The rapid growth of Britain's population in the 20th century, fueled by industrial expansion and urbanisation, placed an immense strain on natural resources—particularly water.
As cities swelled, the demand for a consistent and reliable water supply became urgent. In some cases, reservoirs were expanded or deeper wells were dug. But for Liverpool in the 1950s, a different and highly controversial solution was chosen: flooding the Welsh village of Capel Celyn to create a reservoir.
This decision ignited outrage, became a symbol of Welsh resistance, and forced dozens of people from their ancestral homes.
Capel Celyn was a small but thriving rural community in the Tryweryn Valley, just north of Bala in Gwynedd, Wales. Home to 67 residents, the village had all the essential institutions of a close-knit settlement: a post office, a general store, a chapel, a school, and a cemetery.
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More importantly, it was a cultural stronghold of the Welsh language—almost the entire population spoke Welsh as their first language, making it one of the most distinctly Welsh-speaking communities in the country.
All of this changed in 1965 when Capel Celyn was submerged under the waters of the newly created Llyn Celyn reservoir.
The process of erasing Capel Celyn began in 1957, when Liverpool City Council submitted a private bill to Parliament seeking approval to construct a reservoir in the Tryweryn Valley. By gaining permission directly from Westminster, the council bypassed the need for consent from Welsh authorities or residents. This enraged the Welsh people, particularly as the proposal was met with fierce political opposition: 35 out of 36 Welsh MPs voted against it. Despite this, the bill passed in 1962, sealing the fate of Capel Celyn and its residents.
When the valley was flooded three years later, all buildings—homes, farms, and the beloved chapel—disappeared beneath the water. The loss was profound: 48 of the 67 villagers were permanently displaced, forced to leave the land that had been home to generations of their families.
The drowning of Capel Celyn became a defining moment in modern Welsh history. It fueled a surge of nationalism and was a catalyst for the Welsh devolution movement decades later.
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The outcry over the village’s destruction led to the rise of groups such as Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) and fueled support for Plaid Cymru, Wales' nationalist party. It also spurred direct action from activists, including acts of sabotage against water pipelines and government property.
Even in modern times, Capel Celyn has remained a powerful symbol. In 2005, Liverpool City Council issued a formal apology for its actions, acknowledging the deep wounds caused by the flooding. The Welsh phrase "Cofiwch Dryweryn" ("Remember Tryweryn") has since become a rallying cry, seen graffitied on walls across Wales as a reminder of the village lost to English demands.
Though Capel Celyn lies beneath the water, remnants of the village occasionally reappear. During the 2022 heatwave—Britain’s hottest year on record—the receding reservoir revealed the ghostly remains of tree stumps and stone structures, bringing the lost village momentarily back into view. Some visitors even found fragments of household items, like pottery and kitchenware, offering a tangible link to the lives that were once lived there.
The destruction of Capel Celyn is now seen as one of the greatest injustices in Welsh history, and it remains a stark reminder of the tension between local identity and central government power. Even decades later, its legacy continues to shape Welsh politics, culture, and the fight for greater autonomy.