Llantrisant

Llantrisant
Llantrisant Castle ruins
Llantrisant Location within Rhondda Cynon Taf
Population	15,313 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	ST045835
Community	Llantrisant[2]
Principal area	Rhondda Cynon Taf
Preserved county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PONTYPRIDD
Postcode district	CF38
Post town	PONTYCLUN
Postcode district	CF72
Dialling code	01443
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
Pontypridd
List of places UK Wales Rhondda Cynon Taf 51°32′31″N 3°22′30″W / 51.542°N 3.375°W / 51.542; -3.375

Llantrisant (Welsh pronunciation:

There is evidence for settlements in and around Llantrisant stretching back over three millennia. Two Bronze Age burial mounds are on Mynydd Garthmaelwg, the opposite side of the Ely Valley.^[3][4] A 1.05 metres (3 ft 5 in) tall, by 1.68 metres (5 ft 6 in) wide, possibly Bronze Age, standing stone, was discovered in Miskin during excavations prior to the M4 motorway construction.^[5] An Iron Age hillfort stands on Rhiwsaeson Hill. The enclosure, now known as Caerau Hillfort, measures 230 metres (750 ft) by 180 metres (590 ft).^[6]

A settlement has existed on this site from at least the beginning of the 6th century, when the poet Aneurin wrote of 'the white houses of Glamorgan' when referring to Llantrisant.^[7] It was seized around 1246 by

The focal point of the town is the Bull Ring, a commercial square in the centre of the town that was used for bull-baiting, until it was disallowed in 1827 due to unruly crowds.^[11] The square contains a statue of Dr William Price a pioneer of cremation.^[8]

Model House

The first workhouse in Glamorgan opened in Llantrisant in May 1784, using a number of adapted cottages on Swan Street and part of the Black Cock pub on Yr Allt,^[7] a road to the south west of the Bull Ring, between the parish church (to the west) and the castle (to the east).

The Union Workhouse was built in 1884 on the Bull Ring – west of where Dr Price's statue stands today and behind the

The building closed as a workhouse in the early 1900s and first became a boarding house, then an inn and later a general store, called County Stores. They were known as a cornflour and provisions merchant, and a linen and woolen drapers, also selling boots and shoes. The site was bought in the 1950s by 'Planet Gloves', who manufactured gloves there until the late 1960s. The Model House stood empty for many years before being bought by the local authority to convert into a craft and design centre.[12]

In 1989 the Model House re-opened as a craft and design centre. A registered charity, Model House was funded by the Arts Council of Wales^[13] since the demise of the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1994, receiving about 35,000 visitors a year.^[14] The ground floor contains galleries that include glass, ceramics and designer jewellery from established British and Welsh artists, as well as a local painter. The upper floors have workshops that are used by individual craftspeople, whose work can be purchased either from their studio or from the ground floor shop.^[15] The Model House has a programme of art and crafts exhibitions throughout the year and hosts a varied series of workshops, where adults and children may learn the basics of a wide range of contemporary craft skills.^[16]

The centre closed in December 2009 after the company which ran it, Model House Ltd, went into liquidation. The management of the building was taken over by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, who after tackling structural problems with the roof and outer walls reopened the centre in mid 2010.^[17]

Llantrisant Castle

Llantrisant Castle stands in parkland in the centre of the town though only one wall of the raven tower remains. Although initially built as a wooden fortification it was rebuilt as a stone structure around 1246 by Richard de Clare, Lord of Glamorgan. In 1294 the castle was damaged during the uprising against the Norman overlords, led by Madog ap Llywelyn, and again in 1316 by Llywelyn Bren. It is believed that the castle was destroyed in 1404 by Owain Glyndŵr though there is no written proof of the event. John Leland reported the castle as ruined in his writings in 1536.^[18]

Llantrisant Guildhall

Llantrisant Guildhall, which was the meeting place of the borough council, was completed in 1773.^[19]

Llantrisant Parish Church and Penuel Chapel

By the early 1900s Llantrisant had eight chapels, as well as the

At the highest point of Y Graig[21] is a stone tower known locally as “Billy Wynt”. Also said to have been used as an auxiliary tower with its high up positioning it remains a focal point of history. By the early 19th century the tower was in ruins and in 1890^[22] it was restored as a folly by the Llantrisants' town trust.

Y Pwysty

‘Y Pwysty’ the weighing house, was located on this site since medieval times. Once known as The Angel Inn, it was at Y Pwysty that the weight of goods were regulated at the markets and fairs held in the town.^[23]

The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint, which produces all British coins, moved from London to Llantrisant in 1967 in order to meet demand when the UK converted to decimal currency. In addition to British coins, the Royal Mint produces circulating coins for approximately 60 countries, as well as medals, bullion coins and bars.^[24] The Royal Mint also attracts tourists to Llantrisant to The Royal Mint Experience and the Royal Mint Museum which runs events and exhibitions around topics of interest.^[25]

Environment

Llantrisant is typical of most locations in the South Wales region, being home to typical upland habitat birds and mammals of the British Isles. The town also contains Llantrisant Common and Pastures, a 113-hectare (280-acre) Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is home to several rare plants.

Transport

Llantrisant is served by Pontyclun railway station three miles away, which was formerly known as Llantrisant railway station.^[26] Trains run by Transport for Wales call at the station.

Employment and economy

The town is the home of the Royal Mint, which manufactures all British coins. The Royal Mint transferred to Llantrisant in 1967^[8] and its attractions include the Mint's museum. The Mint employs around 900 people.^[27] A number of small, independent retailers have successfully found a home in Llantrisant Old Town. In addition to the Model House Craft & Design Centre, now well-established in a former 18th-century workhouse in the town centre, there is a village shop known as the Bullring Stores, a traditional toy shop with added vintage finds, galleries, pubs and restaurants.

The history of education in Llantrisant is firmly based in the varied religious institutions and Sunday School services which rapidly flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Norman parish church was the starting point for the education movement, although it was one that would take a century or more to fully develop into a successful entity.

Sport and leisure

Sport flourished in Llantrisant for centuries and the remains of a

See Category:People from Llantrisant

• Sir Leoline Jenkins, politician and judge
• William Price
  lived in the town.
• Andrew Bishop, Bradley Davies and Scott Andrews, Wales' international rugby union players.

Freemen of Llantrisant

• Sir David Evans: Lord Mayor of London in 1891
• Sir Cennydd George Traherne: Late Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan 17 May 1935.^[28]
• Trevor Rees
• Sir Brandon Meredith Rhys Williams: Late Conservative Politician

Twin towns

Llantrisant has a

• Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France, since 2015.^[29]

References

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Llantrisant.