Llanwrtyd Wells
Encyclopedia
Llanwrtyd Wells is a small town
in the parish
of Llanwrtyd
in Powys
, mid Wales
, lying on the River Irfon.
With a population of 601 people (United Kingdom Census 2001
), it claims to be the smallest town in Britain, although Fordwich
in Kent has a smaller population. 34% have some knowledge of Welsh
.
Llanwrtyd Wells grew as a spa town
, based around the Ffynon Droellwyd spring
, which still exists. The town was also known as an eisteddfod site, and is the site of both the World Bog Snorkelling Championships and the annual Man versus Horse Marathon
, as well as many other annual events.
The Abernant Lake Hotel was built on the site of an old farm, to cater for the many visitors, keen to take the spa waters. The hotel grounds include a five acre lake that was created in 1903 by damming an ox-bow of the River Irfon. During the Second World War, Abernant Lake Hotel was home to Bromsgrove School
evacuated from Worcestershire and between 1943 and 1945, to the Czechoslovak State School for refugee children. It remained a hotel until 2007 when it became home to a multi-activity centre for school groups and families.
The town is the home of Robin Kevan
who is also known as "Rob the Rubbish" and has become famous for cleaning up Britain's countryside.
was the largest woollen mill in the Llanidloes
area, employing over 250 workers at its peak. Reduced to an empty shell by a fire
in November 1889, the rebuilt factory remains in continuous operation since it was rebuilt in 1902. It is one of very few woollen mills still operating in Wales. According to the mill's website, visitors can experience "700 years of weaving history."
Spa fashion reached its peak in the Victorian era and many of the hotels in Llanwrtyd Wells date back to these times. The Belle Vue Hotel was built in 1843 and is the only purpose built hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Llanwrtyd
Llanwrtyd
Llanwrtyd – "Gwrtyd's church" – is a rural parish in Powys, mid-Wales, through which flows the River Irfon.The parish church of St David dates from the 11th century and is surrounded by scattered farms...
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, mid Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, lying on the River Irfon.
With a population of 601 people (United Kingdom Census 2001
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
), it claims to be the smallest town in Britain, although Fordwich
Fordwich
Fordwich is the smallest place in Britain with a town council, having a population of 351 recorded in the 2001 census. It lies in Kent, on the River Stour, northeast of Canterbury....
in Kent has a smaller population. 34% have some knowledge of Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
.
Llanwrtyd Wells grew as a spa town
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
, based around the Ffynon Droellwyd spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
, which still exists. The town was also known as an eisteddfod site, and is the site of both the World Bog Snorkelling Championships and the annual Man versus Horse Marathon
Man versus Horse Marathon
The Man versus Horse Marathon is an annual race over 22 miles, where runners compete against riders on horseback. The race — which is not technically a marathon, as the route does not meet the requisite distance — takes place in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells every June.-History of the race:The...
, as well as many other annual events.
The Abernant Lake Hotel was built on the site of an old farm, to cater for the many visitors, keen to take the spa waters. The hotel grounds include a five acre lake that was created in 1903 by damming an ox-bow of the River Irfon. During the Second World War, Abernant Lake Hotel was home to Bromsgrove School
Bromsgrove School
Bromsgrove School, founded in 1553, is a co-educational independent school in the Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, England. The school has a long history and many notable former pupils.-History:...
evacuated from Worcestershire and between 1943 and 1945, to the Czechoslovak State School for refugee children. It remained a hotel until 2007 when it became home to a multi-activity centre for school groups and families.
The town is the home of Robin Kevan
Robin Kevan
Robin Kevan , a retired social worker, is affectionately known as Rob the Rubbish in his home town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, for voluntarily clearing litter from the town's streets each day....
who is also known as "Rob the Rubbish" and has become famous for cleaning up Britain's countryside.
Cambrian Mill
Built in 1852, the Cambrian Mill factoryFactory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
was the largest woollen mill in the Llanidloes
Llanidloes
Llanidloes is a town along the A470 road and B4518 road in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire , Mid Wales.It is the first town on the River Severn...
area, employing over 250 workers at its peak. Reduced to an empty shell by a fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
in November 1889, the rebuilt factory remains in continuous operation since it was rebuilt in 1902. It is one of very few woollen mills still operating in Wales. According to the mill's website, visitors can experience "700 years of weaving history."
Spa
Llanwrtyd Wells was once a spa town following the discovery of waters with healing properties in 1732, by the Rev. Theophilus Evans. The wells were referred to as "Ffynnon Ddrewllyd" or Stinking Well because of the smell of hydrogen sulphide gas that was given off when you breathed the vapours.Spa fashion reached its peak in the Victorian era and many of the hotels in Llanwrtyd Wells date back to these times. The Belle Vue Hotel was built in 1843 and is the only purpose built hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells.