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Knighton (Welsh: Trefyclo or Trefyclawdd, "Town on the Dyke") is a town in Powys (traditional county of Radnorshire), mid-Wales, but also partly in Shropshire, England. It lies on the River Teme and straddles the English-Welsh border, with the town's railway station being located in Shropshire, England, as well as part of the town's built up area.

It became prosperous as a centre of the wool trade from the 15th century, and was later an important point on the routes from Hereford to Montgomery, and from London to Aberystwyth. Knighton was finally placed in Wales in 1535 by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542 (Act of Union).

Knighton is known for its well preserved section of Offa's Dyke, and it lies on the Offa's Dyke Path and Glyndwr's Way, two long-distance walking paths. The Offa's Dyke Association has a visitors' centre in the town. Wat's Dyke also runs parallel to Offa's Dyke, a few miles to the east. Caer Caradoc, an Iron Age hillfort associated with Caractacus lies nearby, towards Clun, and Watling Street passes a few miles away at Leintwardine.

A Norman castle was constructed in the 12th century, and the town became a borough in 1203, with a charter permitting a weekly market and annual fair. The castle was besieged by Owain Glyndŵr in 1402 and the castle and much of the town were destroyed. The town soon became prosperous again as a centre of the wool trade. The church dates from the 11th century, although much was rebuilt in the 19th century, and is one of only two in Wales dedicated to St Edward.

Local attractions include the remains of the castle motte (which is still visible), an observatory with a telescope, Europe's largest camera obscura and a planetarium. The observatory is part of the Spaceguard UK project which searches for asteroids which might threaten the earth.

On August 18, 2004, fish fell from the sky in one of the most recent instances of raining animals within the United Kingdom.

Most locals consider the town neither Welsh or English, just plain and simple Knighton. Today the town is a peaceful quiet place - a large village, you would think, but it is a town with a population of around 3,800.


 Trains in Knighton: Knighton is on the Heart of Wales Line


 Libraries in Knighton:
 Knighton Library
       West Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1DN
 01547 528778
 Tue 9:30am-1:00pm 2:00pm-7:00pm
       Wed 9:30am-1:00pm
       Thur 9:30am-1:00pm 2:00pm-5:30pm
       Fri 9:30am-1:00pm 2:00pm-5:30pm
       Sat 9:30am-1:00pm


 Farmers Markets in Knighton:
 Knighton Farmers Market
       Community Centre
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1DR
       9am-2pm 4th Saturday each month
 01547 520096
 http://www.thefarmersmarket.co.uk


 Football in Knighton: Knighton Town FC


 Golf in Knighton:
 Knighton Golf Club
       Ffrydd Road
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1DB
 01547 528646


 Taxis in Knighton:
 Knighton Taxis
       The Dingle
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1LD
 01547 528165


 Vets in Knighton:
 Border Veterinary Centre
       The Surgery
       Ludlow Rd
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1HP
 01547 528292

 Ashburn Veterinary Centre
       Station House
       Station Rd
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1DT
 01547 529600


 Tourist Information Centres in Knighton:

 Telephone:

01547 529424

 Fax:

 

 Email:

[email protected]

 Address:

Offas Dyke Centre
West Street
Knighton
Powys
LD7 1EN

 Hours:

Summer 7 Days 9:00 - 17:30
Winter
Monday - Friday
Saturday - Sunday  9:00 - 17:00


 Pubs/Bars in Knighton:
 Castle Inn
       Knucklas
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1PW
 01547 528150

 George & Dragon
       Broad Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BL
 01547 528 532

 Golden Lion
       High Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1AT
 01547 528 757

 Greyhound Inn
       Llangunllo
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1SP
 01547 550241

 Horse & Jockey
       Wylcwm Place
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1AE
 01547 520 062

 The Kinsley
       Station Road
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1DT
 01547 520 753

 The Knighton Hotel
       Broad Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BL

 The Lloyney Inn
       Lloyney
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1RG
 01547 528498

 Red Lion Hotel
       West Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1EN


 Hotels in Knighton:
 The Knighton Hotel
       Broad Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BL
 01547 520530

 Milebrook House
       Stanage
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1LT
 01547 528632

 The Plough
       40 Market Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1EY
 01547 528041


 B&B's/Guesthouses in Knighton:
 Bryn Heulog
       Llanfairwaterdine
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1TU
 01547 528155
 [email protected]
 http://www.bednbreakfast.co.uk

 The Fleece House
       Market Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BB
 01547 520168

 Jim & Jocelyn Williams
       Monaughty Poeth Farm
       Llanfairwaterdine
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1TT
 01547 528348

 Westwood
 Presteigne Road
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1HY
 01547 520317
 [email protected]
 http://www.knightonbedandbreakfast.co.uk


 Restaurants in Knighton:
 Nose Bags (Mediterranean)
       Wylcwm Place
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1AE
 01547 520062

 Saffron
       Bridge Street
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BT
 01547 528510

 The Waterdine
       Llanfairwaterdine
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1TU
 01547 528214


 Take Aways in Knighton:
 Castle Road Fish Restaurant
       1 Castle Road
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BA
 01547 528530

 Mandarin House
       50 Castle Road
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1BA
 01547 520010


 For Children in Knighton:
 Play Days
       The Spinney
       Fronhir Estate
       Knighton
       Powys
       LD7 1HT
 01547 529920


Knighton - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
KNIGHTON, a borough, market-town, and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Knighton, county of Radnor, South Wales, 9� miles (N. E. by N.) from New Radnor, and 158 (W. N. W.) from London; containing 1404 inhabitants, of whom 1237 are in the borough. The Welsh name of this place is Tr�v-y-Clawdd, signifying "the town upon the dyke," and is derived from its situation on that stupendous rampart of earth which Offa, King of the Mercians, raised as a line of separation between the territories of the Cambrian princes and his own widely-extended dominions. The town is beautifully situated on an eminence rising boldly from the southern bank of the river Teme, and at the head of a deep vale sheltered on all sides by hills of lofty elevation, crowned with timber of luxuriant growth, and commanding extensive and finely varied prospects over the surrounding country. The two principal streets, which intersect each other at right angles, are regularly formed; they contain some well-built houses, and, owing to the declivity of their situation, they are constantly clean, adding much to the neat appearance of the place, which is inhabited by many families of respectability. The parish has almost every where an undulated surface; but the lands, notwithstanding the loftiness of their elevation in some parts, are mostly well cultivated. The total area is 2612 acres.

There are neither manufactures nor trade carried on in the town, with the exception of what arises from its situation on a public thoroughfare, and what is necessary for the supply of its inhabitants. The turnpike-roads from Builth, in the county of Brecknock, and from Kington, in that of Hereford, through Presteign, after uniting within two miles and a half to the south of this town, form the high road from those places, through Knighton, to Shrewsbury. An establishment for dressing and dyeing the wool which the peasants spun in their own houses was formerly carried on, but, together with the spinning, has been discontinued, it having been found cheaper to get the wool from Yorkshire. Flannels and whittles (a Flemish term for shawls) are brought hither from Newtown in Montgomeryshire. A large woolstapling establishment was also kept up here, which failed in 1811; there is still a little business done in this branch of trade, but some warehouses that were used for it have either been converted into dwellinghouses, or are altogether unoccupied. The market, which is on Thursday, is plentifully supplied with provisions, and is attended by dealers even from Birmingham and its vicinity, who come hither to purchase meat, poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, &c. Fairs are held annually on the first Saturday in March, on May 17th, June 21st, August 18th, October 2nd, and the Wednesday before November 12th.

The parish is divided into three parts, namely, the borough, the lordship of Farrington, and the township of Cwmgilla. The borough is co-extensive with the manor, its common title being "The Manor and Borough of Knighton." It is under the superintendence of a bailiff, burgesses, and constables. The bailiff is appointed annually at the court leet held for the manor, which belongs to the crown; his duty extends to little more than collecting the chief-rents of the manor, and receiving in trust, as chief municipal officer, the tolls of the market. The burgesses are made by a presentation of a jury of burgesses, selected by the steward of the manor. Knighton, together with Cnwclas, Kevenlleece, Rhaiadr, and (by the act of 1832, for "Amending the Representation of the People") Presteign, contributes, with the borough of Radnor, to send one representative to parliament. The right of election was extended by the act of 1832 to every male person of full age, occupying either as owner, or as tenant under the same landlord, a house or other premises in the borough of the annual value of �10 and upwards, provided he be capable of registering as the act directs. The number of tenements of this value is seventy-seven, and the total number of voters in the borough is 143. A court for the recovery of small debts was anciently held here, once in three weeks, which, having been discontinued for several years, was revived about twenty-five years ago, but was again discontinued in 1830, in consequence of the death of the presiding officer. The petty-sessions for the hundred are held here; and Knighton is one of the polling-places in the election of a knight for the shire.

The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with �600 private benefaction, �600 royal bounty, and �600 parliamentary grant; net income, �155; patron, the Earl of Powis. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of �290, and there is a glebe of above nine acres, valued at �30 per annum. The church, which is dedicated to St. Edward, and pleasantly situated on the bank of the river Teme, is a comparatively modern edifice. Thomas Meyrick, in 1770, bequeathed �40, and Ralph Dimwood gave �50, with which sums a rent-charge of �4 was purchased, now applied in aid of some National and infant schools, established in the year 1846: the children are also instructed on Sundays, when a few additional scholars attend. There are six small almshouses for the poor, the founder of which is unknown; and several charitable donations and bequests for distribution have been lost, among which are a bequest of �50, by Mary Barnsley, in support of the school, and for the general benefit of the poor; a grant of land of the annual value of �2, by Lieut.Colonel Ralph Winwood; another, of �4. 5., by Judith and John Price; and a rent-charge of �2.10., bequeathed by Andrew Clark, in 1752. The poorlaw union of which this town is the head, was formed November 9th, 1836, and comprises within its limits the following parishes and townships; namely, Knighton, Beguildy, Blethva, Heyop, Llanano, Llanbadarn-Vynydd, Llanbister, Llandewi-Ystradenny, Llangunllo, Llanvihangel-Rhyd-Ithon, and Stanage, in the county of Radnor: Adforton with Stanway, Paytoe, and Grange; Brampton-Bryan; Buckton with Coxwall; and Walford with Letton and Newton; in the county of Hereford: and Bedstowe, Bettws-y-Crwyn, Bucknell, Llanvair-Waterdine, and Stowe, in the county of Salop. It is under the superintendence of twenty-three guardians, and contains a population of 9315 persons, of whom 6484 are in the Welsh portion. Of an ancient castle that commanded the town, the only remains are some vestiges of its site, which can be for the most part accurately pointed out: there are two tumuli in the parish; and on the summit of a steep hill, about three miles from the town, are the remains of a very extensive British camp.



 

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