Ruins of Penrhyn marine bath, Bangor
From the Wales Coast Path you may catch a glimpse of ruined walls and a short promontory – the remnants of a marine bath created in the 18th century for the Pennant family of Penrhyn Castle. Please stay on the path and do not attempt to go to the ruins.
The marine bath was designed by the architect Benjamin Wyatt, who worked for Richard Pennant from 1786. Bathing in saltwater was considered good for health. In 1797, the antiquarian and traveller Richard Colt Hoare visited Penrhyn Castle and noted that the hot and cold baths near the sea were “very complete”.
According to a later guide book: “Benjamin Wyatt built a splendid marine bath for bathing in heated sea water at the end of an ‘artifical mole’. There is a dressing room each side, or rather an undressing room, one for the ladies and the other for the gentlemen.” A carriage route from the castle descended through the park to the bath. Visitors “could rest on the way at an elegant little cottage”, where there was an abundance of passion flowers and beautiful creepers of various kinds and a room decorated with caricature prints.
The drawing of the bath was made in 1815 by William Daniell and is shown here courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – the National Library of Wales. Notice the height of Penmaenmawr (the hill in the middle distance on the right) before it was reduced by extensive quarrying.
The photograph shows the remains of the bath in January 2025.
With thanks to Richard Pennington. Sources include the Early Tourists in Wales website
Early Tourists in Wales – website with historical accounts from 1700 to 1900
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