Nefyn is a
small seaside resort on the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in
north Wales. 
Today Nefyn is renowned for it's beautiful unspoilt seafront,
clean sea and sandy beaches, but in days gone by it's main claim
to fame was as the medieval borough that was chosen by King Edward 1
of England to host a tournament to celebrate his conquest of Wales in
1284. To this day there is an area on the outskirts of the town known
as Cae Iorwerth (Edward's Field).
As with other locations on the Llŷn Peninsula, Nefyn would have
been a resting place for the many pilgrims on their way to Enys Enlli
(Bardsey
Island), at the tip of the peninsula. But the old church of St Mary's,
now a maritime museum, no longer tends to the needs of the pilgrims but
rather to the curiosity of the many tourists who now visit this isolated
part of north west Wales.
The maritime tradition has always been an important part of the history
of Nefyn and fishing was a major source of income for many in
Nefyn. Indeed the town's coat-of-arms bears three herrings.
In the 21st Century Nefyn is ideally placed to capitalise on the
resurgence in the traditional seaside holidays in the UK and Wales,
and is especially popular with those seeking environmentally friendly
holidays. But the people of Nefyn can not rest on their laurels
and they need to stay on their guard as the potential influx of power
boats and jet skies could cause more damage to the town and it's environment
than a medieval English King and all his armies!
