With our Christmas card in December 2011, sent to over 3,200 recent guests and friends, we included a leaflet highlighting the many activities and attractions which draw visitors to Llanidloes.
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Click on the collage to the left for an enlarged version of the
leaflet,
in which the images have been numbered.
Click here to check which images
you have correctly identified. Or you can click here to view the image captions directly on the enlarged collage. Or you can view our slide show; - To go there directly click here - To read how to view the show first, click here |
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Our Christmas card in 2000 was a pictogram of local attractions and
activities. A second version was made for us by the artist, omitting Father
Christmas! Click here for the full-size pictogram. Click here to see all our Christmas cards since 1995 (some of our guests tell us proudly they have the full collection). |
Llanidloes dates back to the seventh century when a site by the river Severn was chosen to build a church dedicated to Saint Idloes, a Celt. After the Norman Conquest, the town, then dominated by a motte and bailey castle, began to take the shape it has today: a cross of four broad roads meeting in the centre.
For many decades, Llanidloes was an important centre of lead and silver mining, as well as a market for sheep and wool. Flannel weaving became a thriving industry, as did leather working. The population at 5,000 was double what it is now.
The town was granted a charter in 1280, and has the right to elect a mayor and corporation and hold a borough court. Its most famous building, the Old Market Hall, is the only one of its kind in Wales to survive, despite being hit by articulated lorries from time to time. It was built for judicial purposes about 1600, and has since been a library, a working men’s institute, a museum, an arts and crafts shop and exhibition centre (currently).
A few other fine Black and White buildings survive. Otherwise, much of the architecture is Georgian and Victorian, and protected under a conservation order (which includes the exterior of Lloyds). Converted mills and weavers’ houses reflect earlier industries.
Llanidloes
is the first town on the River Severn. Shown here is the town's second bridge,
Longbridge, from the small park. Photo with thanks to Pam Brusnaham, Victoria,
Australia, February 2010 The imposing non-conformist chapels, built from private money, are a testament to the flourishing commerce of the 19th century. The parish church of St Idloes was extended at this time. It has a massive tower and the belfry is of the Montgomeryshire type. The vast arches on the left of the interior are from an earlier building, and this explains the width of the walls on the southern side. The carved angels in the roof are some of the last created during Henry VIII’s religiously volatile reign.
In the Crown and Anchor in Long Bridge Street hangs a list of over 40 licensed establishments which provided refreshments to thirsty miners, shepherds and mill workers during the 19th century. There are fewer pubs now, nevertheless more than you might expect for the town’s population.
Lake Clywdog, 3 miles, and the Hafren Forest
Machynlleth, 20 miles via the scenic route
Elan Valley, 25 miles, longer for the round trip
Powis Castle, Welshpool, 27 miles
Devil’s Bridge and Aberystwyth, 29 miles
Centre for Alternative Technology, 31 miles
Dolgellau, 43 miles
Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve, 46 miles
Snowdonia, 72 miles
