Llanwrtyd Wells
|
|
---|---|
Llanwrtyd Wells shown within Powys | |
Population | 850 (2011) |
OS grid reference | SN877465 |
• Cardiff | 65.1 miles (104.8 km) |
• London | 198 miles (319 km) |
Principal area | |
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 | |
Welsh Assembly | |
Llanwrtyd Wells (Welsh: Llanwrtyd) is a small town in the parish of Llanwrtyd in Powys, mid-Wales, on the Afon Irfon.
With a population of 850 (United Kingdom Census 2011), it claims to be the smallest town in Britain, although Fordwich in Kent has a smaller population.
The town is on the A483 between Llandovery and Builth Wells and is located near the pass between the Tywi and Irfon valleys.
Llanwrtyd Wells grew as a spa town around the Ffynnon Ddrewllyd ("stinking well"), 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 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 5 acres (2 ha) lake created in 1903 by damming an oxbow of the Irfon. During World War II, the hotel was home to Bromsgrove School, evacuated from Worcestershire, and from 1943-45 to the Czechoslovak State School for Refugee Children. It remained as a hotel until 2007 when it became home to a multi-activity centre for school groups and families.
Llanwrtyd Wells had two golf clubs and courses during the 20th century, both now defunct. The early course was at the Dol-y-coed Hotel and the later one at Abernant Lake Hotel.