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Fairbourne sits on a low-lying salt marsh at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, positioned between the steep, gorse-covered foothills of the Snowdonia range and the grey shingle of the coast. The village was largely established in the late 19th century by Arthur McDougall, of the flour-milling family, who envisioned it as a seaside resort; this legacy is still visible in the straight, orderly layout of the streets. Today, the village is defined by its isolation and its unique transport links - the narrow-gauge steam railway runs to Barmouth Ferry terminal, while the iconic wooden Barmouth Bridge provides a pedestrian and rail link across the water. It is a quiet, level place where the elements dominate the landscape, and life is dictated by the tides and the proximity to the sea. While the scenery is undeniably dramatic, the village faces long-term geographical challenges due to its coastal position and rising sea levels, which remains a significant factor in any discussion about the settlement’s future.