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                   Database of the Telford milestones along the A5 road across Wales  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Compiled by R J Price

The Milestones are numbered from Holyhead and correspond to the number of miles from Holyhead.

In viewing the Telford Milestones along the A5 it is worth noting how important they were when they were placed, at a time when no motor vehicles existed. Passing them would have been the mail coaches, riders on horseback and all manner of horse drawn carriages as well as those on foot.  It is not hard to imagine today, as we pass these mostly highly visible milestones as we travel on the A5, the passengers in the stagecoaches glancing at the milestones as they ticked off the miles on what was said by many to be a very tedious journey. I guess that on many a stagecoach journey children played 'Spot The Milestone' just as some may well still do today.  One soon gets the hang of judging the distance of one mile between them as we search for them on our journey along the A5 that passes through some of the best scenery anywhere; the Vale of Llangollen, the rolling hills of Pentrefoelas, Betws-y-Coed, Swallow Falls, Ogwen Valley with the Idwal Slabs, Llyn Ogwen of Excalibur fame, Cwm Idwal with its magical Glacial Cirque and the Darwin Boulders, Nant Ffrancon, and of course the Menai Bridge which is the crowning glory of this route from the gates of Buckingham Palace to the Irish Mail Jetty in Holyhead - all down to that genius Thomas Telford.  I guess that there was often an unofficial stop at the viewing point for the Menai Bridge (milestone 21) which is, debatably, with the backdrop of the mountains of Snowdonia, the finest view in the whole of Great Britain.  

The mail coaches in particular travelled not only by day but also in the dark of night, aided only by oil lamps affixed to the coaches, and in all weathers; nothing could be allowed to delay the Mail which was the basis of all distant communication in those days.  The system was so well-organised and efficient that as a mail coach approached a toll gate its post-horn was sounded. Toll-keepers who delayed the mail by failing to open the gate promptly were fined.  Stagecoach travel was fraught with danger—not only from tragic accidents but also deliberate acts of sabotage, such as tree branches or farm gates placed in the road to trip the horses.  Vandalism is not just a modern day occurrence.  

An article cited later describes these events and these wanton acts of vandalism that occurred on these stage coach routes.    

There was also a real threat from highway robbers: hence the armed guards on the stagecoaches.

This article: 'Thomas Telford: The Road to Holyhead' by David Ackerley' provides concise background information on the A5 road and in particular the building of the Menai Bridge across the Menai Strait.   

See: How fast does a stagecoach  go?    and also  Royal Oak and the Mail Coaches

"Google Maps updates may alter Street View images. If a milestone isn’t visible at a given link, searching the immediate area should still reveal it, as all coordinates listed are verified."  

Of the 83 Telford milestones on the A5 across Wales, only one remains elusive — details below.

Tap on the blue links to access the locations on Google Maps and relating articles.

Codes used in this document:

 ☘️ = The milestone may be obscured by grass or shrubbery.  🏢 = Milestone is against a wall or recessed into a wall.

     <   >  =  Which side of the road when facing Holyhead.        ⚠️ =  Beware of danger from passing traffic.

     Car parking space at:   ⬅️ = Towards Holyhead from the Milestone.    ➡️ = Towards London from the Milestone.    

To physically visit a location, enter the given coordinates into your SatNav or GPS device.

No.	Area / Town / Village	GPS Location	Viewable on Google Maps?	Comment	Parking Point to access.	Inscription
0	Irish Mail Jetty (Admiralty Pier), Salt Island, Holyhead.	53.314224n 4.621237w	Yes, but not in Street View.	Area is now operated by Stena.	There is no public right of way to access. Seek permission.
0	Admiralty Arch, Salt Island, Holyhead. (Built in 1824)	53.314232n 4.624712w See also: This Link	Yes, but not in Street View.	Area is now operated by Stena.	There is no public right of way to access. Seek permission.	An inscription on the arch is in Welsh and Latin.
0	Holyhead	53.314414n 4.627745w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Park at location. This is a recent commemorative stone and not an original.
1	Holyhead, London Road	53.305697n 4.629071w	Yes >	Clearly visible   🏢	Parking space at location.	Holyhead 1 Mona 12 Bangor 24
2	Holyhead, Penrhos Beach	53.298589n 4.608140w  From the old OS map of 1842 - 1952	No	This milestone is also shown on the old OS map dated 1888-1913	This location is on the site occupied by the former Anglesey Aluminium Plant.	The quoted maps show that the milestone read:         Holyhead 2  Bangor 23
3	Stanley Embankment	53.291737n 4.587929w	Yes  >	Clearly visible   🏢	Parking space near by.	Holyhead 3 Mona 10 Bangor 22
3	Tollgate. Stanley Embankment, Holyhead	53.293205n 4.589428w Moved from original location	Yes	Easy clear access. Original Telford iron gate.	Parking space at location.  The gates were painted white to make them more easily seen at night.
3	Tollhouse, Stanley Embankment, Holyhead	53.292527n 4.588769w Moved from original loc.	Yes	Now a cafe. Old relating photos etc. therein.	Parking space at location.	(This Tollhouse has been moved from its original location)
4	Valley	53.284801n 4.565660w	Yes  >	Clearly visible   🏢	Street parking near by.	Holyhead 4 Mona 9 Bangor 21
5	Caergeiliog. (West of)	53.277579n 4.544689w	Yes	Vegetation often obscures.	Parking in village.  No pavement at location ⚠️	Holyhead 5 Mona 8 Bangor 20
5	Tollhouse, Caergeiliog	53.277093n 4.543798w	Yes  <	Easy Access.	Parking space near by.
6	Caergeiliog	53.276144n 4.521583w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	No pavement but is adjacent to two private driveways.	Holyhead 6 Mona 7 Bangor 19
7	Bryngwran (West of)	53.273613n 4.497973w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢  ☘️	600' from a T-Junction ➡️ No pavement. ⚠️	Holyhead 7 Mona 6 Bangor 18
8	Bryngwran Village	53.269052n 4.475016w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Street parking near by.	Holyhead 8 Mona 5 Bangor 17
9	Bryngwran. Junction with the B5112 road	53.264156n 4.452561w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢 ☘️	On a cross roads. No proper parking place.	Holyhead 9 Mona 4 Bangor 16
10	Gwalchmai (West of)	53.260176n 4.429797w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	300' from a driveway entrance ➡️.   No proper pavement. ⚠️	Holyhead 10 Mona 3 Bangor 15
11	Gwalchmai (East of)	53.258271n 4.405567w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢. Set against arched feature.	600' from a lay-by ➡️.             No proper pavement. ⚠️	Holyhead 11 Mona 2 Bangor 14
11	Tollhouse,  Gwalchmai	53.257724n 4.401752w	Yes  >	Clearly visible.	150' from a  lay-by ➡️	———
12	Mona Airfield	53.252774n 4.383593w	Yes.	Vegetation often obscures.	Driveway entrance 250' ⬅️ No proper pavement.	Holyhead 12 Mona 1  Bangor 13
13	Mona	53.248295n 4.360810w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Small pull-in space opposite. No pavement. ⚠️	? Holyhead 13 Mona 0 Bangor 12.
13	Mona Staging Inn	53.247950n 4.361448w	Yes  <	Telford designed major Staging Inn. 1821.		Check out uniquepropertybulletin for details. May still be For Sale!
14	Rhostrehwfa	53.243715n 4.339514w	Yes  >	Clearly visible. 🏢  ☘️?	650' from a private driveway ⬅️ No proper pavement. ⚠️	Holyhead 14 Mona 1 Bangor 11
15	Llangefni turn off	53.237072n 4.321823w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢 ☘️?	750' from a pull-in ➡️. No pavement.	Holyhead 15 Mona 2 Bangor 10
16	Pentre Berw (West Of)	53.230479n 4.300346w	Yes  >	Clearly visible  🏢	60' from a T-junction ⬅️. No pavement. Recessed into  wall.	Holyhead 16 Mona 3 Bangor 9
17	Gaerwen	53.223012n 4.280259w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Street parking in village.	Holyhead 17 Mona 4 Bangor 8
18	Gaerwen (East of)	53.222451n 4.256143w	Yes  >	Against wall with an arch feature 🏢	150' from a gateway pull-in ⬅️.   No pavement.	Holyhead 18 Mona 5 Bangor 7
19	Star (Llanfairpwll)	53.223306n 4.232391w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	On a T-junction and adjacent to a pull-in bus stop ⬅️	Holyhead 19 Mona 6 Bangor 6
20	Llanfairpwllwgwyngyll	53.221375n 4.208444w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Street parking. Easy access.	Holyhead 20 Mona 7 Bangor 5
21	Menai Bridge (by viewing lay-by)	53.222006n 4.185300w	Yes  >	Clearly visible ☘️	300' from lay-by ➡️ . Easy access on pavement.	Holyhead 21 Mona 8 Bangor 4
21	Tollhouse, Llanfairpwll. Llanfair Gate.	53.220578n 4.201000w	Yes  <	Clearly visible.	Street parking near by. Easy access on pavement.	See below for complete text.
22	Menai Bridge	53.223422n 4.165930w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	At the gateway to St Mary's Church. Parking space near-by.	Holyhead 22 Mona 9 Bangor 3
23	Tollhouse on the Menai Bridge	53.218640n 4.161609w	Yes  <	Clearly visible.	Mainland end of the Menai Bridge structure.	———
23	Tollgate. Menai Bridge. The original Telford iron gate.	53.218575n 4.161982w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible	Mainland end of the Menai Bridge structure.
23	Upper Bangor	53.223752n 4.149379w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢. Set into a curved stone wall.	Private driveways nearby.	Holyhead 23 Mona 10 Bangor 2
24	Bangor (near train station)	53.224627n 4.135527w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Parking at train station.	Holyhead 24 Mona 11 Bangor 1
25	Bangor, High Street (Junction with William St.)	53.229736n 4.118817w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Recessed into stone wall. Street parking adjacent.	Holyhead 25 Mona 12 C.Curig 14M 3F
26	Bangor, Maesgeirchen	53.220614n 4.107099w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	On a T-junction. Pavement access.	Holyhead 26 Bangor 1 C.Curig 13M 3F
27	Tal-y-Bont	53.207838n 4.097757w Park car at : 53.206694n 4.096867w	Not covered in Street View. <🔴	Clearly visible ☘️ Photo. Probably the best stone of them all to see.	Parking area 450' ➡️ There is a Staging Alcove directly opposite the milestone.	Holyhead 27 Bangor 2 C.Curig 12M 3F
28	Tregarth,  Ogwen Bridge	53.197810n 4.084446w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	🏢 Opening to a parking area 150' ⬅️.  Pavement.	Holyhead 28 Bangor 3 C.Curig 11M 3F
29	Bethesda (West of)	53.185783n 4.074400w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Private driveway 180' ➡️	Holyhead 29 Bangor 4 C.Curig 10M 3F
30	Bethesda	53.176416n 4.057447w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Street parking.	Holyhead 30 Bangor 5 C.Curig 9M 3F
31	Bethesda (East Of)	53.165140n 4.047457w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Private driveway 500' ⬅️	Holyhead 31 Bangor 6 C.Curig 8M 3F
32	Bethesda  (East Of)	53.151708n 4.040054w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Small pull-in at gateway to field 1500' ➡️	Holyhead 32 Bangor 7 C.Curig 7M 3F
33	Nant Ffrancon	53.139105n 4.028786w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Lay-by 550' ⬅️	Holyhead 33 Bangor 8 C.Curig 6M 3F
34	Pen-y-Benglog	53.125634n 4.020901w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Lay-by 250' ➡️	Holyhead 34 Bangor 9 C.Curig 5M 3F
35	Llyn Ogwen	53.122751n 3.999805w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Pavement. Lay-by opposite.	Holyhead 35 Bangor 10 C.Curig 4M 3F
36	Nant y Benglog. West	53.124909n 3.976918w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Driveway opposite.	Holyhead 36 Bangor 11 C.Curig 3M 3F
37	Nant y Benglog. East	53.122071n 3.953352w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Narrow pavement. Private driveway / pull-in 450'⬅️	Holyhead 37 Bangor 12 C.Curig 2M 3F
38	Capel Curig (West of)	53.116651n 3.931199w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Narrow pavement. Private driveway 250' ➡️	Holyhead 38 Bangor 13 C.Curig 1M 3F
39	Capel Curig (North of)	53.109448n 3.912024w	Yes  <	Clearly visible 🏢	Narrow Pavement. Private driveway 500' ⬅️	Holyhead 39 Bangor 14 C.Curig 3 Furlongs
40	Capel Curig (East of)	53.100528N 3.898511w	Yes  >	Clearly vyisible ☘️	Pavement. 400' to Cobden's Hotel carpark ➡️	Holyhead 40  C.Curig 5 Furlongs Cernioge 13M 6F
41	Capel Curig. Pont Cyfyng	53.097642n 3.879558w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Narrow pavement. Private driveway 950' ➡️	Holyhead 41 C.Curig 1M 3 F Cernioge 12M 6F
42	Ugly House	53.099375n 3.858130w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Park at Ugly House 550' ⬅️	Holyhead 42 C.Curig 2M 5F Cernioge 11M 6F
43	Pentre Du	53.101013n 3.836085w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Park opposite at road to forest.	Holyhead 43 C.Curig 3M 5F Cernioge 10M 6F
44	Betws y Coed (West of)	53.093238n 3.817527w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Park opposite on Ffordd Gethin.	Holyhead 44 C.Curig 4M-5F Cernioge 9M 6F
45	Betws-y-Coed	53.088093n 3.798956w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Driveway 200' ➡️	Holy-Head 45 C Curig 5M-5F Cernioge 8M-6F
46	Fairy Glen	53.075528n 3.791476w	Yes  >	🏢 ☘️ often obscured	Driveway 100' ⬅️. Narrow pavement on bend. ⚠️	Holy-Head 46 C Curig 6M-5F Cernioge 7M-6F
47	Conwy Falls	53.065789n 3.775672w	Yes  >	☘️	Car park opposite. No pavement. ⚠️	Holy-Head 47 C Curig 7M-5F Cernioge 6M-6F
48	Rhydlanfair	53.058703n 3.756061w	Yes  >	☘️ ☘️	Private driveway 150' ➡️. No pavement. ⚠️	Holy-Head 48 C Curig 8M-5F Cernioge 5M-6F
49	Glan Conwy (Betws-y-Coed)	53.051218n 3.739644w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Gateway pull-in opposite 100' ⬅️. No pavement. ⚠️	Holy-Head 49 C Curig 9M-5F Cernioge 4M-6F
50	Pentrefoelas (West of)	53.046466n 3.719207w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	Driveway pull-in 200' ➡️ Pavement.	Holy-Head 50 C Curig 10M-5F Cernioge 3M-6F
51	Pentrefoelas (Aber Pwll)	53.047681n 3.695361w	Yes  >	☘️ ☘️	1000' to a T-Junction ⬅️ Parking difficult? Pavement.	Holy-Head 51 C Curig 11M-5F Cernioge 2M-6F
52	Pentrefoelas (East of)	53.048781n 3.671349w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢	500' to a pull-in ➡️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 52 C Curig 12M-5F Cernioge 1M-6F
53	Cernioge	53.044009n 3.650220w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢 Note the adjacent alcove.	120' to a (private?) pull-in ⬅️ Pavement,	Holy-Head 53 C.Curig 13M-5F Cernioge 0M-6F
53	Cernioge Staging Inn	53.039687n 3.633074w	Yes  <	See:  Cernioge		———
54	Pentrefoelas, Cernioge	53.040078n 3.627387w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢. Recessed into wall.	700' to a driveway entrance ➡️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 54  Cernioge 2 Furlongs Corwen 12M 6F
55	Pentrefoelas (Glaslyn)	53.037318n 3.603783w	Yes  >	Clearly visible	200' to a driveway entrance ⬅️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 55  Cernioge 1M 2F Corwen 11M 6F
56	Cerrigydrudion (West of)	53.031364n 3.581825w	Yes  >	Clearly visible ☘️ ?	Park at Dragonfly Café. ⬅️. Entrance is just 70' away.	Holy-Head 56  Cernioge 2M 2F   Corwen 10M 6F
57	Cerrigydrudion	53.023610n 3.562583w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢Recessed into a low wall.	Park opposite at café.  (Plate has been stolen?)	Holy-Head 57  Cernioge 3M 2F Corwen 9M 6F
58	Cerrigydrudion (East of)	53.010412n 3.553493w	Yes  >	Clear, but risky walk. ☘️ ?	500' to a driveway ⬅️. There is no pavement here on this fast stretch of road. ⚠️	Holy-Head 58 Cernioge 4M 2F   Corwen 8M 6F
59	Cerrigydrudion (South East of)	53.001444n 3.537594w	Yes  >	Clearly visible. 🏢 ☘️? Recessed into a low wall.	250' to a driveway ⬅️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 59 Cernioge 5M 2F   Corwen 7M 6F
60	Cerrigydrudion (South East of)	52.993981n 3.517396w	Yes  >	Clear, but risky walk. ☘️ Vegetation may obscure.	350' to a driveway. There is no pavement here on this fast stretch of road. ⚠️	Holy-Head 60 Cernioge 6M 2F   Corwen 6M 6F
61	Corwen, Ty-Nant	52.986664n 3.497291w	Yes >	Set back into bushes.	52.987197n 3.503472w is the start point of the path to access the bypassed portion of the A5. Turn off at 52.989533n 3.504602w	Holy-Head 61  Cernioge 7M 2F   Corwen 5M 6F
62	Maerdy (West of)	52.991693n 3.478198w	Yes  >	Clearly visible 🏢 ☘️	1100' to a T-junction ⬅️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 62  Cernioge 8M 2F   Corwen 4M 6F
63	Maerdy (East of)	52.984804n 3.459539w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	90' to a gateway pull-in ⬅️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 63 Cernioge 9M 2F   Corwen 3M 6F
64	Druid	52.980591n 3.437975w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	1600' to parking spot ➡️. Pavement. Easy safe walk.	Holy-Head 64 Cernioge 10M 2F   Corwen 2M 6F
65	Tollgate. Corwen (West of)	52.981966n 3.412841w	Yes	Appears to be an original Telford Iron Gate	Near to a T-junction ⬅️	———
65	Corwen (West of)	52.981985n 3.412371w	Yes >	Clearly visible 🏢	Near to a T-junction ⬅️ and adjacent to the Telford Gate.	Holy-Head 65 Cernioge 11M 2F   Corwen 1M 6F
66	Corwen, Nant y Cefn	52.980624n 3.391157w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible ☘️	150' to a gateway ⬅️. Pavement. Easy safe walk.	Holy-Head 66 Cernioge 12M 2F   Corwen 0M 6F
67	Corwen	52.979917n 3.368772w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	Street parking nearby. Easy  safe walk.	Holy-Head 67 Corwen 2 Furlong Llangollen 9M 6F
68	Nant Llechog	52.980387n 3.344829w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	300' to a gateway ➡️. Pavement. Easy safe walk.	Holy-Head 68 Corwen 1M 2F   Llangollen 8M 6F
69	Llidiart y Nant (West of)	52.978769n 3.321818w	Yes  <	Visible.  ☘️	This milestone is in a lay-by but is Often obscured by vegetation	Holy-Head 69 Corwen 2M 2F   Llangollen 7M 6F
70	Llidiart y Parc (East of)	52.977207n 3.299129w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	Street parking adjacent.	Holy-Head 70 Corwen 3M 2F   Llangollen 6M 6F
71	Staging Inn, Berwyn Arms	52.975159n 3.273667w	Yes   >	Berwyn Arms Link	Coaching Inn. Grade 2 listed. Established 1359.	———
71	Glyndyfrdwy (West of)	52.975219n 3.275391w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢  ☘️?	200' to parking at Berwyn Arms. est. 1359.   ➡️	Holy-Head 71 Corwen 4M 2F   Llangollen 5M 6F
72	Glyndyfrdwy	52.972173n 3.252620w	Yes  >	Easy access . ☘️ ☘️	Adjacent to a driveway entrance ⬅️	Holy-Head 72 Corwen 5M 2F   Llangollen 4M 6F
73	Glyndyfrdwy (East of)	52.971154n 3.228559w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible 🏢	This milestone is in a lay-by.	Holy-Head 73 Corwen 6M-2F Llangollen 3M-6F
73	Tollhouse,  Glyndyfrdwy	52.971232n 3.226489w	Yes  <		Lay-by 400' ⬅️	———
74	Llantysilio (Hairpin Bend)	52.980650n 3.218998w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢 Recessed into a low wall.	750' from a lay-by ➡️. Pavement.	Holy-Head 74 Corwen 7M-2F Llangollen 2M-6F
75	Chain Bridge, Llantysilio (See Note Below)	52.979850n 3.197611w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	T-junction ⬅️ and parking 200' Pavement.	Holy-Head 75 Corwen 8M-2F Llangollen 1M-6F
76	Llangollen, (North West of)	52.976354n 3.181063w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	Adjacent parking.	Holy-Head 76 Corwen 9M-2F Llangollen 0M-6F
77	Llangollen	52.968767n 3.164007w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	Adjacent parking. Read the sign above the adjacent gate.	Holy-Head 77   Llangollen 2F    Chirk B 6M  5F
78	Llangollen (East of)	52.968577n 3.141110w	Yes  >	Clearly Visible 🏢	180' to driveway entrance ⬅️ Pavement.	Holy-Head 78 Llangollen 1M 2F Chirk B 5M 5F
79	Llangollen - Froncysyllte mid way.	52.962252n 3.121056w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible 🏢	250' to lay-by ⬅️ Pavement	Holy-Head 79 Llangollen 2M 2F Chirk B 4M 5F
80	Froncysyllte (West of)	52.961513n 3.097377w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible 🏢  ☘️ Set against a stone arch.	150' to driveway entrance ⬅️ Pavement.	Holy-Head 80 Llangollen 3M 2F Chirk B 3M 5F
81	Froncysyllte (East of)	52.960688n 3.076420w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible 🏢	300' to a T-junction ➡️	H.Head 81 Llangollen 4M 2F Chirk B  2M 5F
82	Chirk (North of)	52.950920n 3.061088w	Yes <	Clearly Visible 🏢	Gateway pull-in ⬅️ 50'	H.Head 82 Llangollen 5M 2F Chirk B  1M 5F
83	Chirk (First stone in Wales)	52.935692n 3.057278w	Yes  <	Clearly Visible 🏢  ☘️ but latest Google Earth image does not show.	Street parking opposite.	H.Head 83 Llangollen 6M 2F Chirk B  0M 5F
84	Chirk Bank. Over the border in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿	52.926431n 3.049371w	Yes  <	Easy access. Freestanding in parking space.	Street parking close by.	Holy-Head 84-M Salop 22M-6F
	Marble Arch. Start point of the A5 in London.	Now at:  51.513191n 0.158896w	Yes	Originally at the entrance to Buckingham Palace.	Was relocated from just outside Buckingham Palace 1847-1851.	Check out interesting facts on The Story of Marble Arch and also 'Marble Arch Details'

Note Regarding Software: This database was compiled using an Apple iPad and the PAGES app.  Opening the blue text links should take you to the respective location on Google Maps.  If you experience problems in opening these links it is likely to be because you are not running the latest versions of the software.  If necessary, the respective GPS coordinates can be copied and entered into Google Maps or Google Earth instead. 

All links in the document have been checked and are functioning correctly at the time of issue.

The software versions used are as follows:  

iPad 5th Generation running iOS version 14.4.2               PAGES Version 5.1(6569)          Google Maps Version (25.20.0)

This link gives details and photos of the Royal Mail Stagecoaches:  Mail Coaches in the U.K. in the 1700 and 1800s (Geriwalton.com)

General Notes:

Re Milestone No.21, Tollhouse Charges Board at  Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch in

 Anglesey:

                                                                                      Tolls to be taken at LLANFAIR GATE:

                                    For every Horse, Mule or other Cattle, drawing any Coach or other Carriages, with springs, the sum of    4d. 

                                    For every Horse, Mule or other Beast or Cattle, drawing any Waggon, Cart, or other such Carriage, 

                                            not employed solely in carrying or going empty to fetch Lime for manure the sum of                         3d. 

                                    For every Horse, Mule or other Beast or Cattle. drawing any Waggon, Cart, or other such Carriage, 

                                            employed solely in carrying or going empty to fetch Lime for manure the sum of                            1½d. 

                                    For every Horse, Mule or Ass laden or unladen, and not drawing, the sum of                                              1d.

                                    For every Drove of Oxen, Cows or other neat Cattle per score, the sum of                                                 10d.

                                    For every Drove of Calves, Sheep, Lambs or pigs per score, the sum of                                                       5d. 

                     For every Horse, Mule or other Beast drawing any Waggon or Cart the Wheels being less than 3 inches 

                     breadth or having Wheels with Tires fastened with Nails projecting and not countersunk to pay double Toll.

                                                                                  A Ticket taken here clears Carnedd Du Bar.               (Link to photo)

Re Milestone No. 2 -  This is the only milestone in this list that I have failed to find.  It was almost certainly removed from its place when the Anglesey Aluminium Plant (owned by Rio Tinto) was constructed around 1970.  Its location, estimated from the 1888-1913 OS map, places it where buildings now stand. It is highly unlikely that the stone was simply discarded - someone must know what happened to it. 

Each Telford milestone originally measured around six feet in length and weighed over 250 pounds. Due to extensive road resurfacing since they were placed, almost two hundred years ago, the resulting rise of the ground level makes them now appear to be much smaller.   No.27 at Tal-y-Bont is perhaps the best one to see to get an impression of their original appearance and size; it still stands at 4' 6” above ground level.  Imperial units are used throughout this document as this fits with the time period in history and also with the  standard units for travel and road signs in the UK still being 'Miles'.  When discussing Britain's historical routes, 'miles' feel far more appropriate than the metric kilometre, especially given the legacy of Roman roads,  Roman Miles  - 1,000 paces - 'Mille Passus' - origin of the word mile, and Roman milestones, some of which still exist in Wales.  

All records consulted suggest that there never was a milestone at the zero point in Holyhead. Stepping back one mile from milestone No.1 in London Road, along the route of the original road, takes us exactly to the mid point of the Irish Mail Jetty just where the mail would have been transferred to the ships under armed guard. This is the logical point zero. On the 1888-1913 OS map there is no milestone shown in this area which in itself suggests that there never was one.

Preliminary searches of other roads in North Wales indicate poor survival rates for our milestones, although many are undoubtedly concealed in dense roadside vegetation. An exception is the A545 Menai Bridge to Beaumaris road, where all five milestones are visible. On the Welsh portion of the A5 the milestones are pleasingly all there to be seen, except for No.2, as already mentioned.

This compilation of the milestones does not take into account the fact that some of the milestones may not be the originals, as are the recessed cast iron plates which display the place names and distances. A Welsh government project some years back recognised the historical importance of these milestones and undertook work to preserve/protect them, but did they forget or overlook our elusive No 2? Anglesey County Council seem to have failed in their duty to preserve the milestone  - what of the mandatory site inspections and 'building regulation approval' during construction of the Anglesey Aluminium buildings? However, maybe the Grade 2 protection was not in force at the time the aluminium plant was being constructed.

Note re Milestone No. 75:    Mounted on the wall to the right of the entrance to the Corn Mill in Llangollen (52.970734°N 3.171137°W) is what appears to be the original cast iron plate from Milestone No. 75.  (Thanks to Steve and Clare for spotting it during their visit there and letting me know of its existence.)  The original milestone (see 52.979850n 3.197611w) bears visible damage, showing where the stone was broken to insert a pry bar behind the cast iron plate for  removal.  The plates were inset into the stones to make them more difficult to remove.  Steel pegs or nails secured the plates, likely driven into lead-sleeved holes.  Who stole the original plate and mounted it on the wall at the Corn Mill?  When did this happen?  Vandals are by no means just a modern day blight.

Alcoves along the A5:

Associated with the A5 and Thomas Telford are approximately 300 Alcoves (Storage Recesses) that were used for storing road repair materials such as stones, gravel and grit; the grit also being available to spread on snow/ice during severe weather  -  particularly relevant on the likes of the Nant Ffrancon pass, where some fine examples can be seen. These alcoves can easily be seen almost anywhere along the route. The alcoves are either rectangular, about 16' x 8'  (example at 53.263091n 4.448941w),  or semi-circular, about 16' wide (example at 53.138031n 4.028277w).  It is interesting to note that these alcoves were located on the side of the road that gave them maximum sunlight, thus keeping the gravel drier and less likely to get frozen.

Also associated with the A5 Trunk Road and the milestones are many tollhouses, staging posts and inns. Only a few have been included here as examples.  Many of the tollhouses have been destroyed but how wonderful it is that all the ones in Anglesey survive.  An indication of the scale of the organisation and logistics needed to support the mail service from London to Holyhead, a journey that took twenty seven hours and was 252 miles long, is that the teams of four horses were changed at approximately every twelve miles. So in round figures there were twenty staging posts along the route, each having eight horses (not counting standbys and young trainee horses) making a total of 160 horses.  Each mail coach would therefore utilise eighty horses on one journey from London to holyhead.

The teams of horses typically worked back and forth between just two stabling points and were rested for twenty-four hours before being hitched up to a coach returning in the opposite direction. The change-over is recorded as being completed in just two minutes - such was the organisation and efficiency of this amazing undertaking; compare to the way today's grand prix teams change a set of wheels on racing cars.  The horses seem to have carried out their duty with impeccable determination and pride, knowing that a good meal and a comfy bed awaited them at their destination. The mail coaches did not stop at the toll points; the guard on the coach sounded a horn (post horn) to alert the toll keeper of their approach and to open the gate. Failure to open the gate, thus causing the coach to slow down or stop would incur the toll keeper a fine.  The guard was armed with a Blunderbuss Pistol complete with a spring loaded Bayonet, and two further Flintlock Pistols. Open this link for some interesting facts from the Postal Museum.

The A5 milestones were designed by Thomas Telford and made from limestone quarried from near Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, the same source as some of the stone used in constructing both bridges across the Menai Strait and Admiralty Arch on Salt Island, Holyhead.  Some sources state that the stone for the Menai bridges came from a site in Penmon.

The remarkable survival rate of these milestones is undoubtedly due to the precision of Thomas Telford’s design, specifications, and supervision—just as with all his other engineering masterpieces.  The title of ”Colossus of Roads” which his friends bestowed upon him is certainly very fitting. but even that title falls short of what he deserves since he was also a master of canal building with the Froncysyllte Aqueduct, Caledonian Canal and the Göta Canal in Sweden being just a few examples of his work. His suspension bridges over the Menai Strait and the Conwy Estuary were groundbreaking—the first of their kind in the world, setting a new standard for engineering for years to come.

In compiling this list and searching for other Milestones not on the A5 it becomes clear that there should be a standardised way of marking the location of these milestones on the actual kerb stone or gutter of the road, such as a 6” square in a suitable colour; this would be particularly useful out in the rural areas where vegetation often obscures these milestones, particularly during the summer months.  This would be invaluable in alerting those using heavy machinery for grass and hedge cutting, preventing the kind of damage already visible on many of the remaining milestones.  -  A damaged milestone on the A470 at the Waterloo Bridge in Betws-y-Coed: (53.0862051, -3.7945905)

Historic milestones are protected by law but ways of preventing them from becoming damaged by machinery and road works is clearly lacking.  Maybe the best way to preserve the stones  and reduce damage is to concrete a square yard or so around the stones where they now sit in grass and vegetation.  

This project began with a simple question after spotting Milestone No. 45 in Betws-y-Coed—were there others like it?Using an Ordnance Survey Map it showed the location of many of the milestones and using Google Earth and Google Maps it was possible to locate most of them.  Having completed this exercise on the A5 the same procedure was applied to other roads, mainly in Wales, but also Scotland and England.  The key to finding many of them was to use old Victorian Ordnance Survey maps.

If this document has whetted your appetite for the facts about our ancient roads I highly recommend the book: "The Life of Thomas Telford; civil engineer with an introductory history of roads and travelling in Great Britain" by Samuel Smiles.

This document may be freely used and copied towards promoting interest in, and the preservation of our historic milestones.  It would be appreciated if this work is used in further work or documents that it be credited to me as the original creator, R J Price.  I believe the layout and presentation to be superior in that it utilises the latest technology to accurately record the exact locations in GPS decimal degree coordinates rather than the usual Ordnance Survey Grid which is pretty useless in respect of accuracy. It is hoped that others will use this format to add their input and effort to finding and recording the many milestones across the land. It is said that there are just two in the Elan Valley; can you find more?  This link is a good starting point: OS map  of Wales  1888 - 1915.

Please note that Google Maps now allows one to add photos in Street View, and many of our milestones are deserving of a decent photograph to supplement the often poor quality images in Street View.  If you have good photos of any milestones, including the ones above, please add them to Google Maps

See:  Telford's Irish Mail Road Tour   https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=telford-s-irish-mail-road-tour

Link to Daily Post article:   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mysterious-loss-historic-road-feature-31759998