Machynlleth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Machynlleth |
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| Market town | |
 Machynlleth Clock Tower |
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 Machynlleth
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| Population | 2,235 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SH745005 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county |
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| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MACHYNLLETH |
| Postcode district | SY20 |
| Dialling code | 01654 |
| 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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Machynlleth (pronounced ma-KHUN-lleth) is a lively market town in Powys, Wales. It sits in the beautiful Dyfi Valley, where two main roads, the A487 and A489, meet. In 2011, about 2,235 people lived here. People sometimes call it Mach for short.
Machynlleth is famous for being the place where Owain Glyndŵr held his Welsh Parliament in 1404. Because of this, it claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales," even though it's never been officially recognized as a capital city. The town has a special connection with Belleville, Michigan in the USA, as they are twinned. Machynlleth also hosted the big Welsh cultural festival, the National Eisteddfod of Wales, in 1937 and 1981.
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What's in a Name?
The name Machynlleth comes from two old Welsh words. The first part, maes, means "field" or "plain." The second part is from Cynllaith, which might be a personal name or refer to a damp area. Over time, these words combined to form Machynlleth.
A Look Back in Time
People have lived and worked in the Machynlleth area for a very long time.
Early History
Around 2,750 years ago, during the Early Bronze Age, people were already mining copper near the town. The Romans also came here. They built a fort called Cefn Caer, about 2.5 miles west of Machynlleth. They might have had lookout posts above the town too.
One of the first written records about Machynlleth is from 1291. King Edward I gave permission for the town to hold a market every Wednesday and two fairs each year. This Wednesday market is still a busy and popular event today, more than 700 years later!
Historic Buildings and Events
The Royal House is one of the old medieval buildings you can still see. Local stories say that Dafydd Gam, a Welsh ally of the English kings, was held prisoner here by Owain Glyndŵr from 1404 to 1412. Later, Dafydd Gam fought alongside King Henry V at the famous Battle of Agincourt. The Royal House is also said to have hosted King Charles I in 1643.
The weekly market and fairs grew very popular. By 1632, people from all over Wales and England came to buy and sell animals and goods.
The Dyfi Bridge (Pont ar Ddyfi in Welsh) was first mentioned in 1533. The current bridge, with its five large arches, was built in 1805. It's a beautiful example of 18th-century bridge design.
During the English Civil War, a local lord named Rowland Pugh supported the Royalist side. In 1644, a Parliamentarian army led by Sir Thomas Myddleton marched on Machynlleth. Pugh's forces ambushed them. In return, Myddleton burned down Pugh's home, Mathafarn, and some houses in Machynlleth.
In 1961, the famous fashion designer Laura Ashley opened her very first shop in Machynlleth.
The disappearance of April Jones in October 2012 received a large amount of coverage in the UK media.
Plas Machynlleth and the Clock Tower
In 1846, Mary Cornelia, whose father owned land nearby, married Viscount Seaham. They made their home at Plas Machynlleth.
To celebrate the 21st birthday of their eldest son, Viscount Castlereagh, the people of Machynlleth decided to build the famous clock tower. It stands at the main crossroads in town and has become a symbol of Machynlleth. The foundation stone was laid in 1874. The clock tower cost £800, and the townspeople raised even more money, using the extra to plant trees.
The Plas Machynlleth house was given to the townspeople in 1948.
Celtica Visitor Centre
In 1995, the Plas Machynlleth house was turned into Celtica, a visitor centre about the history and culture of the Celts. It had a special audio-visual exhibition. Celtica was popular for a few years, attracting tourists and school groups. However, it closed in 2006.
In 2008, Machynlleth Town Council took over the Plas and its park. They have since reopened the restaurant and rent out parts of the building for offices and meetings.
Getting Around
Machynlleth has a railway station that connects the town to Aberystwyth and the Welsh coast to the west, and to Newtown and Shrewsbury to the east. These train services are run by Transport for Wales.
The town is also home to a special signalling centre for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on the Cambrian Line, which helps trains run safely and efficiently.
From 1859 to 1948, a narrow gauge line called the Corris Railway also served the town. It brought slate from quarries to be sent on to markets.
Machynlleth is also served by long-distance bus routes, connecting it to places like Bangor and Wrexham.
The Welsh Language
Machynlleth is a place where the Welsh language is still very much alive. The 2011 Census showed that 67% of the people in Machynlleth have some knowledge of Welsh, and 39% can read, write, and speak it well.
Owain Glyndŵr's Legacy
Machynlleth holds a very special place in Welsh history because of Owain Glyndŵr. He was a Prince of Wales who led a rebellion against the English King Henry IV. In 1404, Owain was crowned Prince of Wales near the Parliament House in Machynlleth. Leaders from Scotland, France, and Spain were there to witness it. He held his own Parliament in the town. After his rebellion ended, it's thought that Owain went into hiding in the area around Machynlleth.
Fun Things to Do
Machynlleth is a great place for tourism. You can find many outdoor activities, like mountain biking trails. The town also has a famous visitor centre called the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Agriculture is still an important part of the town's economy. The Wednesday market is a highlight, offering traditional Welsh, Spanish, and French foods.
Since 2010, Machynlleth has hosted the Machynlleth Comedy Festival every May. Famous comedians perform over three days in different venues around town.
Machynlleth is also on two long-distance walking paths: Glyndŵr's Way and the Dyfi Valley Way.
MoMA Wales
Machynlleth is home to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Wales. It started in 1986 as Y Tabernacl, a performing arts centre in an old chapel. In 1994, it grew to include art galleries, a recording studio, and a language lab. MoMA Wales hosts the annual Machynlleth Festival and its own yearly art exhibition.
Protecting Our Planet
Machynlleth is a leader in environmental efforts. It's home to Ecodyfi, a local group that works to support a greener community and economy in the Dyfi Valley.
The Centre for Alternative Technology is located just three miles from Machynlleth. It's a fantastic place to learn about renewable energy and sustainable living.
In 2019, Machynlleth council was the first in Wales to declare a climate emergency, showing their commitment to fighting climate change.
How the Town is Run
Machynlleth has two levels of local government:
- The Machynlleth Town Council manages local matters and is based at Y Plas. In 2019, it became the first council in Wales to support Welsh independence.
- The Powys County Council handles larger county-wide issues.
In the Welsh Parliament (the Senedd) and the UK Parliament (the UK House of Commons), Machynlleth is part of the Montgomeryshire area.
Sports and Clubs
Machynlleth has its own football club, Machynlleth Town Football Club, which was founded in 1885. They play in a local league. There's also the Machynlleth Rugby Club, which plays in the North Wales Division 2.
Famous Faces
- Owain Glyndŵr (around 1349 or 1359 – around 1416), the Welsh ruler and Prince of Wales, crowned in Machynlleth in 1404.
- Laura Ashley (1925–1985), the famous designer who opened her first shop here in 1961.
- George Monbiot (born 1963), an English writer who lived in the area for many years.
- Members of the rock band Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, started writing their album Led Zeppelin III at a nearby cottage called Bron-Yr-Aur.
Images for kids
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Machynlleth, around 1830
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portrait of Owain Glyndŵr
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The 6th Marquess of Londonderry, as viceroy of Ireland
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Edward M. Lewis, 1922
See also
In Spanish: Machynlleth para niños
