still in operation. There are two historic hotels in the village: Elen's Castle Hotel dates back over three hundred years and at one time belonged to Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 1st Earl of Ancaster. In the 1870s he sold it to his game-keeper, who opened it as a coaching inn which specialised in hunting parties. Gwydir Arms Hotel (now called Y Gwydir) named for the estate that contained the village. Geography Nearby mountains include Moel Siabod to the north, Moel Penamnen and Y Ro Wen to the south and, further afield, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) lies approximately 10 miles to the west. Carreg Alltrem, a crag used by many rock climbers, can be found about a mile south of the village. Industry During the Victorian period Dolwyddelan was surrounded by slate quarries. These quarries worked the Nod Glas Formation, which extended across Mid and North Wales. It was primarily a bed of soft, black shale, but in the area of the Dolwyddelan syncline it was partially metamorphisised into slate. The principle quarries were: Prince Llewellyn quarry and Chwarel Fedw Chwarel Ddu Ty'n-y-bryn quarry and Penllyn Rhiw-goch quarry and Ty'n-y-fallen Governance Dolwyddelan is included in the Betws-y-Coed electoral ward which is represented by a county councillor on Conwy County Borough Council. Notable residents Angharad James, poet, lived in Cwm Penamnen, to the south of the village, most of her life and is buried in Saint Gwyddelan's church. John Jones, Talysarn, Welsh preacher was born in Dolwyddelan. Paul Griffiths, playwright, writer, and theatre critic lived and worked in the village. Rachel Johncock, sprinter lives in the village; she represented Great Britain in the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics for the 100m and 4 × 100 m relay. Baron Gwydyr, the Earl of Ancaster, lived in the house which is now Elen's Castle Hotel. Llywelyn the Great (ca.1173 – 1240) King of Gwynedd. Eigra Lewis Roberts, writer, won two Prose Medals, National Eisteddfod Drama Crown and Medal. She was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog, and now lives in Dolwyddelan. Ellis Pierce, also known as Elis o'r Nant, was from Dolwyddelan. Film In 1980 Walt Disney used Dolwyddelan Castle and surrounding grounds to film all the external castle scenes in the film Dragonslayer. During the making of Dragonslayer (starring Peter MacNicol) many other scenes were shot in North Wales. Images References External links Dolwyddelan Community Council Official Website A Vision of Britain Through Time British Listed Buildings