Llanerchydol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llanerchydol |
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| Hamlet | |
 Llanerchydol Hall |
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 Llanerchydol
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| Community | |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
Llanerchydol is a small village, also called a hamlet, in Powys, Wales. It's located about 2 kilometers west of Welshpool on the A458 road. Llanerchydol is part of the Welshpool area and even has an electoral ward named after it.
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Llanerchydol Hall: A Historic Home
Llanerchydol Hall is a beautiful old house found in a large park. It sits between the A458 road to Llanfair Caereinion and the A490 road to Llanfyllin. This house is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture. This style became popular in the early 1800s and looks like old castles.
The Hall's Special Status
Llanerchydol Hall is a "Grade II* listed building". This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected. Its park and gardens are also listed as Grade II*. They are on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. This shows how special they are.
A Rich History of Owners
The land where the hall stands has a long history. An older house from the Tudor period (around the 1500s) burned down in 1776. After that, a man named David Pugh bought the land. He had become very rich selling tea in London. David Pugh built the new house, which we now know as Llanerchydol Hall.
Changes Over Time
David Pugh's great-grandnephew, also named David Pugh, later inherited the hall. He was a local politician. During the 136 years the Pugh family owned the house, they made many changes. Around 1820, they added the famous "fairy-tale" towers and castle-like decorations. These are typical of the Gothic Revival style.
The Beautiful Gardens
A famous landscape designer, John Repton, helped design the park and gardens. Many of his original ideas can still be seen today. The gardens once had a special Japanese Water Garden and a formal flower garden called a parterre. Llanerchydol Hall is one of three grand houses in this area. The others are Powis Castle and Vaynor Park.
New Owners and Changes
Most of the original 2000 acres of the Pugh family's land were sold over time. The hall itself was sold in 1912 to Hugh Verdon, a cotton trader from Liverpool. His daughters inherited Llanerchydol. The house stayed with the Verdon family until 1985. The last daughter, Angela, passed away at 97 years old. The hall has been sold a few times since then. Today, the 55 acres of Repton parkland are no longer owned by the same people as the hall. The house now sits on about 5 acres of beautiful countryside. It is still within the protected Grade II* listed Repton parkland.
History of the Llanerchydol Area
The name Llanerchydol comes from Llannerch Hudol. This was a medieval commote (a small Welsh district) in the cantref of Ystlyg. It was part of the Kingdom of Powys. This area was in the southeast of the kingdom, close to the border with England. It was a small commote next to other areas like Y Gorddwr and Ystrad Marchell.
Conflicts and Castles
From the 11th century, Llannerch Hudol was often involved in fights. These were between the Norman Marcher Lords (Norman rulers on the Welsh border) and the Welsh princes of Powys. When the Kingdom of Powys was divided in 1160, Llannerch Hudol became part of Powys Wenwynwyn.
The main center of Llannerch Hudol might have been the Welshpool motte and bailey castle. This type of castle was built on a mound of earth. It was built by Cadwgan ap Bleddyn in 1111. There were at least three other motte and bailey castles in this small area. These included Powis Castle (also known as Castell Coch) and Ladies Mount.
Restored Lands
In 1263, Llannerch Hudol was one of the "three commotes" (called Teirswydd) given back to Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. This happened after he promised loyalty to Llywelyn ap Gruffudd at Ystumanner.
What Does Llanerchydol Mean?
The name Llannerch Hudol means "Magic Glade" or "Wizard's Glade". Sometimes, Welsh place names start with llan, which means "church" or "parish". This is usually followed by a saint's name. So, it could also mean "Enchanted Parish of St [Unknown]".
How Llanerchydol is Governed
Llanerchydol gives its name to the electoral ward of Welshpool Llanerchyddol. This ward chooses a county councillor to represent them on the Powys County Council. The Llanerchydol ward also elects up to six town councillors to the Welshpool Town Council. These councillors help make decisions for the local area.
Images for kids
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Llanerchydol Hall, showing its Gothic Revival style.
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A map showing the medieval commotes of Wales. Llannerch Hudol is marked with a question mark.
