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Lake Vyrnwy History

Every corner of the Vyrnwy Valley is steeped in legends and history. Now a designated nature reserve, this stunning area has provided for generations and continues to inspire to this day.

1840's
1877 -1880
1880 - 1888
1889
1890
1905
1910
1945 - 1985
1987 - 1995
A growing population

Liverpool began as a small town, but by the 19th century, it had become a sprawling city and the greatest trading sea port in the world. With an insufficient supply of water, the search began for the perfect place to build a water reservoir that could supply the entire city.

1840's
1877 -1880
Supply and demand

Several dams were constructed throughout northern England, but by 1865, the demand once again exceeded the supply. Mr Deacon, the city engineer of Liverpool, arrived in Llanwddyn in 1877. With more than 400 streams running directly into the Vyrnwy Valley and a solid rock bar lying across the valley bed, he had finally found the perfect place to build a reservoir large enough to supply the city.

The following year, trial shafts were inserted at the site to test if the rock bed would be secure enough to hold an impressive ten billion gallons of water.

With the tests proving successful, the Liverpool Corporation Waterworks act was passed by Parliament and received the Royal Assent on 6th August 1880.

Work starts on the dam

With a work force in place, they began constructing what was the first large masonry dam in Britain and the largest artificial reservoir in Europe at that time. Measuring 144ft high and 1,171ft long, the dam was built using huge blocks of Welsh Granite, construction was completed in 1888.

Meanwhile, the village of Llanwddyn also had to be rebuilt as once the dam was filled, the entire village was lost, . When the water level is low, it is possible to see the remains of the old village which are still standing.

1880 - 1888
1889
First water flows over the dam

On 22nd November 1889, the first water flowed over the lip of the dam. However, it wasn’t until 14th July 1892 that the first water completed the 68-mile trip into Liverpool.

The hotel is built

In 1890, the Liverpool Corporation set about building the hotel in order to entertain dignitaries and other special guests who came to admire the engineering marvel of the dam. With views looking out over the lake, it soon acquired a reputation for the stunning vistas it still offers to this day.

1890
1905
Growing in popularity

Fifteen years later, the hotel had gained such popularity that fifteen rooms were no longer enough to handle the demand. A new wing was built, giving the hotel an additional nineteen rooms.

The hotel was expanded again in 1930 due to continuing demand.

 

A visit from a king

Twenty years after its completion, the Prince of Wales, later King George V, arrived to officially open the dam. He can be seen standing in the doorway of this photo.

1910
1945 - 1985
The Post War Years

After the war ended, Ruth Moir and Squadron Leader James Moir visited the hotel in 1945, eventually taking up tenancy in 1949. They were then joined in partnership in 1972 by Colonel John Baines, and in 1985, Ruth and Sir John purchased the hotel from Severn Trent Water.

Under new ownership

The Bisiker family became the hotel’s third owners in 1987. The hotel underwent some major refurbishments, and in 1995, they added eight large and luxurious bedrooms, as well as a conference and banqueting suite. The old coach house was also redeveloped into the Tavern Bar, which to this day continues to provide visitors with a relaxed bar area and lakeside views from the terrace.

1987 - 1995