Introducing Llandovery
"Llandovery is about the pleasantest little town in which I have ever halted" George Borrow, Wild Wales, 1862.
Llandovery
Llandovery is a traditional rural Welsh market town and is a fantastic place to live or visit. It is easily accessible being on the main A40 road from Brecon in the East to the beautiful coast in the West and is also on the Heart of Wales railway line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
It is an old droving town with a rich history and the pretty market square is surrounded by characterful Georgian buildings, built on the profits of the 19th-century wool trade. The town centre has a large range of shops and craft outlets as well as places to eat and drink or to stay and it’s also flat - making it very accessible to all. It is well worth exploring the streets of our town, you will find that Llandovery still offers a warm welcome to visitors.
Countryside
Llandovery lies in an enviable location on the western border of the Brecon Beacons National Park, making it a perfect base for outdoor activities including walking, road cycling, mountain biking, fishing, motorbiking and canoeing. Its rural setting forms an attractive base for visitors wishing to explore the delights of the Brecon Beacons National Park or the hills around Pumpsaint, Rhandirmwyn and the Llyn Brianne reservoir. Legends and history really do lie at the heart of this charming town, surrounded by majestic mountains, leafy woodlands and magical waterfalls promising a breath-taking view in every direction.
Town and Community
The town is home to a thriving community and plays host to many different events throughout the year including a Carnival, the Sheep Festival and Motobike Festival Weekend. Llandovery boasts a doctor’s surgery and hospital and a superb primary school with a public swimming pool and a brand new open-to-all leisure centre facility. It is also home to Llandovery College, an independent school that has supplied and is still supplying a number of great players to the Welsh national rugby team.
The town’s own rugby club, Llandovery RFC, has been active since at least 1877 and is one of the founder members of the Welsh Rugby Union. The club today is still home to one of the leading Welsh Premiership rugby union teams, nicknamed The Drovers, two-time winners of the Welsh Cup in 2007 and 2016, the town also has a library, parks and playing fields, fire and ambulance stations, a youth & community centre and a host of sporting and cultural organisations.
Superfast broadband has reached Llandovery and is continuously expanding. 4G is widely available and “Town wifi” provides free internet access in the town centre.
History
Historically, the town of Llandovery owes its origin to its position at an important bridging point on the River Tywi. This was recognised by the Romans who established a fort, and later by the Normans whose ruined castle can still be seen overlooking the town. It became an important assembly point for the drovers with their Welsh Black cattle before beginning their long trek to the border and the English markets beyond. Today, it is still an important centre retaining much of the character and attractiveness of the 18th and 19th-century market town.
Llandovery is a friendly town that offers a warm welcome to All.