Llandovery
Coordinates: 51°59′29″N 3°42′12″W / 51.9913°N 3.7033°W / 51.9913; -3.7033
| Llandovery | |
| Welsh: Llanymddyfri | |
  Llandovery shown within Wales |
|
| Population | 2870 (2001)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SN763346 |
| Principal area | Carmarthenshire |
| Ceremonial county | Dyfed |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LLANDOVERY |
| Postcode district | SA20 |
| Dialling code | 01550 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Carmarthen East and Dinefwr |
| Welsh Assembly | Carmarthen East and Dinefwr |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Carmarthenshire | |
Llandovery (Welsh: Llanymddyfri) is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road.
The town is served by Llandovery railway station, where there is a park and ride to Llanelli and Shrewsbury by the Heart of Wales railway line.
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Roman fort
The Roman fort was known to the Romans as Alabum, who built a fort on Llanfair Hill around AD 50 to 60 as part of their strategy for the conquest of Roman Wales.
Norman and medieval castle
Attractions in the town include the remains of Llandovery Castle, built in 1110 and almost immediately captured by the Welsh, changing hands between Normans and Welsh until the reign of King Edward I of England. The castle was used by King Henry IV while on a sortie into Wales when he executed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in the marketplace. It was later attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403, and has stood as a ruin ever since.
Welsh hero
A 16-foot (4.9 m) high stainless steel statue to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan was unveiled in 2001 on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution six hundred years earlier. He had led the army of King Henry IV on 'a wild goose chase' under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Glyndŵr's forces. King Henry lost patience with him, exposed the charade and had him half hanged, disemboweled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered - the quarters salted and dispatched to other Welsh towns for public display.
The statue won a national competition to choose a suitable design, the winner being that of Toby and Gideon Petersen, funding was from the National Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.
Other attractions
Also in the town are a charity-run theatre (Llandovery Theatre), a heritage centre and Llandovery College. The Carmarthen Fans, a scenic mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park is nearby.
Tourists appreciate the first conurbation after crossing the Brecon Beacons and large numbers of motorcyclists congregate, particularly at weekends, in the West End cafe on Broad Street, part of the A40.
The Physicians of Myddfai practised in the area, healing subjects with their herb lore and potions as well as their mystical powers and insight into the human condition.
Llandovery is also the place where one of the first independent Welsh banks, The Black Ox, was established by a wealthy drover (later to become part of Lloyds TSB bank). The building is part of the King's Head inn which was the home of The Bank of the Black Ox.
Llandovery is home to the rugby union team Llandovery RFC, nicknamed The Drovers.
Famous people
Famous people associated with Llandovery include outlaw Twm Siôn Cati and hymn writer William Williams.
Llandovery is twinned with Pluguffan, France.
Nearby places
The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are located 10 miles (16 km) away near Pumpsaint on the A482. The site of a Roman Gold Mine.
The small and pretty village of Myddfai is located four miles (6 km) to the south east. Bannau Sir Gâr or Carmarthen Fans, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park lie nearby.
The Llyn Brianne dam is 11 miles (18 km) to the North located in rugged and impressive countryside above Rhandir-mwyn. On the picturesque journey to the dam, visitors also pass the site of Twm Siôn Cati's Cave at the RSPB's Dinas reserve. The walk along the river and in the woods are impressive and unspoilt.
References
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