Llanelwedd: Builth Road
Where the Mid Wales Railway and the Central Wales Extension Railway crossed met a new community grew up. As can be seen from this 1888 map, two stations were built - one on each line. This meant that travellers could travel along one line, get off at Builth Road to change to the other line. The Central Wales Railway from Craven Arms to Swansea, runs roughly North to South in this section of an OS map of 1888. Its station is marked as Builth Road Station. The Mid Wales Railway from Llanidloes connecting with Brecon and Hay runs roughly north west to south east. Its station was called Llechryd Station at this time.
In 1887 a lift was built to take passengers and their luggage from one station up to the other, and from 1889 Llechryd Station became known as Builth Road Low Level Station. The map shows Railway Terrace, a street built especially for the railway workers and their families. Around 1890 another street was built called Wye View Terrace, just off the to the map to the left. Although the Central Wales line closed in the 1960s, the Mid Wales line is still in operation today.
In 1887 a lift was built to take passengers and their luggage from one station up to the other, and from 1889 Llechryd Station became known as Builth Road Low Level Station. The map shows Railway Terrace, a street built especially for the railway workers and their families. Around 1890 another street was built called Wye View Terrace, just off the to the map to the left. Although the Central Wales line closed in the 1960s, the Mid Wales line is still in operation today.
Llanelwedd: Cwrt Llechryd
A moated site in the Wye valley thought to date from the early medieval period (8th-10th centuries). It is of roughly rectilinear shape with sides between 150- 200 metres long. There is a large natuaral mound inside this moated enclosure. It could have held a substantial garrison and may have been a stronghold of a prince of Powys or local chieftain. The 19th century railway down the Wye valley (now closed) was driven through the South Western rim of the outer bank.
[RT; Burnham; Haslam]
[RT; Burnham; Haslam]
Llanelwedd: Pencerrig
The building is now a hotel but was a house at the centre of an estate since at least the 18th century and a staircase and the stables survive from that date. It was the home of the Jones family, in particular the artist Thomas Jones who painted many pictures in the locality. many additions were made to the house in the 19th century, and a lake was dug for Thomas Jones' daughter in 1825.
[RT; Haslam]
[RT; Haslam]
Llanelyw: Church of St Elyw
The dedication to St Elyw or Ellyw a daughter of Brychan suggests an early medieval origin for this foundation. The present simple stone building may have a medieval core though there are no recorded references to the building before 1482. There appear to have been further modifications in the 15th and/or 16th centuries. It is particularly noted for its crude wooden screen and the fact it has escaped heavy 19th century “restoration”
[Haslam; CPAT website]
[Haslam; CPAT website]
Llanerfyl: Church of St Erfyl
The shape of the churchyard on old maps and the decication to St Erfyl daughter of St Padarn make an early medieval origin for this parish church likely. The church was recorded in the 13th century and is believed to have exhibited 15th and 17th century features before the whole edifice was completely rebuilt in 1870.
[Haslam; MC; CPAT website]
[Haslam; MC; CPAT website]