| Ddisgrifiad / Description | The Royal Oak Stables were converted into a visitor centre for Betws-y-coed and Snowdonia National Park between 1980 and 1985. By 1886 the 'New stables' as they were called were an staging post for the Royal Mail coaches on the London to Holyhead route.
Following the arrival of the Chester to Holyhead Railway in 1848 the Stables coninued to be used for local coaching traffic and even after the opening of the Conwy Valley Line to Betws in 1868, the Royal Oak Hotel ran horse drawn excursions around Snowdonia. The hotel was rebuilt in 1862 and the present frontage to the Stables was probably added at that time.
After the arrival of motor transport the building was rather neglected but had a variety of uses. It was a base for the local fire service and part was used as a Catholic Church. During the last war the Stables were used as rather spartan classrooms by Dulwich College Preparatory School, London which had been evacuated to the Royal Oak.
This view is of the frontage with the gateway which has a carriage wheel and the words Royal Oak Stables within the archway above the gate. [B&W] [Dave Toase, photographer, 111Plunginton Road, Preston, Lancs. PR1 7UE] |