Llanfyllin Workhouse
Last updated: 27 March 2006
Y Dolydd workhouse in Llanfyllin was a temporary home for hundreds of local paupers in the nineteenth century and was one of three Welsh buildings featured in the BBC Two series Restoration in the summer of 2004.
Known as the Llanfyllin Union, Y Dolydd was one of 54 workhouses built in Wales under the 1834 Poor Law and it's regarded as one of the most complete examples of its kind.
When it was chosen as one of the shortlisted buildings for the BBC's Restoration series, supporters of the old workhouse kept a regular diary recording their campaign to save the building. Their bid to win the Restoration prize was unsuccesful but the work to preserve the building continues.
Take a photo tour of the Llanfyllin Union Workhouse.
There were two other Welsh buildings on the shortlist, including Cardigan Castle and Celynen Hall in Newbridge but the eventual winner of the Restoration prize was the Old Grammer School in Birmingham
your comments
Brenda Price
Haven't we already lost enough of British Welsh history. Restore it let us have some history for UK.
Mon Jan 19 09:54:20 2009
Janet Edwards, Canada
My Great Grandfather Robert Meredith, was an 'inmate' there. I visited this place last year while searching my family roots. He was a hedge layer by trade and lived with his wife Elizabeth and six children. They lived in a little house at Cwm-nant-y-mechiad near a farm. I would like to see the "Workhouse" be turned into a Museum, a look back to how life was in those days, with NO saftey net for the poor! I shall be visiting Llanfyllin next year and will be following with interest the development of Y Dolydd Workhouse!Are there any documents pertaining to the names etc, of the 'residents'?
Wed Oct 24 09:25:14 2007
Stephen Davis from Shropshire
Found this building after getting a little lost. Well worth the diversion. A great building that should be preserved for generations to come.
Mon Sep 4 10:33:18 2006
REV H JALLAND FROM RHYL
I am hoping to move to Llanfyllin to live shortly due to early retirement. I would like to be involved in the project to save Y Dolydd. My late cousin was born in Stanway Workhouse, Essex in the early part of the last century.
Thu Dec 22 16:31:01 2005
Carolyn Sheldon, USA
Having visited Wales this year for the most magical 2 1/2 weeks of my life, we saw the work house building and wondered what it was. I thought it very impressive and beautiful. Please restore things Welsh! Save our heritage and create something wonderful out of a past that was sad. Some of the ideas presented sound great! Perhaps you could list a site to send donations toward the restoration?
A lover of Wales!
Cariad,
Carolyn Sheldon
Sat Jul 30 14:29:45 2005
Sue Dolman - Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Some people would like to demolish the workhouse. I can understand their disapproval of past poor law policies. Personally I think that it reminds our children and those to come of a time when attitudes towards poverty permmitted such cruelty.
Thu May 12 11:15:04 2005
Tomos Evans
It should be turned into flats
Fri Mar 4 20:19:09 2005
Nigel Pearson from Shrewsbury
An important part of our heritage which must be preserved
Fri Aug 27 07:22:24 2004
Steve Newman from Stratford upon Avon
Whilst it's original use may appear bleak, it was solidly built to provide work to support all aspects of community life - and that need and potential remains today.
It could, for example, make use of technological advances and house a cluster of innovative and enterprising small businesses, possibly involved in 'creative', 'knowledge' and visitor-related activities. This could encourage business start-up, expand the range of job opportunities locally and encourage 'lifestyle' business relocation into the valley; bringing valuable additional expenditure to local shops and services. Links with the council, school, colleges, existing businesses, visitors, residents, etc are key.
Any feasibility study would need to show the economic realities, but with support of the BBC/council/assembly, it should be possible to transform this magnificent industrial heritage into a viable, unique, and sought-after community of enterprise.
Thu Jul 22 15:02:59 2004
David Lloyd from Llanfechain
For years now, this has been a great opportunity wasted.
Sat Jul 17 08:40:36 2004
Joanne Pearce from Shrewsbury
Because it's full of history, character, charm and memories both good and bad. As a very good man Mr John Hall (who used to own the house)lost his life there, fixing the roof, I think a memorial to John Hall would be a fabulous idea. But to restore this great house would be marvelous. Many thanks Jo Pearce
Thu Jun 24 15:29:26 2004
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