Gwalia Hotel, Llandrindod Wells Powys County Archives
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In Thomas' Llandrindod Wells Guide of 1891, the author warns of
the difficulty of obtaining accommodation during the busy summer months:
". . . when the place is crowded and beds are at
a premium, and have to be ordered and engaged weeks beforehand, or else
the unfortunate votaries of pleasure have many discomforts to put up
with and find that a carpeted floor or dining room table is the softest
bed they can obtain for "love or money"."
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BRYN AWEL, SOUTH CRESCENT.
PRIVATE HOTEL
and
BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT.
Situated on one of the highest points in Llandrindod Wells, with a fine
south aspect, commanding an uninterrupted view of "Ye Olde Druid Circle,"
Temple Gardens, and the surrounding country.
CENTRALLY SITUATED.
Only a few minutes' walk from Station, Post Office, and all Mineral
Springs.
HANDSOME DINING ROOM AND DRAWING ROOM.
Private Apartments (En Suite).
Smoking and Billiard Rooms. Tennis and Bowling Green.
PERSONAL SUPERINTENDENCE.
Tariff, on application to Mrs. JEFFREY JONES. |
Advert for Brynawel from
Thomas's Llandrindod Wells Guide Powys County Archives
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All the popular tourist guides of the time extol the virtues of Llandrindod's
climate, facilities and atmosphere. In Heywood's Guide of 1891, prospective
holidaymakers are assured that:
". . . there will always be found
a decent class of people here, chiefly of the middle class, professional
and business people. A good sprinkling of clergy and dissenting ministers
will also be found hob-nobbing together, and, for a time at any rate,
living in unity, and one rarely visits Llandrindod without seeing a
lot of literary or musical celebrities, and other well known people
from all parts of Wales."
The entry for the Gwalia Hotel in the 1891 census - taken in April of
that year and therefore not in the thick of the main tourists season -
bears this out:
|
1891
Census |
Gwalia
Hotel, Llandrindod |
Name |
Position in
household |
Marital
status |
Age |
Occupation |
Place of Birth |
English/Welsh
speaker |
Edward Jenkins |
Head |
M |
54 |
Private hotel keeper |
Cardiganshire Llanvighangel-y-creddyn |
Both |
Elizabeth Jenkins |
Wife |
M |
54 |
|
Cardiganshire Llanbadarnfawr |
Both |
Elizabeth Jenkins |
Niece |
S |
24 |
|
Cardiganshire Llanvighangel-y-creddyn |
Both |
Margaret Jones |
Serv |
S |
25 |
|
Cardiganshire Emlyn-Henshafod |
Both |
Laura Hughes |
Serv |
S |
15 |
|
Breconshire Builth |
Both |
Arthur Duggan |
Serv |
S |
19 |
Barber |
Herefordshire Morton Jeffreys |
English |
George Dobson |
Serv |
S |
22 |
|
Cambridgeshire Ely |
English |
Thomas Morris |
Visitor |
S |
54 |
Sadler retired |
Montgomeryshire Llanllwchaiarn |
English |
David Davies |
Visitor |
M |
38 |
Poor rate collector |
Glamorganshire Cardiff |
Both |
Clara N Davies |
Visitor |
M |
29 |
Professor of music |
Glamorganshire Cardiff |
Both |
Jennie Price |
Visitor |
S |
27 |
|
Glamorganshire Cardiff |
English |
Theresa H Asher |
Visitor |
S |
19 |
Musical student |
Glamorganshire Cardiff |
English |
Joseph Sykes |
Visitor |
M |
31 |
Solicitor |
Cheshire Stockport |
English |
William L Griffiths |
Visitor |
S |
25 |
Architect |
Monmouthshire Blackwood |
Both |
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Lily Hanbury
Powys County Archives
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Miss Lily Hanbury, the Shakespearean actress, was a frequent
visitor. She also premiered the part of Lady Windermere in Wilde's
Lady Windermere's Fan, first performed in 1892.
Ostensibly, the main reason for visiting Llandrindod was to 'take
the waters' at the mineral springs - a serious matter for health
conscious Victorians. There was little to distinguish the pursuit of good
health from having a holiday. However, the town was offering more than
just health benefits to visitors by 1891.
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"Taking the Waters at Llandrindod Wells.
You can drink the waters all day for sixpence,
I wish it was the same with Beer." Powys County Archives
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Llandrindod also offered various leisure activities,
such as the lake, sports,
excursions and entertainment.
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Park House Boarding Establishment, Llandrindod Wells Radnorshire Museum
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