Newborough, Anglesey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newborough
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 the A4080 in Newborough with Snowdonia in the background |
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 Newborough
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| Population | 839 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | SH425655 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LLANGEFNI |
| Postcode district | LL61 |
| Dialling code | 01248 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Newborough (Welsh: Niwbwrch) is a lovely village located in the southern part of the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. It is part of the Bro Aberffraw area. To the northwest, you'll find Aberffraw, and to the northeast is Llanfairpwll. Newborough has a church, a primary school, and a community hall called an institute. Close by, you can explore the Newborough Warren, which includes a forest, a beautiful beach, and a nature reserve for everyone to enjoy.
Contents
A Glimpse into Newborough's Past
How Newborough Began
Long ago, in medieval times, the area around Newborough was known as Rhosyr. It was a very important place for the Princes of Gwynedd, who were the rulers of a Welsh kingdom. They had a special court building called Llys Rhosyr here, built around 1237. This court was used for less than 100 years. Today, you can still see the ruins of this old court building near the village. It even inspired a rebuilt court at the St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff!
Newborough got its current name in 1294. This happened when King Edward I of England moved people from another town called Llanfaes to this new spot. He wanted to help his new port of Beaumaris grow. So, Newborough was set up as a "new borough" and received its official charter in 1303. Before this, the town was called Rhôs Vair.
The charter was like a special permission from the King, giving the town certain rights. It was renewed many times over the centuries. The town also had a "Burgess," a person who represented Newborough and talked with the King about the town's rights. For a while, Newborough was even the main town for Anglesey, hosting important court meetings. However, in 1550, these meetings moved back to Beaumaris.
Newborough in Modern Times
Newborough's sandy warren used to be a busy place for making things from marram grass. This tough grass was used to create mats, fishing nets, and ropes.
In 1814, Newborough lost its special status as a Royal chartered borough. This happened after the town's mayor resigned. Losing the charter had a big impact on the people. They could no longer use common land for grazing their animals, and the land was taken by the Crown. The nearby town of Llanddwyn then became part of Newborough.
A famous person from Newborough was John Morgan, a blind musician who played a traditional Welsh instrument called the crwth.
Today, the village gives its name to a noble title, Baron Newborough, held by the Welsh Wynn family. In 2019, a new Welsh-speaking primary school, Ysgol Santes Dwynwen, opened in the village. Newborough is part of the Bro Aberffraw area, which covers the southwest of Anglesey.
Exploring Newborough Today
St Peter's Church
In the heart of the village stands St Peter's Church. This historic place of worship dates back to the 14th century, with parts added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church was repaired in 1850 and made larger in 1886.
The Prichard Jones Institute
The Prichard Jones Institute is a grand building constructed between 1902 and 1905. In Wales, an "institute" is often a community hall, also known as y stiwt. This building has a unique Neo-Tudor style and a clock tower. It was designed by Roland Lloyd Jones and cost about £20,000 to build in 1905. The Institute was even featured on a BBC2 TV show called Restoration in 2006.
Attached to the institute are six small cottage homes. These were a gift to the village from Sir John Prichard-Jones, who was born in Newborough. He started as a shop assistant in Caernarfon and later moved to London. Sir John eventually became the chairman of the famous Dickins & Jones department store in London, which he helped make successful.
Fun Things to Do in Newborough
Newborough and its surroundings offer many chances for visitors to go walking. You can explore Newborough Warren, which has some of the biggest sand dunes in the British Isles. There's also Newborough Forest, a large woodland covering about 2,000 acres. Much of the area around Newborough is a nature reserve, a great place for people who love rocks, plants, birds, and other wildlife.
There's a big, sandy Blue Flag beach at Llanddwyn. From here, you can walk to Ynys Llanddwyn, a small island. On the island, you'll find the ruins of a church. It is said to have been dedicated to the Welsh Saint Dwynwen in the year 465. She is the patron saint of Welsh Valentine's Day (Welsh: Dydd Santes Dwynwen). The church was built in the 16th century on a long piece of land stretching into the sea. The beach is also a popular spot for kitesurfing.
Just outside the village, you can visit Tacla Taid, which means "Grandpa's stuff." This is the Anglesey Transport and Agriculture Museum, the largest of its kind in Wales.
Newborough's Population
The village of Newborough is part of the Rhosyr area. In 2001, the Rhosyr community had a population of 2,169 people, which grew to 2,226 by the 2011 census.
Looking back, the village's population grew from 599 in 1801 to 934 in 1971. In 1831, there were 187 men over 20 years old, and 62 of them worked on farms. In 2011, Newborough village itself had 892 people, with 68% of them born in Wales. As of the 2021 census, Newborough has a population of 839.
Notable People from Newborough
- Sir John Prichard-Jones (1841–1917): A successful businessman and partner in the London department store Dickins & Jones.
- William Jones (1842–1907): A master sailor, industrialist, and community leader who moved to Tasmania, Australia.
- Grace Wynne Griffith (1888–1963): A novelist who wrote in Welsh. She won a joint prize at the National Eisteddfod in 1934.
Movies and TV Shows Filmed in Newborough
Newborough's beautiful scenery has been chosen as a filming location for several productions:
- Coast: A BBC television series.
- Half Light: A 2006 horror film starring Demi Moore.
- Clash Of The Titans: A 2010 historical fantasy film starring Sam Worthington.
- House of the Dragon: A 2022 Fantasy television drama, which is a prequel to Game of Thrones.
Photos of Newborough
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Newborough beach car park
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Kitesurfing on Newborough beach
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Gateway leading to St Peter's Church
See also
In Spanish: Newborough (Anglesey) para niños
