Scheduled MonumentsWalesThe Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass
Post Medieval/Modern · Road

The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass

Conwy, Wales
Cadw SAM CN338
Period
Post Medieval/Modern
Site type
Road
Broad class
Transport
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

The Holyhead Road through the Ogwen Pass is a Post Medieval and Modern transport route in Conwy, Wales, constructed as part of the major eighteenth-century road improvement scheme connecting London to Holyhead in Anglesey. The road was engineered to facilitate more efficient travel and commerce across North Wales, representing the infrastructure developments characteristic of the Georgian period. The pass itself, cutting through the Snowdonian landscape, required significant civil engineering works to achieve a viable gradient and reliable all-weather surface suitable for coach traffic. This arterial route remains an important historical record of early modern transport development and the investment in Welsh infrastructure during the age of improved communications.

The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CN338. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass?

The Holyhead Road through the Ogwen Pass is a Post Medieval and Modern transport route in Conwy, Wales, constructed as part of the major eighteenth-century road improvement scheme connecting London to Holyhead in Anglesey. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CN338.

What period does The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass date from?

The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass dates from the post medieval/modern period, and is classified as a road. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass?

The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CN338.

What other scheduled monuments are near The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Nant Ffrancon Anti-invasion Defences (0.5 km), Hut Circle Settlement at Nant Bochllwyd (1.3 km), Pen-y-Gwryd Pillboxes (5.3 km).

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