Lawrence’s birthplace in Tremadog, North Wales, is now known as Snowdon Lodge. Then it was called Gorffwysfa: Welsh for ‘resting place’.
Tremadog was only a mile from Porthmadog, the landing place for the ferry from Ireland, so perhaps the Lawrences rented the first house they could find when they arrived from across the Irish Sea. Years later, Ned’s birthplace would qualify him for a Welsh scholarship at Jesus College, Oxford. But when he was just over a year old, the family were on the move again, to Scotland. Today a Grade II listed building, Snowdon Lodge has been converted into a hostel for holiday groups.
A small plaque outside the house marks it as the birthplace of Lawrence of Arabia. The hostel owners are proud of their link with Lawrence, regularly holding events to mark significant occasions such as Lawrence’s birthdate.
Long-term plans include opening a small museum in the house, while figurative sculptor David Williams-Ellis – whose grandfather Martyn Williams-Ellis met Lawrence in Damascus – has been commissioned to produce a bronze sculpture of Lawrence to publically recognise his place of birth.
Further information regarding Snowdon Lodge can be found on their website.
https://snowdonlodge.co.uk/birthplace-of-lawrence-of-arabia/