Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

an ancient town situated at the junction of the Gavenny with the Usk. The ruins of the castle, which is in a very dilapidated state, form a very picturesque object. The church of St Mary was the chapel belonging to the priory, and contains many ancient monuments. The free grammar-school was founded in the reign of Henry VIII. The trade of the place has greatly declined, but during summer it is much frequented by visitors. Near Abergavenny is the Agar-loaf mountain, 1852 feet above the level of the sea. The ascent is easy, and the summit commands an extensive and beautiful prospect. This place gives the title of Earl to the Neville family. Pop. 1851, 4797.

To Hereford, 24 m.

Hill Ho.

339
337

[blocks in formation]

Pentre Inn.
Enter South Wales.
Crickhowell,

391

414

Glan Usk Park, Sir J. Bailey, Bart.

[blocks in formation]

a small but pretty town on
the Usk. To the east of
the town are the ruins of
the castle. Pop. of par.
1251, 1403.

To Merthyr Tydvil, 14 miles.

Tretower.
BRECKNOCK or
BRECON.

46

Buckland, J. P. Gwynne Holford, Esq.

57

is delightfully situated at the confluence of the Honddu with the Usk; hence the British name of the town Aberhonddu. The objects chiefly deserving of attention are the ruins of the castle, consisting of some remains of the "Keep” called "Ely-Tower," so named from Dr. Morton, bishop of Ely, who was confined here by Richard III., and the scene of the conference of the bishop with Stafford Duke of Buckingham: the scanty remains of the priory founded in the reign of Henry I.: the Church of St John, at the end of which is a beautiful Saxon stone font: St Mary's Church, with a steeple 90 feet in height: St David's Church, on the north bank of the Usk; and Christchurch College, once a Dominican

A TOUR THROUGH WALES-Continued.

priory, attached to which is a free grammar-school. There are also sev meeting-houses and charitable institutions. The ancient mansion called Bre nock Priory, is the property of the Marquis Camden. Mrs Siddons was a na of Brecon. One M.P. Pop. 1851, 6070.

[graphic][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

a sea-port, borough, and market-town, situated at the mouths of the Rheidol and the Ystwith. It is the largest town in the county. It was once fortified with walks, a portion of which still remains on the shore. The castle, situated wes of the town on a rock projecting into the sea, was founded in 1109 by Gilber De Strongbow. It was afterwards destroyed, but was rebuilt in 1277 by Edward I It was a fortress of great strength, and once the residence of Cadwallader

A TOUR THROUGH WALES-Continued.

It was finally destroyed by Cromwell. The ruin was the property of the late Duke of Newcastle. The town contains two churches and several meetinghouses, assembly rooms, a chalybeate spring, a library, baths, a theatre, &c. The castle house was built by the late Sir Uvedale Price of Foxley, Bart., after designs by Nash. Aberystwith has a considerable coasting trade in corn, lead, oak, bark, and butter. It is much frequented for sea-bathing. Extensive walks have been formed in the vicinity. There are several lead mines in this neighbourhood, so rich in silver that the district is called by the Welch Potosi From the Gogerddan mines, at present unworked and little known, Sir Hugh Middleton accumulated the wealth which he expended in his great undertaking of bringing the New River to London. Aberystwith unites with CarAbout digan, Adpar, and Lampeter, in returning one M.P. Pop. 1851, 5231.

3 miles distant is Nanteos, W. E. Powell, Esq., and Gogerddan, Pryse Loveden, Esq.

ON RIGHT FROM BRIST.

Beachley.

From

From Machynlleth you 2431 Machynlleth

may cross to Shrewsbury

through Welsh-Pool.

Forward to Dinas Mowddwy, 13 miles.

[blocks in formation]

gomeryshire,)

a very ancient market-town
and borough, beautifully
situated at the confluence of
the Dulas and Dyfi. It
forms the centre of the
woollen trade in this part of
the country. Here is an
ancient structure to which
Owen Glyndwr is said to
have summoned the nobility
and gentry of Wales in 1402.
Pop, 1851, 1673.

cr. the river Dyfi.

ON LEFT FROM BRIST.

242 Junction of the road. 136 To Towyn, 11 miles.

[blocks in formation]

2351 Junction of the road. 143

To Dinas Mowddwy, 6231 Dinas Mowddwy road. 1474

miles.

[blocks in formation]

situated in a fertile valley on the river Wnion, surrounded by mountains, and greatly celebrated for its beautiful scenery. It is much frequented by persons making excursions of pleasure, and there is perhaps no place in the principality whence so many excursions may be advantageously made. Those mostly taken are to Machynlleth, the waterfalls, Barmouth, Cader Idris, Dinas Mowddwy, thence to Bala, over the mountains, and back through the vale in which the Dee rises. Owen Glyndwr assembled his Parliament at Dolgelly in 1404. Some Roman coins have been found in this vicinity, bearing this inscription, IMP. CESAR TRAIAN. A considerable trade in coarse cloth is carried on at Dolgelly. Pop. 1851, 3479. Near Dolgelly is Cader Idris, in height the second mountain in Wales. The summit is 2850 feet above the town,

140

A TOUR THROUGH WALES-Continued.

Its ascent is much easier than that of Snowdon, and its summit, in a clear day commands a view more than 400 miles in circumference. Two miles from Dolgelly is Nannau, once the residence of Hawel Lele, an inveterate enemy of Owen Glyndwr. It was the ancient seat of the family Nanney of Nannau, but now through marriage, is that of Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart. In the upper part of the park are the remains of a British fort. Tenimiles distant from Dolgelly is Barmouth, one of the most frequented watering-places in Wales. The intervening scenery is remarkably grand. From Dolgelly to Bala, 18 miles; to Harlech, 18 miles.

[blocks in formation]

CAERNARVON,

an ancient town, situated
partly on the Menai strait,
partly on the estuary of the
Seiont. It was the only sta-
tion the Romans possessed
in this part of Cambria.

184

189

Plas-Tan-y-Bwlch. W G. Oakeley, Esq. The grounds are extensive and interesting.

To Criccieth, 114 m., to Caernarvon by Llanllyfni 25 miles.

The surrounding scenery is remarkably sublime and picturesque.

Persons wishing to as

cend Snowdon from Caernarvon should proceed to the village of Dol Bedarn, and there procure a guide.

To Pwllheli, 22 miles, to Nevin, 21 miles. Coed Helen.

Some fragments of the walls of the ancient city still remain. Near the Seiont was a strong fort, long the residence of the British princes. The principal ob ject of interest is the castle erected by Edward I. The external walls are nearly entire, and are from 8 to 10 feet thick. This castle was the birth-place of Edward II. The room in which he was born is still shown. It was taken and re

« AnteriorContinua »