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The town grew around the shipbuilding industry, and more recently as a seaside resort. Notable buildings include the mediaeval Ty Gwyn tower house, the 19th century Ty Crwn roundhouse prison and St John's Church.
William Wordsworth, a visitor to Barmouth in the 19th century, described it thus: "With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day's walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival."
Dinas Oleu (Welsh:Citadel of Light) which is located east of the town on the adjoining hillside, was the first tract of land to be donated to the National Trust.
In January 2014 two trains were stranded at Barmouth after severe winter storms destroyed the sea wall at nearby Llanaber.
Barmouth Bridge, which takes the Cambrian Line over the River Mawddach, was also formerly at the end of the GWR Ruabon Barmouth line, which passed through Bala and Dolgellau. The southern end of the bridge is now the start of the Mawddach Trail, a cycle path and walk way that utilises the old trackbed.
The Barmouth Ferry sails from Barmouth to Penrhyn Point, where it connects with the narrow gauge Fairbourne Railway for the village of Fairbourne.
Barmouth is (geographically) one of the closest seaside resorts to the English West Midlands and a large proportion of its tourist visitors, as well as its permanent residents, are from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley and other parts of the Black Country, and Telford, Shropshire.
The town has a RNLI lifeboat station with a Visitors' Centre with shop and viewing gallery.
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