Snowdonia poster – London Midland and Scottish Railway poster – Wales Travel Poster – Charles H Baker – 1933
Although this Snowdonia poster was originally created over 90 years ago in 1933, the idyllic scene it portrays has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. The view is as timeless today as it was when Snowdon was first formed during the Cambrian Period between 542-485 million years ago, a pivotal point in Earth’s evolutionary history, as it is when the most diverse array of animal life began to emerge. For millennia, the tranquil beauty of Snowdonia has been a source of inspiration for artists, exemplified in this iconic poster from 1933. It was created by the Somerset-born painter and art historian Charles Henry Collins Baker for the London Midland And Scottish Railway.
It’s easy to see why this painting has captivated people for decades. The breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia is showcased in the soft light of a grey day in Wales. The rolling hills, rugged peaks, and lush greenery evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. The artist has captured the sun’s rays peeking through the clouds to cast a warm glow on the landscape at the foot of the iconic mountain. The inclusion of a large white farmhouse in the lower corner offers a sense of scale to the entire scene. This enduring image is just as beautiful today as when Baker first painted it.
Drawing in tourism to the stunning Welsh countryside, Charles H Baker’s ‘Snowdonia’ vintage travel poster brings to life yet again the beauty of Yr Wyddfa and its majestic surroundings. Its lingering message of hope and beauty resonates with people of all ages. Its simplicity and grandeur make it one of the most beloved posters of all time. Charles H Baker’s Snowdonia travel poster is a classic image that has been enjoyed by millions of people for decades. Its quiet beauty reminds us of the beauty of nature and the power of an image to stand the test of time. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just looking for a way to remember your trip, this poster is sure to capture your imagination. The perfect reminder of why we go on holiday—to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience the beauty of nature.
It’s a poster that resonates with people of all ages. Its simplicity and grandeur make it one of the most beloved posters of all time. Charles H Baker’s Snowdonia travel poster is a classic image that has been enjoyed by millions of people for decades. Its quiet beauty reminds us of the beauty of nature and the power of an image to stand the test of time. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just looking for a way to remember your trip, this poster is sure to capture your imagination.
Snowdon and the Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia is a picturesque region in northwest Wales, renowned for its breathtaking mountain views, sprawling national park, and countless outdoor activities. The region is centered around Snowdonia National Park, home to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain’s only public rack and pinion railway, that takes you to the summit of Wales’s highest mountain, which offers panoramic views of the Irish Sea and the rugged peaks that surround you.
Although Snowdonia is an internationally renowned mountain, locals prefer to refer to the Mynydd by its Welsh name, Eryri – which means ‘home of the eagle’. Snowdonia National Park is called Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri in Welsh. Snowdonia National Park covers an area of 823 square miles and is home to over 26,000 people. The park is steeped in culture, history, and heritage, with the Welsh language being an integral part of daily life. The park is home to nine mountain ranges with the Snowdonia massif being the most well-known. Other principal ranges include the Carneddau, the Glyderau, the Moelwynion, and the Moel Hebog ranges, whilst, to the south, the national park also boasts the Rhinogydd, the Cadir Idris and Aran Fawddwy ranges. The park contains fifteen mountains that exceed 30,000 feet in height.
Whilst the nine mountain ranges of Snowdonia cover about 52% of the park, there is much more to the National Park of Eryri than just mountains. The majestic Welsh mountains often take the spotlight, making it easy to overlook the beauty of Eryri National Park. Apart from the beauty and charm of its high mountains, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a delightfully varied landscape of steep river gorges, stunning glacial valleys, ancient woodlands, picturesque lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush green valleys. The park has 1,479 miles (2,380 km) of public footpaths, 164 miles (264 km) of public bridleways, and 46 miles (74 km) of other public rights of way.
Wales has 870 miles of beautiful unspoiled coastal path which offers some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery in the world. In 2012, existing coastal walks and trails were connected to form one unbroken walkway along the entire coast of Wales. Known as the Wales Coast Path it became the first footpath in the world to stretch the full length of a country’s coastline. The Visit Snowdonia info website explains that Snowdonia is home to 200 miles of coast which includes the Llŷn Peninsula and Cambrian Coast, encompassing 35 beaches such as Dinas Dinlle, Aberdaron, Abersoch, Llanfairfechan, Pwllheli, Harlech, Shell Island and Barmouth, featuring some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the UK, every bit as breathtaking as the mountains and forests.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that the region is also known for its picturesque lakes and beautiful rivers. The region records an average rainfall of more than 2,500mm, making it the wettest place in the UK. Fortunately, most of this water is captured by Snowdonia’s 434 miles of rivers and more than 100 lakes including Llyn Tegid, Llyn Cwellyn, Llyn Padarn, Tal y Llyn, Llyn Llydaw, Llyn Dinas, and Llyn Ogwen.
The Glaslyn and Dwyryd rivers share the Mawddach estuary along with its tributaries the Wnion, the Eden, and the Dysynni, and flow out to sea at Cardigan Bay, in the south of Snowdonia. To the north, a series of rivers including the Conwy and the Ogwen empty into Conwy Bay whilst further west the Seont and Gwyfai rivers drain into the western end of the Menai Straits.
Wales features relatively few naturally occurring lakes. Most of those it does have are located in Snowdonia. Bala Lake is probably the best-known and it is also the largest natural waterbody in Walesis the most prominent, and other glacial troughs contain bodies of water such as Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris near Llanberis, and Tal-y-Llyn Lake south of Cadair Idris. Other glacial lakes include Llyn Dinas, Llyn Gwynant, and Llyn Cwellyn to the south and west of Snowdon, and Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Ogwen around the Carneddau. Smaller lakes, known as tarns, are also present in Snowdonia, including Llyn Llydaw, Glaslyn, and Llyn Du’r Arddu on Snowdon, Llyn Idwal in the Glyderau, and Llyn Cau near Cadair Idris.
Two man-made reservoirs, Llyn Celyn and Llyn Trawsfynydd, also capture some of Snowdonia’s above-average rainfall. In addition, several lakes have had their water levels artificially raised to gather excess water. These include Marchlyn Mawr reservoir and Llyn Stwlan where the natural tarns have been dammed as part of hydroelectric schemes.
Snowdonia is best known for its breathtaking mountains and rocky terrain, but it also has ample lower-level woodland areas. It is also home to over 36,400 hectares of woodland, which accounts for 17% of its total area. This area is a vital part of the Park’s ecosystem and serves as a sanctuary for many species of flora and fauna. The woodland in Eryri is a diverse mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, providing habitats for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. There are many species of wildflowers and mosses that thrive in the Park’s woodland.
Eryri’s forests are home to a rich variety of trees, including oaks, ashes, beeches, sycamores, birches, cherries, hazels, alders, rowans, hawthorns, and hollies. These woodlands are teeming with wildlife, from deer and foxes to badgers, otters, polecats, hares, feral goats, hedgehogs, bats, pine martins, and owls. Furthermore, the area is also renowned for its diverse selection of plants, fungi, mosses, lichens, and wildflowers. This makes Eryri a unique and special habitat for rare and endangered species.
For centuries, Snowdonia has drawn people to visit its rugged beauty, and this vintage travel poster brings the majestic mountain and its picturesque landscape to the forefront with an artistic flair. Thanks to the stylings of Charles H Baker, visitors to Snowdonia are forever enchanted by this postcard-perfect view and the magical beauty of this timeless landscape.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just planning your first trip to Snowdonia, this iconic poster is sure to draw you in. With its stunning scenery and timeless beauty, it’s easy to see why Charles H Baker’s Snowdonia travel poster has been admired for over 90 years.
Nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year to explore its towering peaks and breathtaking valleys, find tranquillity in its lesser-trodden paths, and discover its extensive recreation opportunities.
How long does it take to walk up Snowdon?