Bala is a small market town in the county of Gwynedd, Wales. It has a population of approximately two thousand people and was once a district in the historic county called Merionethshire. The name of the town is formally known as Y Bala. The town is a fairly popular tourist destination in spite of its small size and having only one main street. During the summer months, it can be particularly busy.
Bala is famous for having one of the highest percentages of Welsh speakers in Wales with approximately 80% speaking the language fluently and as their first language.
The town had a notable history in the manufacture of a number of things including clubs, stockings and flannel. It is believed to the town was established on the site of a Roman camp. The town also has a grammar school which dates back from the early eighteenth century. The name of the town means an outflow from a lake, which is appropriate since the town is situated on a lake of the same name. This lake is the largest in Wales.
Among some of the attractions and Bala and the surrounding area are a number of historic sites and the Great Western Railway. There is also a yearly music festival held in the town itself which focuses especially on local folk music. Other popular pastimes and the area and things such as white water kayaking amongst other water sports which take part in the lake.
Although not a great deal more than a single main street, the town has an abundance of traditional shops and a choice of pubs and accommodation options. It is a popular place for travelers to stop for a night or two on their way to the coast. The town also has a tourist information office.