Builth Wells

Welcome to our page about the town of Builth Wells. Please don't be too dissapointed if the information is not very comprehensive to begin with - more content will be added in time, if you have any suggestions please use the contact form to submit them.

Builth Wells is a town in Brecknockshire, Powys, lying where the river Irfon meets the river Wye. The town is probably best know for hosting the Royal Welsh Show at the Royal Welsh Showground.

The Town of Builth Wells

Like so many towns in this part of Wales, Builth Wells has not yet been taken over by multinationals and national high street shops, and has been able to retain it's own character - Builth Wells boasts town centre shopping with true individuality. A range of independently owned retailers jostle side by side to provide a truly original shopping environment.

Brief History of Builth Wells

First emerging after Roman times, the Normans made the surrounding district of Buellt a marcher lordship (i.e., part of the political buffer zone between Wales and England) and constructed a fine motte-and-bailey castle at Builth. But the town and castle suffered severely from Welsh attacks, notably by Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1260. Llywelyn was killed nearby in 1282, and his death ended most Welsh resistance to English conquest. Builth was once an important collecting point in the cattle-driving trade between Welsh breeding areas and England. It has also been a spa and continues to attract tourists drawn by its setting among the mountain scenery of Powys

The Royal Welsh Show

The Royal Welsh Show is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1904, and the first show was held in Aberystwyth in the same year.

The Society has come a long way since those early days and the Royal Welsh Show has become an important event in the Welsh calendar attracting some 230,000 people over the course of the four days and is supported by approximately 15,000 staunch members.

This success has allowed for the extensive development of the permanent showground at Llanelwedd, first used in 1963, which is set in the heart of the scenic Mid Wales countryside.

It is an ideal central location to stage its own three events, the Royal Welsh Show, the Winter Fair and the Smallholder & Garden Festival, and offers a prime site for other clients. You can find out more about the Royal Welsh Acrigultural Society from their Website.

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