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Llanrhidian Welsh: Llanrhidian
Llanrhidian Location within Swansea
Population	537
OS grid reference	SS 49610 92298
Principal area	Swansea
Preserved county	West Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SWANSEA
Postcode district	SA3
Dialling code	01792
Police	South Wales
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Gower
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Gower

Division 3 West Winners 2005.

Penclawdd, Gower, South Wales .

Llanrhidian (Welsh: Llanrhidian) is located on the north coast of the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales. The village nestles on the side of a limestone escarpment that leads down to the salt marsh and benefits from many spectacular views across the Loghour estuary and Burry inlet. It is the parochial center of the local area that encompasses a number of hamlets and remote farms. The 2011 census revealed that the parish (llanrhidian Lower) had 207 households and a population of 537.

Many village names in Wales begins with "Llan". The original meaning of "llan" in Welsh is "an enclosed piece of land", but it later evolved to mean the parish surrounding a church. Most places beginning with "Llan" have some connection to a saint and the element following 'Llan' is usually the name of the saint. The sains in Llanrhidian is St Rhidian who established the village's church in the 6th century..

History

The remains of an iron age fort at the top of Cilifor (a hill that overlooks the village) indicates that LLanrhidian was first settled in the prehistoric period and there is documentary evidence that shows a well established Christian settlement during the early medieval period. The first church was established by St Rhidian in the 6th century, and later dedicated to St Illtyd. Part of the present building dates from the 13th century and the chancel and the tower are thought to have been added in the 14th century. The unusual massive construction of the tower, which includes at its top a base for a beacon fire, suggests construction at a time when defence was paramount. During the 19th and early 20th century the knave was rebuilt (1855-185) and the chancel was refurbished (1899-1901).

An ancient carved stone known as the Leper stone is positioned inside the church’s porch. It was found near the tower in 1865 and moved to its present location in 1910. There is some conjecture about its origins and some believe that it may be of Viking origin and possibly a "Hog's Back" tomb covering. It dates to the 9th or 10th century and it is most probably a lintel from the original pre Norman church.

Set into the church's gate post are two memorial plaques from the lost village of Llanelen which are perhaps best left untouched given their reputation for being cursed. The story goes that in the 17th century the villagers went to the aid of seven surviving sailors stranded when their vessel foundered on Gower coast. Unfortunately the sailors were infected with plague which spread and wiped out the entire village population.

Salt Marsh

Llanrhidian gives its name to the salt marsh along the southern edge of the Loghour estuary that is the most prominent feature on the north coast of the Gower peninsula. It is an unspoiled wilderness that is washed by the rising and falling tides. It is a haven for wetland flora and fauna and a bird watchers paradise. Partly owned by the national trust it is accessible to all from the coastal foot path that runs along it's entire length. A the marsh is flooded at hide tide roaming on the mash should be confined to the few hours either side of low tide.

Coastal foot path

The Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path that forms part of the Wales Coast Path runs through the lower part of the village of Llanrhidian. Approaching from Crofty, to the east of Llanrhidian, the coast path follows the route of the single track lane known as the "Marsh Road". This runs for just over two miles along the edge of Llanrhidian salt marsh and is flooded in places during high tides. The path crosses the cattle grid and turns south entering the village at "Parry's Cross". Here the path continues in a westerly direction follows the single track lane that runs under Llanrhidian Hill to stafelhager. At the end of the lane the footpath continues in a westerly direction towards Weobley Castle, Landimore and beyond.

Tourism and Hospitality

The rural nature of the landscape surrounding the village indicate that the primary industry is agriculture but the tourism and hospitality industries are paying an ever increasing role in the economy of the area. The Gower peninsula was designated as Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956 and this long AONB status means that it's splendid scenery has not been spoiled by over development and commercialisation. It's an increasingly popular tourist destination and many of the local inhabitants are rising to meet the accommodation needs of the holiday makers. There are several self catering holiday cottages located within the village, a number of farms run Caravan Club certificated location (5 van) sites and there is a holiday park with static caravans and log cabins some distance from the village. Over recent years there has been a demand for venues to host corporate events and weddings and there are now several such venues within a few miles of the village.

Unlike many of the other Gower villages Llanrhidian has very little through traffic and it never suffers from the High Season traffic congestion found in many of the beach side villages.

Specific tourist information can be found on the Gower Wikivoyage page

Local delicacies

The farms along the north Gower coast are permitted to to graze their livestock on the salt marsh under Common land rights. Sheep and lambs spend most of their lives on these tidal marshes, feeding on grasses, samphire, sea lavender, sorrel and thrift. This diet, particularly rich in iodine, is what gives Gower Salt Marsh lamb a distinctive, rich flavour sought after by connoisseurs and top chefs. Local butchers prepare the meat and it can be bought directly from the farmers or the butchers themselves.

External links

• Images of Llanrhidian and surrounding area on geograph
• Gower and Swansea Bay section of the Wales Coast Path

Category:Villages in Swansea Category:Gower Peninsula Category:Swansea Bay (region)