A Brief History of Llanwrtyd Wells
Llanwrtyd Wells is a small town lying on the River Irfon close to the
Cambrian Mountains. The original settlement consisted of a few
scattered farms and houses around an isolated church believed to
have been established in the 6 th Century. It was the main crossing
point for droving – moving sheep, cattle, pigs and geese from the
countryside to areas of higher population and the census of 1841
shows 27 inhabitants.
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The village was becoming famous because of the sulphur springs
which, despite their existence for many centuries, were re-
discovered in 1732 by the Rev Theophilus Evans, who was led to
believe, by the emergence of a frog from the waters, that they could
provide a cure for scurvy and other skin ailments. However,
although the area had been on a stagecoach route, it was the
coming of the railway in 1867 that led to the rapid development of
the town with the provision of guest houses and hotels to
accommodate the visitors who came to ‘take the waters’. At its
height the town was welcoming over 3,000 visitors a day and, in
addition to accommodation, a variety of shops opened supplying
everything from ladies wear to ironmongery.
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During WWII the town was chosen for the relocation of the
Bromsgrove School from Worcester when many buildings were taken
over to provide teaching facilities and accommodation for the pupils
and teachers and subsequently hosted many Jewish children saved
by Sir Nicholas Winton.
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Getting Here
By Road
Llanwrtyd Wells is on the A483. Leave the A40 either at Crickhowell, and take the A470, both joining the A483 at Builth Wells.
From the North pick up the A483 from Chester. From the East take the A44 from Worcester, A481 to Builth Wells and the A483 to Llanwrtyd.
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By Rail
Llanwrtyd Wells is on the scenic Heart of Wales railway linebetween Swansea and Shrewsbury. Contact Arriva Trains Wales for more details.
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