Gladestry (Llanfair Llythynwg) is a village and community in Radnorshire, Powys, mid-Wales. The community — comprising the village itself, plus the nearby hamlets of Colva (Colfa), Michaelchurch-on-Arrow (Llanfihangel Dyffryn Arwy) and Newchuch (Llannewydd), covers an area of 53.69 km² and had a population of 438 at the last (2021) UK Census. (A population density of just 8.158/km².)
The village of Gladestry lies on the Offa’s Dyke National Trail close to the border with England at the end of Hergest Ridge, and south of the large moorland area of Radnor Forest. People living in Gladestry rely for the most part on shops, places of work and services in the Welsh Marches town of Kington, some five miles (8 km) over the border in Herefordshire. The book town of Hay-on-Wye, around 10 miles (16 km) to the south, also provides employment, shopping and services. The towns of Presteigne, Brecon, Ludlow, Leominster and Llandrindod Wells, as well as the city of Hereford, are all between about 25-45 minutes’ drive away.
Despite its reliance on local towns for many of life’s necessities, the Gladestry community does boast a thriving agricultural industry, superb tourist facilities, craft workshops, the Royal Oak public house, and four churches — St Mary, Gladestry; St David, Colva; St Michael, Michaelchurch; and St Mary, Newchurch. The Gladestry Church in Wales Primary School has a roll of some 50–60 children, and there is also a fine village hall available for social activities, clubs, societies, and public events.
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