Part of the historic county of Montgomeryshire (Sir Drefaldwyn) from 1536 to 1974, it lies on the Afon Dyfi and was once the home of a number of riverside quays, including Cei Ward and Y Bwtri.

The site of Cei Ward lies alongside the A487 opposite Plas Llugwy, where the road, railway and river run close together.

Y Bwtri lay on the bend of the river opposite Pennal and was the site of a shipyard.

The narrow gauge Corris, Machynlleth & River Dovey Tramroad (opened 1859) carried slate from the quarries around Corris and Aberllefenni to Morben, where it was loaded into ships for onward shipment.

[1] Inward goods offloaded at Morben included lime and coal.