Vintage 1938 Welsh Seaside Hotels Travel Ad – Penmaenmawr, Prestatyn, Dolgelley

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Item ID: 297241286762
eBay Seller ID: britishfareasttraders
eBay Store Link: View this item
Category: Collectables:Paper & Ephemera:Ephemera:1901-1950
Condition: In decent condition. Please check our images.

Vintage 1938 Welsh Seaside Hotels Travel Ad – Penmaenmawr, Prestatyn, Dolgelley

An original 1938 tourism ephemera from the Overseas Daily Mail featuring iconic North Wales destinations–perfect for collectors of British travel history and pre-war seaside culture.

Measurements: approx. 11 1/8 x 7 7/8 inches
Dates: n/a
Condition: In decent condition, please see images. 
Internal notes: QC passed

Step into the scenic heart of 1930s Wales, where mountain air meets coastal breeze, and the spirit of leisure hums through every hotel and hillside. This beautifully composed vintage advertisement captures the golden era of Welsh holidaymaking, beckoning readers with its bold “A Welcome to Wales” banner. Imagine the excitement of Victorian and Edwardian travellers planning their stay at Penmaenmawr, Llandudno’s Old Abbey Hotel, or the charming Saracen’s Hotel in Druid’s Valley. Each location evokes the timeless romance of North Wales–where landscape, language, and local character blend to create unforgettable getaways.

This historic piece, printed in the 26 March 1938 issue of the Overseas Daily Mail, serves as both an advertisement and a cultural snapshot. Featuring over nine distinct Welsh hotels and resorts–from the sandy shores of Prestatyn to the serene lanes of Llanrwst and Dolgelley–it showcases the hospitality ideals of the time: fresh air, electric lights, sea views, and rich mountain scenery. Each hotel listing includes original typography, period photographs, and poetic claims of comfort, making this an important primary source for travel historians and design collectors.

To preserve such a document is to preserve a legacy. As Welsh tourism grew between the wars, adverts like this shaped how Britons–and the world–imagined the perfect holiday. Whether added to a research archive, displayed in a travel-themed collection, or gifted to a lover of Welsh history, this piece speaks to a nostalgic, unhurried vision of Britain’s regional charm. It’s a gentle reminder of our role as custodians of the past.