| Country: | Wales |
| Welsh Name: | Arberth |
| Static Image Name: | Narberth town view (2009).jpg |
| Constituency Welsh Assembly: | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire |
| Coordinates: | 51.7989°N -4.7423°W |
| Official Name: | Narberth |
| Unitary Wales: | Pembrokeshire |
| Lieutenancy Wales: | Dyfed |
| Constituency Westminster: | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire |
| Community Wales: | Narberth [1] |
| Post Town: | NARBERTH |
| Postcode District: | SA67 |
| Postcode Area: | SA |
| Dial Code: | 01834 |
| Os Grid Reference: | SN110147 |
| Population: | 2489 |
| Population Ref: | (2011)[2] |
Narberth (Welsh: Arberth) is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was founded around a Welsh court and later became a Norman stronghold on the Landsker Line. It became the headquarters of the hundred of Narberth. It was once a marcher borough. George Owen described it in 1603 as one of nine Pembrokeshire "boroughs in decay".
In 2021, the population of both wards (rural and urban) was 4,100 (rounded to the nearest 100),19.6% of whom are Welsh-speaking.[3] Narberth is close to the A40 trunk road and is on the A478. Narberth railway station is on the main line from Swansea. The community includes the village of Crinow.
The Welsh name of the town, Welsh: Arberth, is a compound of Welsh: ar "on, against" + Welsh: perth "hedge" (cf. Perth in Scotland). The phrase Welsh: yn Arberth "in Narberth" was rebracketed when borrowed into English, giving the present-day English name, Narberth.[4]
In the Iron Age, there was a defended enclosure to the south of the current town centre on Camp Hill.Narberth was founded around a Welsh court, but later became a Norman stronghold on the Landsker Line. It became the headquarters of the hundred of Narberth. It was once a marcher borough. George Owen described it in 1603 as one of nine Pembrokeshire "boroughs in decay".[5] There is a First World War memorial in Market Square with further inscriptions added after the Second World War.
The town plays a high-profile role in Welsh mythology, where it is the chief palace of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, and a key setting in both the first and third branches of the Mabinogi.[6] A drama specially adapted for children based on the story of Culhwch and Olwen from the Mabinogion was staged at Narberth Castle when it was reopened to the public in 2005.
See also: Queen's Hall Narberth. Attractions in the town include several art galleries, the Narberth Museum, Narberth Town Hall, which still houses the cell where the leaders of the Rebecca Riots were imprisoned, and a ruined castle. Narberth has a range of independent shops, including a Daily Telegraph sponsored 'Best Traditional Business',[7] national award-winning butcher, women's boutiques and gift shops, and has developed a reputation as an antiques centre. In 2014, The Guardian called it "not only a gastronomic hub for west Wales but also one of the liveliest, most likeable little towns in the UK".[8]
The town's cultural and arts centre, the Queen's Hall Narberth was where Elton John played his first ever Welsh gig in 1970.[9] The venue has hosted bands including Deep Purple, Status Quo, Desmond Dekker, Hot Chocolate,[10] Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich,[11] Therapy? and The Blockheads. Concerts, plays and classes, such as Kung Fu, yoga and line dancing are held there. It also has a contemporary art gallery and restaurant.
The Bloomfield House Community Centre, a Community association and a registered charity is in Narberth.[12] Other attractions near to Narberth include Blackpool Mill, at the highest tidal reach of the River Cleddau, where Eurasian otters and other wildlife may be seen, and Oakwood Theme Park.
Narberth was named one of the best places to live in Wales in 2017.[13]
There are 70 listed buildings in Narberth.[14]
Narberth was recorded as having a population of roughly 4,100. Of this, 35.6% were between the ages of 50 and 74, below the county average of 36.3%. The largest ethnic group in Narberth is White who make up 97.1% of the population, below the county average of 97.6%, with the second largest being Asian/Asian British with 1.3%, above the county average of 0.9%. The largest religious group in Narberth is No religion with 47% of the population, above the county average of 43%, with the second largest being Christian with 46.1% of the population, below the county average of 48.8%.
Narberth Food Festival has taken place on the fourth weekend of September every year since 1998. The festival features celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, music, entertainment and children's activities.[15]
Narberth Civic Week is held during the last full week of July and includes a parade through the town to one of the churches, where a service is held to welcome the newly appointed Mayor. In 2008, the Civic Service was held in the grounds of Narberth Castle for the first time. During Civic Week, there are various activities arranged for children, families and visitors to the town. The culmination of Civic Week is the annual Carnival Day Parade, a tradition dating back over 100 years. Narberth's Winter Carnival, held in December, was revived in 2009, after a break of 4 years.
The town is also home to the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival, which began in 2008 and is described as Wales' only a cappella festival. It celebrated its tenth anniversary in May 2018.[16]
Narberth is in the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (UK Parliament constituency) and the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Assembly constituency).
Narberth elects a Town Council, which in turn elects a mayor annually.[17] The current mayor is Cllr. Glynis Meredydd and the deputy mayor is Cllr. Elizabeth Rogers
A county councillor is elected to Pembrokeshire County Council every five years from each of Narberth's two local government wards, Narberth (town) and Narberth Rural. In the May 2017 election, independent candidate Elwyn Morse was elected unopposed as county councillor for Narberth Rural.[18]
The ancient parish of Narberth had split into two civil parishes by the nineteenth century, called Narberth North (which included the built up area of the town itself) and Narberth South (where the main settlement was Templeton).[19] When parish and district councils were established in 1894 both Narberth North and Narberth South parishes were included in the Narberth Rural District.[20] Narberth Urban District was created on 1 April 1902, covering a new civil parish called Narberth which was created from part of the Narberth North parish. Narberth South and the reduced Narberth North parish stayed in the Narberth Rural District.[21]
Narberth Urban District Council met at Narberth Town Hall in the High Street. By 1958 the council had also established its main offices at Bank House at 6 St James Street.[22]
Narberth Urban District was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972, merging with other nearby districts to become South Pembrokeshire on 1 April 1974.[23] [24] South Pembrokeshire in turn was abolished in 1996 to become part of a re-established Pembrokeshire.
Narberth is twinned with Ludlow, and both towns celebrate an annual food festival.[26]
Narberth is home to several sporting teams, including Narberth Rugby Football Club who currently play in the Welsh Championship, Narberth Football Club, and a cricket club.
Pwyll Prince of Dyved and Manawyddan the Son of Llyr, translated by Lady Charlotte Guest. Online at www.sacred-texts.com.