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- Bryn Lupus Road, Llandudno, LL30 1SR
There’s something special about a place that carries its history in its name.
Nestled in the North Wales landscape, Maes Dolau Caravan Park may be a modern, welcoming place to stay — but its name tells a story that stretches back more than 800 years.
In modern Welsh, the word maes is often translated simply as “field”. We still hear it today in everyday language — maes parcio (car park), maes awyr (airfield), maes chwarae (playing field).
But historically, the meaning goes much deeper.
Research shows that the word maes originally referred to a flat, level piece of land dedicated to a particular purpose. Even further back, it described land that was attached to, or under the care of, a castle — set aside for a specific activity.
So already, we are not just talking about a field. We are talking about land with intention. Land with purpose.
At first glance, you might think dol means meadow or dale — and you’d be right. But Dolau is spelled slightly differently, and that small difference changes everything.
In ancient Welsh, dolau referred to a curved piece of wood — a bow.
And that is where the story becomes fascinating.
The Welsh were renowned across Europe for their mastery of the longbow. In fact, the Welsh are credited with developing the longbow around 1180. It became a formidable weapon and a defining symbol of Welsh military skill.
So when we put the two words together:
Maes – a dedicated, level field
Dolau – bows
The meaning becomes clear.
Maes Dolau likely translates to “the field of the bows” — an archery field.
Local historical research suggests that this land may have been dedicated to archers affiliated with the nearby castle — possibly linked to Llywelyn the Great (Llywelyn Fawr), who held power in the early 13th century.
The timing fits. The longbow was developed in the late 12th century, and by around 1213, Welsh forces were becoming highly skilled and prolific in its use.
It is believed that the land where Maes Dolau Caravan Park now sits may once have been used as a training ground for archers serving the castle.
An ancient archery field… now a peaceful caravan park.
There is something powerful about preserving original Welsh place names.
Across Wales, many historic names have been altered or simplified over time. When that happens, we lose small but important pieces of our story.
By retaining the name Maes Dolau, the owners of this beautiful caravan park have preserved a direct link to the 13th century. The name itself tells us how this land was once used, who may have stood here, and what role it played in Welsh history.
It reminds us that North Wales is layered with stories — stories of castles, princes, archers and resilience.
Today, visitors to Maes Dolau Caravan Park can enjoy a relaxing stay surrounded by countryside, while unknowingly standing on land that may once have echoed with the sound of longbows being drawn.
An ancient name. A modern caravan park.
And a story that still lives on in the landscape.