Mawddach Crescent was the first and only phase of an Edwardian holiday resort built by Cardiff entrepreneur, Solomon Andrews, in the early 20th century.
The village was named after the Welsh ruler Arthog ap Ceredig[3]
History
In 1894, Solomon Andrews, a Cardiff entrepreneur, bought land overlooking the Mawddach estuary. On the site he completed Mawddach Crescent in 1902. The row of terraced properties was the start of a purpose-built holiday resort he intended for the area. However the planned development went no further because the surrounding land proved unsuitable for urban planning. During the Second World War, the Royal Marines commandeered Mawddach Crescent. It became known as Iceland Camp. The marines also built huts on nearby Fegla Fawr; the foundation bases can still be seen between the trees above the estuary.
According to the 2011 census, 28.3% of the community's residents were able to speak Welsh. Consequently, Arthog had the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers of any community in Gwynedd.[4] 70.6% of the community's residents were born outside Wales.[5]
