Criccieth Festival had been running for five years, before the series of David Lloyd Lectures was introduced in 1992. In that year, the newly created garden of Highgate, Lloyd George's boyhood home at Llanystumdwy, was formally opened by David Bellamy, Director of the Conservation Foundation, a well-known writer and broadcaster on countryside subjects. His Lecture was entitled, "Cnefin. The Place in which I would like to Live".

The inaugeral lecture was given at Capel Moriah (above left) Llanystumdwy, followed by a Reception in the Village Hall. Capel Moriah stands on the opposite side of the road to Highgate (centre) and the Lloyd George Museum (right). Capel Moriah was built to replace an earlier Chapel, which had been destroyed by fire. It was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, the owner and inspiration behind Portmeirion. All the subsequent Lectures have taken place during Criccieth Festival and continue to be held at Capel Moriah.

One of the original group of three who piloted the Lecture series was Professor Kenneth Morgan, now Lord Morgan of Aberdyfi, formerly Principal of the University of Wales, Bangor, University of Wales, Aberystwyth and a Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales. Another was Sir Jeremy Chance, Bt., a member of the Festival Executive Committee. The late Bryn Parry, then Chief Archivist at Caernarfon, represented Gwynedd Council, which has acted in partnership with the Criccieth Arts Association in promoting, funding and publishing the Lectures. Other regular supporters have been the late Dr. William R P George and his family.

The distinction gained by the Lectures can be judged by the standing of those who have given them over the years from 1992 to the present:

1992 "Cnefin. The Place in which I would like to Live" Professor David J. Bellamy well-known botanist, ecologist and conservationist. Writer and broadcaster.

1993 "Lloyd George and the Modern World" Professor Kenneth O. Morgan D.Litt. FBA Former principal, University Colleges of Wales, Bangor and Aberystwyth. Vice Chancellor, University of Wales 1993. Author at that time of twenty books, including several on the career of David Lloyd George. Official biographer of Lord Callaghan of Cardiff.

1995 "Lloyd George's Place in the Gallery of Fifty British Prime Ministers" Roy Jenkins O.M., P.C. (the late Lord Jenkins of Hillhead). Politician, biographer. Former Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer. First Leader of the Social Democratic Party. President, European Commission 1977-1981. Chancellor University of Oxford.

1996 "Lloyd George and Ireland. How Ireland came to be Divided" Dr. Garrett FitzGerald First Minister, Republic of Ireland 1982-1987. Signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement with Margaret Thatcher in 1985.

1997 "Lloyd George: The Last Best Hope of the British Empire" John Grigg
Historian, journalist. Member of the Liberal Democratic Party. Lloyd George's principal biographer.

1998 "A Civil Revolution" Lord Williams of Mostyn QC Barrister (1944-2003). Pro-Chancellor, University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Former Minisiter of State, Home Office.

1999 "Lloyd George's Disestablishment Legacy: Reaching for Egalitarianism" Rabbi Julia Neuberger Chief Executive, the King's Fund. Member, General Medical and Medical Research Councils. Fellow, Harvard University Medical School 1991-1992. Chancellor, University of Ulster since 1994.

2000 "Old Radicalism for a new Century" Rt. Hon. Paddy Ashdown MP,
later Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, Leader Liberal Democratic Party (His knighthood was announced on the day his lecture was given!)

2001 "The Welsh Landed Class in the age of Lloyd George" Dr. John Davies
Historian, author. Honorary Professor of History and Welsh History, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

2002 "The Evolution of Devolution" Lord Carlile of Berriew QC Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomery 1983-1987. Leader Liberal Democratic Party in Wales 1992-1997

2004 "One of a Kind" Jan Morris Author. Hon. D.Litt University of Wales, Glamorgan. Hon. Fellow Christchurch, Oxford, University of Wales Bangor and Aberystwyth.

2005 "An Academic Life" Sir John Meurig Thomas Scientist, author, broadcaster. Director, Royal Institution of Great Britain 1986-1991. Member of the Gorsedd of Bards

2006 "The Contribution of Welsh Lawyers" The Rt. Hon. Lord Morris of Aberavon Secretary of State for Wales, 1974-1979. Chancellor, University of Glamorgan. Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed.

2007 Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby