Llanwrtyd Wells
Coordinates: 52°06′19″N 3°38′28″W / 52.10539°N 3.64110°W
| Llanwrtyd Wells | |
| Llanwrtyd | |
 Llanwrtyd Wells
Llanwrtyd Wells shown within Powys |
|
| Population | 601 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SN877465 |
| - Cardiff | 65.1 miles (104.8 km) |
| - London | 198 miles (319 km) |
| Principal area | Powys |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LLANWRTYD WELLS |
| Postcode district | LD5 |
| Dialling code | 01591 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Brecon & Radnorshire |
| Welsh Assembly | Brecon & Radnorshire |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Powys | |
Llanwrtyd Wells (Welsh: Llanwrtyd) 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[2] 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.
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[edit] Cambrian Mill
Built in 1852, the Cambrian Mill factory was the largest woollen mill in the Llanidloes area, employing over 250 workers at its peak.[3] Reduced to an empty shell by a fire in November 1889, the rebuilt factory remains in continuous operation since it was rebuilt in 1902.[4] 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."
[edit] Spa
Llanwrtyd Wells was once a spa town following the discovery of waters with healing properties in 1732, by the Reverend Theophilus Evans. (In 1740 the curate appoined to Reverend Evans was Wales' most famous hymn-writer William Williams Pantycelyn.[5])
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[6] was built in 1843 and is the only purpose built hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells.
[edit] Town twinning
Llanwrtyd Wells is twinned with:
