Welsh Church]], [[St John the Baptist's Church, Old Colwyn|St John the Baptist's Church]], [[St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Colwyn Bay|St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church]] and [[Christ Church, Bryn-y-Maen]] to the south of the town.

== Sport ==
The local football team is [[Colwyn Bay F.C.]] who play in the [[Cymru Premier]], the top tier of Welsh football after securing promotion in the 2022–23 season. The local cricket team is Colwyn Bay Cricket Club who play at [[Penrhyn Avenue]] and the rugby union team is [[Colwyn Bay RFC]]. As of 2012, the [[RGC 1404]] rugby team play at [[Eirias Stadium]] in Colwyn Bay as part of a development venture by the WRU.

Colwyn Bay Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1893. The club and course closed in 1959 and the land was used for a housing development.<ref>[http://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/wales-64/1031-colwyn-bay-golf-club-upper-colwyn-conwy “Colwyn Bay Golf Club”] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327052047/http://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/wales-64/1031-colwyn-bay-golf-club-upper-colwyn-conwy |date=27 March 2015 }}, “Golf’s Missing Links”.</ref>

The Black Cat Cycling Club, founded in 2014, is based in Colwyn Bay<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Black Cat Cycling Club Club profile |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/6881/the_black_cat_cycling_club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808191131/https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/6881/the_black_cat_cycling_club |archive-date=8 August 2016 |website=British Cycling |df=dmy-all}}</ref> with members made up of cyclists from the town and the surrounding area.

[[Glamorgan County Cricket Club]] traditionally play one first-class game a year at Colwyn Bay.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glamorgan Cricket |url=https://tickets.glamorgancricket.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=1FC011F3-7ED7-431D-BD9D-C5CCA7A03B14&menu_id=62B3D0ED-580F-498E-BEE5-1E6FD3730552 |website=Glamorgan Cricket Tickets and Memberships |access-date=16 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
:''See [[:Category:People from Colwyn Bay]]''
[[File:Timothy Dalton 1987.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Timothy Dalton]], 1987]]
* [[William Davies (priest)|William Davies]] (born at Groes yn Eirias in 1555), a Welsh Roman Catholic priest and martyr, beatified in 1987<ref>[http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-DAVI-WIL-1593.html Davies, William (d. 1593)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205111533/http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-DAVI-WIL-1593.html |date=5 December 2009 }} at [[National Library of Wales]] Dictionary of Welsh Biography</ref> 
* [[William Roache]] (born 1932), actor, plays [[Ken Barlow (Coronation Street)|Ken Barlow]] in ''[[Coronation Street]]''; attended [[Rydal Penrhos]] independent day school 
* [[Terry Jones]] (1942–2020) actor and comedian with the [[Monty Python]] comedy team
* [[Alun Michael]] (born 1943) [[South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner]] and former [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
* [[Timothy Dalton]] (born 1946) actor, played [[James Bond]], 1986–1994
* [[Richard Ellis (astronomer)|Richard Ellis]] (born 1950), California-based astronomer; born and went to school in [[Old Colwyn]]
* [[Paula Yates]] (1959–2000), British television presenter and writer
* [[Helen Willetts]] (born 1972), [[BBC]] weather reporter
* [[The Vivienne]] (1992–2025), drag queen who won season 1 of [[RuPaul's Drag Race UK]]; born in the Bay and attended Rydal Penrhos until age 16
* [[Isabelle Jane Foulkes]] (1970–2001), Anglo-Welsh artist, textile designer and disability campaigner

=== Sport ===
* [[Nancie Colling]] (1919–2020) an international lawn bowls competitor 
* [[Tony Lewis]] (born 1938), cricketer who captained Glamorgan
* [[Mike Walker (Welsh footballer)|Mike Walker]] (born 1945), footballer with 656 club caps and former manager of [[Everton FC]] and [[Norwich City FC]]
* [[Peter O'Sullivan (Welsh footballer)|Peter O'Sullivan]] (born 1951) a former footballer with 530 club caps, mainly with [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton]]
* [[Mickey Thomas (footballer)|Mickey Thomas]] (born 1954) footballer, played for [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Shrewsbury Town]] and [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]] with 603 club caps and 51 for [[Wales national football team|Wales]]; lives in [[Mochdre, Conwy|Mochdre]]
* [[Carl Dale]] (born 1966), footballer for [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] and [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] with over 430 club caps
* [[Ash Dykes]] (born ca.1980) adventurer and extreme athlete; grew up in [[Old Colwyn]]
* [[Rachel Taylor (rugby player)|Rachel Taylor]] (born 1983), Welsh [[Women's international rugby union|women's rugby international player]]<ref>[http://www.wru.co.uk/19814.php?player=54286&includeref=dynamic Squad Profiles: Wales Women] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011230158/http://www.wru.co.uk/19814.php?player=54286&includeref=dynamic |date=11 October 2016 }} at Welsh Rugby Union, 2012</ref>
* [[Marc Williams]] (born 1988), footballer with over 400 club caps
* [[Rosie Hughes]] (born 1995), footballer for [[Wrexham A.F.C. Women|Wrexham Women]]

== See also ==
* [[Mochdre, Conwy|Mochdre]], a village to the west that was originally part of the Borough.

== References ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Colwyn Bay}}
{{Wikivoyage|Colwyn Bay}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Colwyn Bay | volume= 6 | page = 748 |short= 1}}
* [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/1085 A Vision of Britain Through Time]
* [http://www.colwyncouncil.co.uk/ Bay of Colwyn Town Council]
* [http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wales/conwy/colwyn+bay British Listed Buildings]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130115083135/http://www.clwydfhs.org.uk/eglwysi/colwynbay.htm Clwyd Churches]
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/DEN/ColwynBay/index.html Genuki]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/browse.php?p=340609 Geograph]

{{Conwy}}

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[[Category:Colwyn Bay| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Conwy County Borough]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Wales]]
[[Category:Communities in Conwy County Borough]]