Llansteffan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llansteffan |
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 Llansteffan viewed from Ferryside |
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 Llansteffan
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| Population | 941 |
| OS grid reference | SN355105 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CARMARTHEN |
| Postcode district | SA33 |
| Dialling code | 01267 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Llansteffan is a charming village in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It sits right on the River Tywi estuary, about 7 miles (11 km) south of the town of Carmarthen. It's a lovely spot where the river meets the sea!
About Llansteffan
Llansteffan is more than just a village; it's also a "community" in Wales. This means it includes the nearby village of Llanybri. In 2011, the whole community had about 941 people living there. The village of Llansteffan itself had 424 residents.
The name Llansteffan means "Llan of Saint Stephen." A "Llan" is a Welsh word that often means a church enclosure or a holy place. The name honors a Welsh saint from the 6th century, not the more famous Saint Stephen.
The area has two main villages, Llansteffan by the water and Llanybri up on a hill. Each has its own church. St Ystyffan's church in Llansteffan is a very old and important building. It is listed as Grade II*, meaning it has special historical interest.
For many years, people could take a ferry from Llansteffan to Ferryside across the Towy estuary. This saved them a long 16-mile (26 km) drive! The ferry stopped running in the 1950s. But in 2018, a new ferry service started again, using a special boat that can handle the beach.
Llansteffan Castle
High above the village, you can see Llansteffan Castle. This impressive castle was built by the Normans in the 12th century. It was given to the Marmion family.
The castle stands on a hill overlooking the river. This spot was very important because it controlled the crossing points of the Tywi and Tâf rivers. It was a key stop on the old coastal road that went from Glamorgan through Kidwelly to Pembroke.
Local Government
Llansteffan is looked after by the Llansteffan & Llanybri Community Council. This council has up to 10 local people who volunteer to help run things in the community. They make decisions about local services and improvements.
Famous People from Llansteffan
- The famous poet Dylan Thomas had strong family ties to Llansteffan. He once called this area his "breeding-box valley." His mother's family, the Williamses, lived on farms nearby. His mother's half-sister, Anne, lived right in the village.
- The artist Osi Rhys Osmond lived in Llansteffan for 30 years.
- Lieutenant Tomos Stephens was an SAS soldier during World War II. He was captured and sadly died during a mission called Operation Bulbasket.
