Skenfrith
Coordinates: 51°52′37″N 2°47′17″W / 51.877°N 2.788°W
| Skenfrith | |
| Welsh: Ynysgynwraidd | |
 Skenfrith from the air, showing the castle and River Monnow |
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 Skenfrith
Skenfrith shown within Monmouthshire |
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| OS grid reference | SO457201 |
|---|---|
| Principal area | Monmouthshire |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MONMOUTH |
| Postcode district | NP7 |
| Dialling code | 01600 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Monmouth |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Monmouthshire | |
Skenfrith (Welsh: Ynysgynwraidd) is a small village in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, in the United Kingdom. It is located on the River Monnow, close to the border between Wales and England, about 6 miles north-west of Monmouth.
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[edit] History and amenities
The Welsh placename Ynysgynwraidd, from which the English name derives, means "island of Cynfraeth", possibly a local 6th century leader.
Skenfrith is most famous for its castle, one of the Three (or 'trilateral') Castles – with Grosmont Castle and White Castle – built in the area after the Norman conquest by Marcher Lords to subjugate and dominate this part of the turbulent Welsh Marches into the medieval period. The castle was substantially rebuilt by Hubert de Burgh between 1219 and 1223, but by 1538 it was abandoned and ruinous.
St. Bridget's church was first mentioned in 1207, and was reconstructed and enlarged in the 14th century. The church has a squat tower and large buttress, built because of its unstable foundations. The interior has a Jacobean pew and the tomb of the last governor of the Three Castles.[1] It also holds the Skenfrith Cope, an embroidered vestment of red velvet and linen which has been dated to the late 15th century. Its design shows the Assumption of the Virgin, surrounded by angels and saints.[2]
The village gave its name to one of the historic hundreds of Monmouthshire.
The Bell at Skenfrith, originally a 17th century coaching inn, was voted Michelin Pub of the year in 2007, for the whole of Great Britain.[3]
Skenfrith was used as the location for the fictional village of "Upper Leadworth" in the Doctor Who episodes "Amy's Choice", broadcast on 22 May 2010[4] and "Arthurian Legend".
In June 2010 a regular Produce Market opened in the Village Hall on the second Saturday of each month. This was set up to promote local producers of meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables, honey, bread, jams and preserves, cakes, cider, beer and cheese.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Skenfrith at Britainexpress.com
- ^ Leaflet, The Skenfrith Cope, Church of St. Bridget, Skenfrith
- ^ The Bell at Skenfrith
- ^ "Amy's Choice" at tardis.wikia.com
- ^ The Skenfrith Produce Market website
[edit] External links
- The Skenfrith church and village website
- Castle Wales website on Skenfrith Castle
- Skenfrith Produce Market website
- Map sources for Skenfrith
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