|
Tours > Wales > Llandrindod Wells
Llandrindod Wells
Right in the heart of mid-Wales, the town of Llandrindod is a town of parks, for greenery is everywhere in this former spa. The Romans probably knew of the saline, chalybeate and sulphur springs in the area, but though the healing waters were rediscovered here in the 17th century, visitors in droves did not appear until the middle of the 19th. A spate of building was then undertaken to house them and entertain them. The huge Victorian hotels and boarding houses with their towers and balconies, and displays of wrought iron are a surprise to the casual visitor, as are the wide, spacious streets.
The railway came to Llandrindod in 1866, bringing people from all parts of Britain to sample the waters in the Pump Room and other venues where waters from the sulphur springs were dispensed. The annual flood of more than 80,000 health seekers included judges, lords, ambassadors, and many stage celebrities. The town declined when spas became no longer fashionable, and the Pump Room ceased its operations in the 1960's.
A new lease of life was discovered when the town became the administrative center of the county of Powys in 1974 and many of the old hotels began to house county offices and their staffs. An annual nine-day Victorian Festival of family entertainment, held during August, brings in thousands of visitors to enjoy 200 events including 100 impromptu street theatre performances. While in town enjoying the workshops, exhibitions, talks, concerts and variety shows, they can also see an ancient boat recovered from a bog at the Roman fort of Castell Cellen (Kasteth Kethlen), a wonderful collection of dolls from all over the world, and an unusual display at the Automobile Palace of Veteran Cycles.
The town's central position led to its becoming the ecclesiastic capital of Wales, with the governing body of the Church meeting here as well as other departments. It can be reached from Newtown south on A483 or north from Swansea on the same road after a short stretch on A48.
Next Stop: Brecon
|
|
|
