Berriew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berriew
|
|
|---|---|
 Berriew
|
|
| Population | 1,334 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SJ187008 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MONTGOMERY |
| Postcode district | SY15 |
| Post town | WELSHPOOL |
| Postcode district | SY21 |
| Dialling code | 01686 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Welsh Assembly |
|
Berriew (Welsh: Aberriw) is a lovely village and community in Montgomeryshire, Powys, Wales. It sits right by the Montgomeryshire Canal and the Afon Rhiw river. This is close to where the Rhiw river joins the big River Severn (Welsh: Afon Hafren).
Berriew is about 79 miles (128 km) from Cardiff and 151 miles (243 km) from London. The village itself has a population of 283 people. The wider community also includes places like Garthmyl Hall and Refail.
Contents
Exploring Berriew's Historic Buildings
Berriew is famous for its many old and important buildings. There are 103 buildings in Berriew that are "Listed Buildings". This means they are protected because of their special history or design. Five of these are even more important, called Grade II* listed.
Nearly a quarter of these special buildings are linked to the Montgomeryshire Canal. This canal runs through the area south-east of Berriew.
Famous Houses in Berriew
Some of the most important buildings include:
- Vaynor: This is probably the oldest brick house in Montgomeryshire. It was built in the mid-1600s.
- Glansevern: This grand house was designed by Joseph Bromfield. It shows off a style called Greek Revival, which was popular for its classic look.
- The Vicarage: This house is dated 1616. It's a great example of an old timber framed building. An illustration of it was even used on the cover of a famous book about Welsh houses!
- Lower Cil Farmhouse: This is another well-preserved timber-framed farmhouse from the 1500s.
- Garthmyl Hall: This house was rebuilt in 1859 by a leading designer, James Kellaway Colling.
Other large houses in Berriew include Brithdir, Pennant, Rhiewport, and Trwstllwelyn. Sadly, a beautiful Gothic-style house called Bodheilin burned down in 1906.
Pretty Half-Timbered Cottages
Berriew is especially known for its charming half-timbered cottages. These houses are clustered around the churchyard and along the Afon Rhiw river. You can find more examples in the Refail area.
Many of these pretty cottages were designed or rebuilt by an architect named Thomas Penson. In the late 1830s, Penson worked on houses in Berriew. He helped make the village look like a collection of attractive "Cottage Ornée" houses. These houses often look like charming, decorated cottages.
Some were rebuilt from older timber-framed buildings. Others were built in a Tudor Revival style, which brought back the look of Tudor times. Penson's work often includes large brick chimneys and decorative wooden boards on the gables (the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof). Sometimes, the brickwork was even painted black and white to look like timber framing!
Special Listed Buildings
- Vaynor Park is the main estate in Berriew. It lies to the west of the village.
- Glansevern Hall and its gardens are next to the village. The hall was built between 1801 and 1807. It is a Grade II* listed building. Its garden and park are also highly rated for their special historic interest.
- Garthmyl Hall is a Grade II listed house south of Berriew. It was completely rebuilt in 1859.
- The Vicarage is the home of the Archdeacon of Montgomery. It is dated 1616. It has a unique design with an upper floor that sticks out.
- Lower Cil is a very old timber-framed farmhouse from the 1500s. Tree-ring dating shows it was built in 1583.
The Montgomery Canal
The part of The Montgomery Canal that runs through Berriew has some interesting features. These include a restored lock (a section that raises or lowers boats) and a Grade II listed aqueduct. An aqueduct is like a bridge that carries water. This one carries the canal over the River Rhiw. It has four arches and is the second-largest stone structure on the canal. It first opened in 1797 and was restored in the 20th century.
How Berriew is Governed
The Berriew Community Council looks after the local community. It has 11 members who are elected or chosen to represent the village.
Berriew used to have its own county councillor on the Powys County Council. Since 1995, these councillors have been Independents. From 2022, the Berriew area joined with Castle Caereinion to form a new ward called Berriew and Castle Caereinion.
Things to Do and See in Berriew
- Football Fun: Berriew F.C. is the local football team. They play in the Central Wales Football League North.
- Sculpture Museum: The famous mirror-artist and sculptor Andrew Logan bought the village's old squash courts. He turned the building into a unique sculpture museum!
- Local Pubs: There are two pubs in the village, The Talbot and the Lion Hotel. The Horseshoes is also nearby.
- Berriew Show: This is a big event for the village! It happens every August Bank Holiday Saturday. People from all around come to see displays of gardening, farming, and local crafts. There are also popular dog, horse, and sheep shows.
Best Kept Village
Berriew has won the "Best Kept Village in Wales" competition many times! It first won in 1970. This competition has now stopped, but Berriew's wins show how much pride the community takes in its village.
Famous People from Berriew
- Saint Beuno (died around 640): He was an abbot and a saint. People say he was born in Berriew.
- Thomas Jones (1756–1807): He was a mathematics teacher and a Head Tutor at Trinity College, Cambridge.
- Sir Charles Knowles, 4th Baronet (1832–1917): A Royal Navy Vice admiral who was born at Vaynor Park.
- Alex Carlile, Baron Carlile of Berriew (born 1948): A former Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire. He chose his special title, Baron Carlile of Berriew, from the village.
- Kathy Pearce (born 1963): A Welsh international bowler, famous for playing lawn and indoor bowls.
