Llanarth, Monmouthshire

Llanarth
Welsh: Llanarth
The main road leading through Llanarth
Llanarth  Llanarth shown within Monmouthshire
Population	892 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	SO375109
Principal area	Monmouthshire
Ceremonial county	Gwent
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	USK
Postcode district	NP15
Dialling code	01873
Police	Gwent
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Monmouth
List of places UK Wales Monmouthshire

Coordinates: 51°47′38″N 2°54′25″W / 51.794°N 2.907°W

Llanarth is a privately owned estate village within a conservation area in the Welsh county of Monmouthshire. Llanarth is roughly six miles east of Abergavenny and four miles west of Raglan.

History

One of the earliest mentions of the village is in the Book of Llandaff, written in 1125 CE, where it is rendered with the spelling "Llangarth". The village's name translates as either "church on the ridge of the hill” or possibly “church with a garth (yard)”. Both attest to the presence of a chapel with resident priest (Llan).

Settlement within the area potentially dates back to the 6th century CE. The Book of Llandaff states that the king of Gwent - Iddon son of Ynyr Gwent, gave his mansion of "Llangarth" to Teilo, who was the Bishop of Llandaff between 512 and 566. In 880 a Bishop by the name of Nudd was resident within Llanarth.^{[2] [3]}

The Norman church in the village today stands on the foundation of an older, previous church. In 1891 this church was restored, and for over a century catered to Anglican worshippers.^[4] Just over a century later, in 2014, unable to afford architectural maintenance, the church had closed its doors

The Llanarth estate and its forestry are notable for their numerous coast redwood and giant redwood conifer specimens, which were likely planted in the 19th century following sapling transportation from California.

Facilities

Fields surrounding Llanarth estate; to the left are four giant redwoods, with the Sugar Loaf mountain visible in the centre

Llanarth is surrounded by farmland and forestry which is managed by the Trustees of Llanarth Estate. Within the estate's forestry and land holdings are designated riding bridleways and routes that any horseback rider may use for a nominal fee.

Within the village there is a village hall and sports club with a well-equipped cricket and football pitch, a sports pavilion and a children's play area. Llanarth has a Roman Catholic church located within the grounds of Llanarth Court .^[5] Primary education is available in Raglan, about three miles away, and secondary education is available in Abergavenny or Monmouth.

Llanarth Court (grid reference SO380105)^[6] is also in the vicinity of Llanarth village. Once a private country house ^[7] of a branch of the Herbert family and home to Ivor Herbert, 1st Baron Treowen, then a fee-paying private boys' school, it is now a private hospital.

References

1. "Parish population 2011.Retrieved 4 April 2015".
2. "A History of Catholic Worship at Llanarth: Parish History of Llanarth". Llanarth-Catholic.org. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
3. "Iddon, King of Gwent". Early British Kingdoms. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
4. "Llanarth, Monmouthshire: Historical Description". U.K. Genealogy Archives. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
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