Welshpool Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Welshpool Welsh: Y Trallwng
Broad Street, Welshpool
Welshpool
Population	6,664 (2011 census)
Principal area	Powys
Ceremonial county	Powys
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WELSHPOOL
Postcode district	SY21
Dialling code	01938

Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh

EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Montgomeryshire
List of places UK Wales Powys 52°40′N 3°09′W / 52.66°N 3.15°W / 52.66; -3.15

Welshpool (Welsh: Y Trallwng) is a small town and community in the unitary authority of Powys, Wales. It is the fourth largest town in Powys, with a population of 6,664. It lies on the banks of the River Severn and is in the historic county of Montgomeryshire. It is known for its Georgian architecture.

The town is situated around 4 miles (6.4 km) from the border with Shropshire in England. Its name in the Welsh language, Y Trallwng, means "the marshy or sinking land". In English, it was initially known as Pool but its name was changed to Welshpool in 1835 to differentiate it from the Dorset town of Poole.

It served briefly as the capital of Powys Wenwynwyn after its prince was forced to flee the traditional Welsh royal site at Mathrafal in 1212, by the prince of Gwynedd. Assistance from the English crown (the enemies of the Gwynedd prince) restored the Wenwynwyn dynasty to their lands.

The town has a mainline railway station on the Cambrian Line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. Managed and served by Transport for Wales, trains run roughly two-hourly each way.