Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major (
Welsh:
Llanilltud Fawr --
llan church +
Illtud +
mawr greater) is a small coastal
town in the
Vale of Glamorgan, south
Wales, lying on the
Bristol Channel coast.
The town grew around a
monastery or "llan", founded in the
sixth century as a centre of learning under
Saint Illtud, where
Saint David,
Saint Patrick,
Saint Samson,
Saint Piran (who is Cornwall's patron saint),
Saint Petroc (who founded
Padstow in Cornwall),
Saint Nectan,
Saint Morwenna (who founded
Morwenstow in
Cornwall),
Saint Gildas,
Saint Tudwal and
Saint Baglan may have studied. It has been called "the oldest university in the world" by some.
Attractions in the town include the
12th century parish church of St Illtud, on the site of the original "llan", and a
15th century town hall, while nearby
St Donat's Castle originated in the
12th century and is now an international
boarding school called
Atlantic College, the first of ten
United World Colleges. Within the Castle grounds lies St Donat's Arts Centre.
Llantwit Major is
twinned with
Le Pouliguen,
France.
There is one
comprehensive school and one
primary school next to it in the town. The schools are named by their Welsh name
Llantillud Fawr School. They were burned down in an arson attack by aggrieved pupils in 1992 but rebuilt a year later. Speculation abounds as to the true perpetrator of the arson attack.
For tourist refreshments, there are also 5 pubs and four restaurants. The Llantwit Major Rugby Football Club runs 2 senior, 1 youth (U/19) and 8 mini/junior teams and plays in Div 4 of the Lloyds/TSB league.
The current town mayor is Mr Russell Downe.
Llantwit Major railway station on the
Vale of Glamorgan Line was re-opened in
June 2005.
Famous locals include
Joanne Briggs,
Craig Harding and Wales Rugby Union tight-head prop John Yapp, legends of their time.
Llantwit Major Beach is a popular surfing spot on the Welsh coast. The beach has the remains of a stone wall which was built during
Roman times.
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Official Website
