Kidwelly

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kidwelly
Statistics
Population:	3288 (Census 2001)
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for SN405065
Administration
Principal area:	Carmarthenshire
Constituent country:	Wales
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Dyfed-Powys Police
Ceremonial county:	Dyfed
Historic county:	Carmarthenshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	KIDWELLY
Postal district:	SA17
Dialling code:	+44-1554
Politics
UK Parliament:	Llanelli
European Parliament:	Wales

Kidwelly (Welsh: Cydweli) is a town in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, approximately 10 miles west of the main town of Llanelli.

It lies on the River Gwendraeth above Carmarthen Bay.

Contents 1 History 2 Tourism 3 Transport 4 Government 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] History

The name Kidwelly is thought to be very old, older in fact than the town and castle which were established early in the 12th century. The town became and administrative sub-division of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth. The Normans are responsible for the construction of the town and castle.

A nearby field known as Maes Gwenllian is known as the location of a battle in 1136, in which Princess Gwenllian, sister of Owain Gwynedd, led her husband's troops into battle against a Norman army during his absence. She is believed to have been killed either during the battle or shortly afterwards.

Although being an ancient town, Kidwelly grew significantly during the industrial revolution, as did many other towns in south Wales. The town was home to a large brickworks and tinworks. Little evidence now exists of such activities since the closure of the industrial works, with the exception of Kidwelly Industrial Museum.

[edit] Tourism

Today, the town has adapted to cater for tourism and retail rather than dense industry. The council boasts historical attractions and beautiful countryside, but many complain of a lack of suitable facilities for visitors.

Attractions include Kidwelly Castle, founded in 1106, a fourteenth century bridge and gate, the former quay (now a nature reserve), a Norman parish church and an industrial museum.

The current population of Kidwelly is approximately 3000 with some 30000 tourists visiting annually.

[edit] Transport

Road - Kidwelly is connected to Llanelli and Carmarthen by the A484.

Bus/Coach - There are regular local buses running through Kidwelly, linking the town with Llanelli and Carmarthen, with a main stop in the town centre. There is also a Coach Park located in the town centre.

Rail - Regular shuttles between Swansea and Fishguard every hour or half-hour and a service between London Paddington and Fishguard twice daily stop at Kidwelly railway station, located at the southern end of Station Road.

Cycling - Kidwelly is connected to the National Cycle Network along the coast from the east and west by NCR 4 ^[1]. The cycle path runs directly through the town centre.

Air - Pembrey Airport is approximately 3 miles east of Kidwelly, and is connected to the town by regular bus services.

[edit] Government

Kidwelly is governed on a local level by Carmarthenshire County Council and on a community level by Kidwelly Town Council, who appoint a Mayor of Kidwelly and Mynydd-y-garreg.

[edit] See also

• Mynyddygarreg
• Llanelli, for nearby tourist attractions.

[edit] References

1. ^ Sustrans

[edit] External links

• Kidwelly Town Council - Includes Visitors Guide
• Kidwelly Castle Official Website
• Kidwelly Industrial Museum Official site
• Map of Kidwelly