The Mountain View and Swan Inn, Old Highway, Mochdre

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The Mountain View and Swan Inn, Mochdre

Old Photot of The Mountain View in Mochdre (1905)
The Mountain View in 1905

The reason these pubs are situated here is that this was the original route of the horse-drawn coaches along the Old Highway in the early 19th century. The Old Highway was the main thoroughfare round the back of Colwyn Bay, which was dotted with smithies and with hostelries such as the Mountain View.

When the May Queen, Suie Jones, stepped out of her carriage outside the Mountain View c.1907, the wind lifted her large dress and revealed her red felt petticoat. Ever after, she was known as “Sue pais goch” (Sue red underskirt).

Opposite the Mountain View, on the corner of Old Conway Road and Chapel Street, is the former Swan Inn. If you look up at the chimney you will see a wooden cut-out in the shape of a swan. The Swan Inn pre-dates the Mountain View and is no longer a pub.

In 1880 a young kleptomaniac called John Jones was apprehended in a bed in the Swan Inn, after his sensational escape from Ruthin jail. Nicknamed “Coch Bach y Bala” (little redhead from Bala), he was regarded by some as a folk hero. He escaped from prisons three times, the last time at the age of 60 years.

In 1887 the pub was quickly closed when cannon fire and flag waving announced the arrival of police and soldiers to enforce collection of tithes from local farmers. There were many injuries before the Riot Act was read to the crowd.

Just round the corner from the Mountain View is 6 Tanrallt Street which is named Smithy Cottage, because behind it, in the barn you can still see, was the smithy.

The Mountain View was fortunate because when the Old Conway Road was constructed the pub was still on the main road. It was not until the 1930s, when the new Conway Road was built, that it was cut off from the passing trade.

With thanks to Graham Roberts, of Colwyn Bay Civic Society 

Postcode: LL28 5AT    View Location Map

Website of Mountain View