Radnorshire, inland county of South Wales, bounded N. by Montgomeryshire and Shropshire, E. by Herefordshire, S. and SW. by Brecknockshire, and W. by Cardiganshire; greatest length, N. and S., 30 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 34 miles; area, 276,552 acres, population 23,528. Radnorshire is the smallest of the 6 counties of South Wales. In the E. and S. are some comparatively level tracts, including the Vale of Radnor, but the greater portion of the surface is hilly, or even mountainous, the Forest of Radnor reaching in its highest summit an elevation of 2163 ft. Oats and wheat are grown in the lower parts, but attention is chiefly directed to the rearing of stock; the higher parts serve only for the feeding of sheep and the breeding of Welsh ponies. Butter is made in large quantities. The minerals are of little value, except the limestone which underlies the Vale of Radnor. The mfrs. are very limited, chiefly flannel. The forests, which at one time were of great extent, have long disappeared. There are several medicinal mineral springs, those of Llandrindod being in great repute. None of the rivers (Wye, Elan, Ithon, &c.) are navigable, but the railway communication is good. Radnorshire was made a county by Henry VIII. It comprises 6 hundreds and 60 parishes, with part of 1 other. It is in the dioceses of St David’s and Hereford.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Judge’s Lodging
Broad Street
Presteigne LD8 2AD
01544 260650
Explore the fascinating world of the Victorian judges, their servants and felonious guests. From the stunningly restored judge’s apartments to the dingy servants’ quarters below, wander through their gaslit world. Additional collections include photographs and objects relevant to the Radnorshire Constabulary and the building’s life as a court.
Powys Archives
County Hall
Llandrindod Wells LD1 5LG
01597 826088
Powys Archives is located in Llandrindod Wells, and serves as the official repository for the records of the county of Powys. Our collections date from the 14th century and can be used for all types of research.
Powys Heritage Online
The history of mid-Wales from photographs, documents, maps and museum exhibits.
Radnorshire Museum
Temple Street
Llandrindod Wells LD1 5DL
01597 824513
www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=613&L=0
Radnorshire Museum is in the middle of one the prettiest spa towns in Wales. Llandrindod Wells has been visited by people wishing to taking the waters for medical problems since Dr Linden’s famous treatise in 1756.
Rhayader Museum & Art Gallery
CARAD, East Street
Rhayader LD6 5ER
01597 810561
Our museum gallery explores how landscape, culture and the social and economic environments shape our community. Our exhibition gallery has a changing programme of exhibitions.