Country: | Wales |
Welsh Name: | Y Bontnewydd-ar-Wy |
Coordinates: | 52.214°N -3.442°W |
Official Name: | Newbridge-on-Wye |
Unitary Wales: | Powys |
Lieutenancy Wales: | Powys |
Constituency Westminster: | Brecon & Radnorshire |
Constituency Welsh Assembly: | Brecon & Radnorshire |
Post Town: | LLANDRINDOD WELLS |
Postcode District: | LD1 |
Postcode Area: | LD |
Dial Code: | 01597 |
Newbridge-on-Wye (Welsh: Y Bontnewydd-ar-Wy) is a small village in Powys, Wales. It lies, as its name suggests, on the River Wye, just downstream from the market town of Rhayader, and in the community of Llanyre.
Newbridge-on-Wye is located roughly in the middle of Wales, and lies 7.1 miles south of Rhayader. The main road running through the village is the A470, running from Rhayader to the north and Builth Wells to the south. The B4358 also passes through the village; it runs from Beulah in the west through to Llandrindod Wells in the east. This road system is useful for commuters traveling from west and north-west Wales to areas in the south.
Newbridge-on-Wye has a rich history as a stopover for drovers, who would transport livestock across various locations. The village's strategic position along the River Wye made it an ideal resting point for drovers, contributing to the establishment of a settlement that included numerous pubs. This historical significance is commemorated by a statue of a drover located on the village green.
In addition to its role as a drover's stop, Newbridge-on-Wye was also home to a railway station on the Mid-Wales Railway until its closure on 31 December 1962. Although the station site has been redeveloped into a housing estate, remnants of the railway's past, such as the old railway bridge, still endure.
Newbridge-on-Wye Football Club plays in the Spar Mid Wales League Division Two. The team's greatest success was during the 2004/2005 season where they won the Mid Wales South League.
There has been a primary school present in Newbridge-on-Wye since 1868. The original school was subsequently replaced by a larger school in 1962. The second school was larger than the previous one, although it still remained relatively small, educating around 80 children in four main classrooms. It is situated just off the main road (A470) and has a large grass playing area at the back of the school. In March 2008 Powys County Council announced that the second school was to be demolished, and a £2.5-million replacement to be built at the same site. Although the initial plan was to renovate the old school the council concluded that it would be more cost effective to build an entirely new one, that will accommodate around 118 pupils and will acquire a lower environmental impact (purportedly a 40% reduced energy consumption).[1] Demolition of the old building started in the summer of 2008, and the new school opened in 2009.
Across the road is the All Saints Church, with which the school is linked. The school holds festivals and services in the church throughout the year.