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Around Carmarthenshire
Llandovery
The monument to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan overlooks the town
An ancient market town on the west bank of the upper reaches of the river Towy. The town has character and historical associations.
Small shops line the main street and offer a wide variety of goods. A number of hotels, pubs and guest houses can be found in the town and surrounding area.
Adequate parking is to be found at below the castle and toilet facilities are available.
The remains of the castle warrant a visit and walks along local footpaths are well worth the effort.
Buses serve the town and it’s an easy drive to Brecon and into the surrounding area. The railway provides access to both North and South Wales.
Other information
Llandovery is an anglicised form of the Welsh Llanymddyfri (Church amongst the Waters). Llandovery has the rivers Towy to the north; Bran and Gwydderig to the east and the Bawddwr which runs under the town and was in the 19th century an open sewer.
Llanfair Hill, where once the Roman camp of alabum stood,
overlooks the town. Archaeologists believe the fort dates from AD 50s or early
60s. From the fort Roman roads run west to Carmarthen, north to Dolaucothi and
south-east to Brecon.
Among the several churches which serve the town are the Norman-built church
Llanfair ar y Bryn and the parish church of Llandingat.
The Norman castle dates from pre- 1116 and was captured by
the Lord Rhys in 1179. It remained in Welsh hands until 1282 when Edward I
recaptured it. The Welsh patriot Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan, is remembered by a
monument on the castle mound.
Richard III gave the town it’s charter in 1485 and Llandovery became a
Corporation governed by a bailiff presiding over a Council of Burgesses. This
title of Bailiff remained in use until 1836 when it was superseded by that of
Mayor.
The original Town Hall was built of timber and was in a state of disrepair half
a century later. A second building is believed to have been constructed using
stone from the castle which had been burned down in 1532. The present Town Hall
(the fourth) was built in 1857.
Two of Llandovery’s most famous sons are: the Rev. Rhys Prichard, author of
Canwyll y Cymru (the Welshman’s Candle), born in the town in 1579. He spent most
of his life as Vicar until he died in 1644; and William Williams, Pantycelyn,
the poet, and hymn writer.
William William’s descendants still live at Pantycelyn Farm where one can see
the long case clock, which was at the house during his life.
In 1799 David Jones founded the Black Ox Bank. At the beginning of the 20th
century it became Lloyd’s Bank.
Thomas Phillips founded Llandovery College in the 19th century.
The Tonn Press founded by David and William Rees thrived in the 19th century and printed many books for the Welsh Manuscript Society. William Rees was also responsible for bringing the railway to Llandovery.
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