Bishopston
  • Welsh: Llandeilo Ferwallt
Pwll-Du Bay
Bishopston is located in Swansea
Bishopston
Bishopston
Location within Swansea
Population3,251 (ward 2011)[1]
OS grid referenceSS5888
Community
  • Bishopston
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSWANSEA
Postcode districtSA3
Dialling code01792
PoliceSouth Wales
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament

Bishopston (Welsh: Llandeilo Ferwallt, historically also Llanmerwallt and Llancyngur Trosgardi)[2] is a large village and community situated on the Gower Peninsula, 6 miles (9.7 km) west south west of the centre of Swansea in South Wales.

It is partly within the Gower Peninsula Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The church, located at the head of Bishopston Valley, is dedicated to St Teilo who gives the village its Welsh name. Bishopston gives its name to the Bishopston Mudstone, a name used by geologists to refer to a rock formation with a widespread occurrence in south Wales.

Etymology

The name Bishopston originates from the Norman Conquest, although pre-Norman names for the town vary. One name was Llanmerwall (or Llanmerwallt), and is similar to the modern Welsh name. Two further names are recorded: Porthdulon (or Porthtulon), possibly referring to the area of Caswell, and Llancyngur Trosgardi.[2]

Geography

The Bishopston electoral ward consists of part or all of the following areas: Barland Common, Caswell, Clyne Common (Welsh: Rhos-Glyn), Bishopston (Welsh: Llandeilo-ferwallt), Manselfield (Welsh: Maesyfaen), Murton (Welsh: Morthw), and Oldway (Welsh: Henlôn) in the parliamentary constituency of Gower.

It is bounded by the Bristol Channel to the south; and the wards of: Pennard (Welsh: Llanarthbodu) to the west; Fairwood (Welsh: Llwynffair) to the north; and Mayals, West Cross (Welsh: Crwys Fawr) and Newton (Welsh: Trenewydd) to the east.

Beaches

Caswell Bay is a popular local beach due to its facilities and accessibility by car and seasonal bus services. Other Bishopston beaches, such as Pwlldu Bay and Brandy Cove, which can only be visited on foot, see fewer visitors.

Population and housing

Bishopston is one of the largest villages on the Gower peninsula. Its population has increased steadily from the beginning of the 19th century. In 1801, the first census of England and Wales reported that 303 people were living in 73 houses in the parish of Bishopston. By 1931 the population had increased to around 1,500 people living in 369 houses.[3] In 2001 the population of the village was 3,341.[4] The village experienced significant growth between the First and Second World Wars and in the 1960s.

Bishopston's rural location has influenced the pattern of its development. Most houses are detached or semi-detached and have large gardens. As a result, property in the area is expensive by South Wales standards. Nearly all of the property in Bishopston is privately owned, with only 1% of homes rented from the local authority.[4]

Bishopston and the Gower was named one of the best places to live in Wales in 2017.[5]

Shops and facilities

Bishopston has several shops including a Co-op. Other local services include a hotel and cafe, three public houses, a petrol station, retirement homes, post office, church halls, sports hall, gym, medical centre and children's play area.

A group of local teenagers has campaigned since 2018 for a pump track to be built in the area, with Mansel Green having been chosen as the preferred site. As of September 2021, planning permission for the track had not been granted.[6]

Education

Bishopston Primary School and Bishopston Comprehensive School provide education locally. The first phase of a £13.8m refurbishment was completed at the comprehensive school in 2021, comprising science labs and a drama studio.[7]

Sport

Bishopston has its own rugby club, South Gower RFC, and a football side named South Gower AFC.

References

  1. ↑ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 Williams, Nino (11 January 2020). "The lost Welsh place names of Gower". walesonline. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Orrin, G. R (1982) A History of Bishopston, Gomer Press. ISBN 0-85088-507-8
  4. 1 2 Electoral Division Profile, Swansea .gov.uk
  5. ↑ "These towns have been named as the best places to live in Wales". Wales Online.
  6. ↑ Youle, Richard (20 September 2021). "BMX and skate project faces another big challenge". WalesOnline. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "First phase of £13.8m Bishopston school revamp completed". Swansea Bay News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
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