View source for Llantwit Major

{{Short description|Town in Wales}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                     = Wales
| welsh_name                  = Llanilltud Fawr
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Vale of Glamorgan]]
| static_image_name           = Llantwit Major, East Street.jpg
| static_image_caption        = East Street
| coordinates                 = {{coord|51.40623|-3.47503|display=inline,title}}
| official_name               = Llantwit Major
| unitary_wales               = [[Vale of Glamorgan]]
| lieutenancy_wales           = [[South Glamorgan]]
| constituency_westminster    = [[Vale of Glamorgan (UK Parliament constituency)|Vale of Glamorgan]]
| post_town                   = LLANTWIT MAJOR
| postcode_district           = CF61
| postcode_area               = CF
| dial_code                   = 01446
| os_grid_reference           = SS975685
| population                  = 9,486
| population_ref              = (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11125987&c=Llantwit+Major&d=16&e=62&g=6494408&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1428659066110&enc=1|title=Community population 2011 |access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref>
| community_wales             = Llantwit Major<ref>{{cite web |title=Llantwit Major Town Council Website |url=https://llantwitmajortowncouncil.gov.uk/ |website =Llantwit Major Town Council |access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>
| module=  {{Collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none;text-align:center; padding:0; |title=Community map
|1=[[File:Wales Vale of Glamorgan Community Llantwit Major map.svg|240px]]<br />Map of the community
}}
}}
{{wide image|Llantwit Major Beach, Oct 2023 01.jpg|650px|Llantwit Major beach|45%|right}}
'''Llantwit Major''' ({{langx|cy|Llanilltud Fawr}}) is a town and [[community (Wales)|community]] in [[Wales]] on the [[Bristol Channel]] coast. It is one of four towns in the [[Vale of Glamorgan]], with the third largest population (13,366 in 2001) after [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan|Barry]] and [[Penarth]], and ahead of [[Cowbridge]]. It is {{convert|4+1/2|mi}} from Cowbridge, {{convert|9|mi}} from [[Bridgend]], {{convert|10|mi}} from Barry, and {{convert|15|mi}} from [[Cardiff]]. It had a population of 9,530 in 2021.

''Llanilltud Fawr'', named for the [[Llan (placename)|Llan]] (land) of [[Saint Illtud]], was home to the Monastery of Illtud and the college known as Bangor Illtyd. It became one of the most esteemed centres of Christian culture in the [[Celtic Britons|Celtic]] world. At its peak it had over 2,000 students, including princes, eminent clergymen, and revered saints. The institutions were destroyed by the raiding [[Vikings]] in 987, but [[Anglo-Normans|Normans]] rebuilt the monastery in 1111 and it continued to be a centre of learning until it was disbanded in 1539 during the [[dissolution of the monasteries]]. The 13th-century [[St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major|St Illtyd's Church]], near the ancient monastery, is a [[Grade I listed building]] and one of Wales's oldest parish churches.

In the 20th century, the modern town developed rapidly to accommodate [[Royal Air Force]] personnel from the [[MOD St Athan|St Athan base]]. Remnants of the medieval cobbled streets can be seen adjacent to the 12th-century Old Swan Inn, and numerous buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries remain.

Colhugh Beach is a popular surfing venue and has the remnants of an [[Iron Age]] fort and some of Wales' finest examples of [[Jurassic]] fossils. The pebble beach and its clifftops are protected as part of the [[Glamorgan Heritage Coast]], which stretches for {{convert|14|mi}} from [[Gileston]] to the east to [[Southerndown]] and Newton Point to the west.

==Etymology==
The [[St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major|parish church]] glosses the Welsh name of the town rather literally as "Illtud's Great Church".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.southshields-sanddancers.co.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=26076|title=Llantwit Major Parish Church|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> However, the name used in English means "Greater". The epithet ''fawr'' distinguishes this Llantwit from [[Llantwit Fardre]] (''{{lang|cy|Llanilltud Faerdref}}'') near [[Pontypridd]] and Llantwit Minor (''{{lang|cy|Llanilltud Fach}}''; also known as Llantwit-juxta-Neath and Lower Llantwit)<ref>Davies, Elwyn. ''A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names''. University of Wales Press (Cardiff), 1967. {{ISBN|0-7083-1038-9}}.</ref> near [[Neath]]. The [[Welsh toponymy|Welsh place-name]] element ''[[llan (placename)|llan]]''<ref>[[cognate]] with the English word ''lawn'' (meaning an open space, which was borrowed into Middle English from French, which borrowed it from Gaulish)</ref> referred to the sanctified community around an early Christian settlement in Wales and its [[parish]], rather than merely the church itself (''{{lang|cy|eglwys}}'').

==History==
===Prehistory===
Llantwit Major has been inhabited for over 3,000 years: archaeological evidence has shown that it was occupied in [[Neolithic]] times. The remains of an [[Iron Age]] fort are in its beach area.

===Roman villa===
{{Main|Llantwit Major Roman Villa}}
The [[Llantwit Major Roman Villa|Roman villa]] at Caermead ({{Coord|51.4192|-3.4989|type:landmark}}) remains as faint earthworks in a field, near the 13th-century [[parish church]] of St Illtud. The L-shaped [[courtyard]] villa was discovered in 1888. Records from 1893 suggest that one room was used as a [[praetorium]], another as a workshop; and there was a 5th-century adjoining [[sacristy]], simple in style, which featured a chancel, nave, and stone altar. Found remains included [[Brachycephaly|brachycephalic]] and [[Cephalic index|dolichocephalic]] skulls, as well as horse bones.<ref name="Fryer1893">{{cite book|last=Fryer|first=Alfred Cooper|title=Llantwit Major: a fifth century university|url=https://archive.org/details/llantwitmajoraf00fryegoog|access-date=25 January 2012|edition=Public domain|year=1893|publisher=E. Stock|pages=[https://archive.org/details/llantwitmajoraf00fryegoog/page/n113 87]–}}</ref> Fine [[mosaic]] floors are a notable feature of the villa. The [[tessera]]e included blue and crystalline limestone, green volcanic stones, brown sandstone, and red-brick cuttings, encircled with a red, white, blue and brown border. A record from 1907 described the relics as [[Samian ware]] pieces; bronze coins of [[Maximinus Thrax]], [[Victorinus]], and [[Constantius Chlorus]]; as well as roofing materials.<ref name="Morris1907">{{cite book|last=Morris|first=A.|title=Glamorgan: being an outline of its geography, history, and antiquities with maps and illustrations|url=https://archive.org/details/glamorgan00unkngoog|access-date=25 January 2012|edition=Public domain|year=1907|publisher=J.E. Southall|pages=[https://archive.org/details/glamorgan00unkngoog/page/n178 157]–}}</ref>

The site was again excavated between 1938 and 1948. It may have been first settled in the 1st century, but the first stone structure was not erected until a hundred years later. The site developed slowly and, it has been suggested, was even abandoned for a while during the 3rd century. By the 4th century, there was an L-shaped villa with a large, aisled building possibly for farm workers, and a number of smaller agricultural structures almost enclosing a central courtyard. The [[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales]] has associated collection records of the site, including drawings of other remains such as statues and a tessellated pavement, as well as documentation of a 1971 excavation. An early-medieval-period cemetery is in evidence,<ref name="peoplescollection.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.peoplescollection.org.uk/Item/30337|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121225003925/http://www.peoplescollection.org.uk/Item/30337|url-status=usurped|archive-date=25 December 2012|title=Drawing of a mosaic at Caermead Roman Villa |year=2011|publisher=Casgliad y Werin Cymru, The People's Collection Wales |access-date=25 January 2012}}</ref> as are earthworks, traces of walling, a bank and a ditch. Pieces of pottery have been found.<ref name="coflein.gov.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/301356/collection/CAERMEAD+ROMAN+SITE%3BLLANTWIT+MAJOR+ROMAN+VILLA/?show=all|title=CAERMEAD ROMAN SITE;LLANTWIT MAJOR ROMAN Villa|publisher=RCAHMW|access-date=25 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105653/http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/301356/collection/CAERMEAD+ROMAN+SITE%3BLLANTWIT+MAJOR+ROMAN+VILLA/?show=all|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

===Côr Tewdws===
{{Main|Côr Tewdws}}

According to the 18th-century historian of ill-repute, [[Iolo Morganwg]], the Côr Tewdws or 'College of Theodosius' was established in the late 4th century at a place at or near Llantwit Major called Caer Worgorn by co-founders Emperor Theodosius and [[Constantine III (Western Roman emperor)|Custennin Fendigaid]], but was later burnt to the ground by Irish pirates and abandoned.<ref name=Iolo>{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Taliesin |date=1888 |title=Iolo Manuscripts |url=https://archive.org/details/iolomanuscriptss00willuoft |location=Liverpool |publisher=I Foulkes |page=}}</ref> Morganwg's works have since been discredited.<ref name=DWB>{{Cite web |url=https://biography.wales/article/s2-WILL-JOH-1892 |title=WILLIAMS, GRIFFITH JOHN (1892–1963), University professor and Welsh scholar |first=Aneirin |last=Lewis |website=Dictionary of Welsh Biography |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref>

===Saint Illtud's College===
{{Main|Illtud}}
[[File:St Illtyd in Holy Trinity Church, Abergavenny.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Saint Illtud]], who gives his name to the town]]
[[Germanus of Auxerre]] and [[Lupus of Troyes]] made at least one visit to Britain in AD 429 and founded or refounded a number of ecclesiastic establishments across South Wales. It was at this time that [[Saint Illtud]] came to the Hodnant valley. Although he is said to have been born in [[Brittany]], Illtud had fought as a soldier in Wales before renouncing his former life at the behest of [[Saint Cadoc]]. What is certain is that Illtud oversaw the growth of a pioneering monastery and associated college called Bangor Illtyd, on the Ogney Brook, close to the current [[St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major|St Illtyd's Church]]. Together these institutions became the first great hub of [[Celtic Christianity]] and teaching.<ref name="St. Illtud">{{cite web|title=St. Illtud|url=http://www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk/britains-earliest-centre-of-learning/saint-illtud/|work=Lent with the Celtic Saints|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033649/http://www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk/britains-earliest-centre-of-learning/saint-illtud/|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LMH">{{cite web|url=http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/townhistory.html |title=Town history |publisher=Llantwit Major History.org.uk |access-date=22 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222222150/http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/townhistory.html |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Jones2002">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Andrew|title=Every pilgrim's guide to Celtic Britain and Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LkdgnMv3D2QC&pg=PA70|year=2002|publisher=Canterbury|isbn=978-1-85311-453-3|page=70}}</ref><ref name="PalmerPalmer2000"/>

Under Illtud and his successors, Bangor Illtyd and the monastery grew in reputation both as the origin of many prominent Celtic evangelists and as a major centre of scholarly education. As such, it began to attract scholars from across the Celtic and wider world.<ref name="BarberPykitt1997">{{cite book|last1=Barber|first1=Chris|last2=Pykitt|first2=David|title=Journey to Avalon: The Final Discovery of King Arthur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkcY3BalVb4C&pg=PA114|year=1997|publisher=Weiser Books|isbn=978-1-57863-024-0|page=114}}</ref> The college itself was said to be the oldest in the world, consisting of seven halls, 400 houses and more than 2,000 students at its peak,<ref name="Society1908">{{cite book|author=Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society|title=Transactions – Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_aYKAQAAIAAJ|year=1908|publisher=The Society.|page=33}}</ref> including seven sons of British princes, and scholars such as [[St. Patrick]], [[St. Paul Aurelian]], the bard [[Taliesin]], [[Gildas]] the historian, [[Samson of Dol]], and [[St. David]] are believed to have spent some time there.<ref name="Hall1861">{{cite book|last=Hall|first=Mrs. Samuel Carter|title=The book of south Wales, the Wye, and the coast|publisher=Virtue & Company|url=https://archive.org/details/booksouthwalesw00hallgoog|access-date=22 January 2012|year=1861|pages=[https://archive.org/details/booksouthwalesw00hallgoog/page/n269 252]–}}</ref><ref name="Williams2001"/> Samson was known to have been summoned by [[Dyfrig]] to join the monastery in 521 and he was briefly elected abbot before leaving for Cornwall.<ref name="(Brother.)2003">{{cite book|author=Tristam (Brother.)|title=Exciting holiness: collects and readings for the festivals and lesser festivals of the calendars of the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church in Wales|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J1svVTs6uEsC&pg=PA305|date=July 2003|publisher=Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd|isbn=978-1-85311-479-3|page=305}}</ref> King [[Hywel ap Rhys (Glywysing)|Hywel ap Rhys]] (d. 886) was buried at the monastery.

===Norman and early modern eras===
The college suffered during the invasions of the [[Saxons]] and the [[Danes]], and was destroyed by the [[Vikings]] in 987 and again by the [[Normans]] in the late 11th century.<ref name="Jones2002"/><ref name="PalmerPalmer2000">{{cite book|last1=Palmer|first1=Martin|last2=Palmer|first2=Nigel|title=The spiritual traveler: England, Scotland, Wales : the guide to sacred sites and pilgrim routes in Britain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ApJdpga6_LsC&pg=PA232|year=2000|publisher=Hidden Spring|isbn=978-1-58768-002-1|page=232}}</ref> In 1111 it is documented as being restored, but likely in a lesser state than the original. It is known to have continued to function as a monastic school until the 16th-century [[Reformation]]. The ruins of the original school house are located in a garden on the northern end of the churchyard and the monastic halls were located in a place called Hill-head on the north side of the [[Tithe barns in Europe|tithe-barn]].<ref name="Hall1861"/> Although nothing of the original monastery remains, the present church was originally built between 950 and 1400 and its earliest existing secular buildings date from the 15th century.<ref name="LMH"/> The church and school became the property of [[Tewkesbury Abbey]] around 1130 after becoming part of the Norman kingdom of Glamorgan.

After the [[dissolution of the monasteries]] by [[Henry VIII]] during the Reformation, it became independent from Tewkesbury in 1539.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk/2011/04/spring-lecture-history-recalled-at-st-illtuds/|title=St Illtud's Galilee Chapel, St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major|publisher=Illtuds Galilee Chapel|access-date=22 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107113456/http://www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk/2011/04/spring-lecture-history-recalled-at-st-illtuds/|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[St Donat's Castle]], {{convert|1+1/2|mi}} to the west, was built in the 13th century.<ref name="Murray1860" /><ref name="Fry2005">{{cite book|author=Plantagenet Somerset Fry|title=Castles: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland : the Definitive Guide to the Most Impressive Buildings and Intriguing Sites|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5C-PawQ0tjcC&pg=PA205|year=2005|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=978-0-7153-2212-3|page=205}}</ref>

===Modern era===
In the 20th century, Llantwit developed into a dormitory town and grew about 15 times in size to accommodate the [[Royal Air Force]] at [[MOD St Athan|St Athan]].<ref name="LMH"/> Despite its modernization and rapid growth, it retains its pre-modern feel with its narrow winding streets, high walls, old town hall and gatehouse, and several inns and houses dated to the 16th century.<ref name="Commons1963">{{cite book|author=Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons|title=Parliamentary papers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G5oMAQAAIAAJ|year=1963|publisher=HMSO|page=170}}</ref> [[Llantwit Major railway station]] on the [[Vale of Glamorgan Line]] was reopened in June 2005. In 2014, it was rated one of the most attractive [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|postcode]] areas to live in Wales.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK's 'most desirable' postcodes revealed|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28918709|work=BBC News}}</ref>

==Geography==
Llantwit Major is located in southeast Wales and mid-west along the coast of the [[Vale of Glamorgan]]. The town can be accessed from the north directly by the B4268 road and indirectly by the B4270 road (St. Athan road) which branches from the [[A48 road]],<ref name="Jones2002"/> and directly by the [[B4265 road]] which leads to [[Bridgend]] in the northwest and [[Cardiff Airport]] and [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan|Barry]] in the east. It is one of four towns in the Vale of Glamorgan with the third largest population after Barry and [[Penarth]], and ahead of [[Cowbridge]], which is about {{convert|4+1/2|mi}} to the northeast. Llantwit Major is about {{convert|9|mi}} from Bridgend, 10 miles from Barry and about {{convert|15|mi}} from Cardiff.<ref name=OS170>{{cite map|title=Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 170 ''Vale of Glamorgan (West Porthcawl & Rhondda)''|ISBN= 9780319232866 |publisher=Ordnance Survey|date=2013}}</ref> [[Boverton]] is an eastern suburb of Llantwit.

The River Ogney, runs through the town and joins the streams [Hoddnant and Boverton Brook] which flow in from Eglwys Brewis in the northeast; these then merge and become the Afon Colhuw, which meanders down the Colhuw meadows before discharging through an outfall into the sea. The Llantwit Major area is built on a range of different levels and the town itself is sloping. At the lower coastal level is the flat, glacial Colhugh Valley, marked by steep cliffs on both sides, leading to a pebble beach.<ref name="FON">{{cite web|url=http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/beachguide/beachguide.php/location/43/Llantwit%20Major|title=Llantwit Major Beach|publisher=Forces of Nature.co.uk|access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref> The beach, located to the south of the town ({{Coord|51.396667|-3.500833|type:landmark}}), has the remains of an ancient old stone wall from the large Iron Age hill fort, Castle Ditches. The steep cliffs at Llantwit which allow walks along the coast to [[St Donat's Castle]] and [[Atlantic College]] have undergone dramatic [[erosion]] in recent years: in many places, the rock structure has collapsed in piles, particularly on the eastern face.

The cliff path, once set about {{convert|100|yards|-1}} from the edge is now within metres of the nature pathway, and the [[Vale of Glamorgan]] Council has installed extensive new barriers to prevent fatalities. The {{convert|14|mi}} of coastline from [[Gileston]] in the east to Newton Point in the west, passing through [[St Donat's]] and [[Southerndown]], is protected as part of the [[Glamorgan Heritage Coast]]. [[Tresilian Bay]] is between Llantwit Major and St Donat's. Along this stretch of coast the cliff path winds through numerous valleys.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/llantwitmajor/pages/llantwitguide.shtml |title=Llantwit Guide |last=Renee |first=Rob |date=6 April 2006 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206204438/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/llantwitmajor/pages/llantwitguide.shtml |archive-date=6 February 2010 }}</ref> Llantwit Major beach has one of the finest sites in Wales for [[Jurassic]] fossils, including [[coral]]s, giant [[brachiopods]], [[gastropods]] and the bones of [[Ichthyosaurus]].

The beach is popular with summer tourists, and has a campsite on the nearby fields. The beach has a snack bar and restaurant and associated amenities to cater for the increased public demand in recent years. There is an expansive rocky beach at low tide, with a stretch of sand towards the far west, and views of the [[Bristol Channel]] and the coastline of [[Somerset]], with the landmark white roof of [[Butlins]], [[Minehead]].

===Climate===
{{St Athan weatherbox}}

==Economy==
[[File:Boverton Road, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 293910.jpg|thumb|Boverton Road]]
[[File:Pound Field, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1107555.jpg|thumb|''The Precinct'']]
Llantwit Major is a small town which is largely dependent on local retail and earnings from further afield. The majority of the inhabitants commute to work elsewhere, especially Cardiff or Bridgend. During the summer months tourism is important to the town which has "The Precinct", Rainbow Plaza and several pubs and restaurants. Of note are the Old Swan Inn, Old White Hart Inn, The Tudor Tavern, and the 17th century West House Country Hotel Heritage Restaurant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westhouse-hotel.co.uk/index.html|title=Welcome|publisher=Wethouse Hotel.co.uk|access-date=17 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907053906/http://www.westhouse-hotel.co.uk/index.html|archive-date=7 September 2011}}</ref>

[[Llantwit Major railway station]] on the [[Vale of Glamorgan Line]] reopened in June 2005. Passenger services are operated by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]] as part of the [[Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes]] network.

Although it is much less known than [[Porthcawl]] further down the coast, Llantwit Major has considerable renown in South Wales as a surfing location. The beach has a [[lifeguard]] station funded by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, built in the late 1990s, functioning during the summer months.<ref name="FON"/> There is a beach cafe and often organised walks.<ref name="DaltonStone2009">{{cite book|last1=Dalton|first1=Nick|last2=Stone|first2=Deborah|title=Frommer's Wales With Your Family: From Cliff-top Castles to Sandy Coves|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evah8S5hyt8C&pg=PA75|year=2009|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-72320-3|page=75}}</ref>

The Victorian Fair Day, established in 1983, is usually held in June on the Saturday nearest to the 22nd of the month, with a Victorian theme which attracts people from across southern Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianfairday.co.uk/ |title=Explanation of Victorian Fair Day |publisher=Victorian Fair Day.co.uk |access-date=25 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606134420/http://www.victorianfairday.co.uk/ |archive-date=6 June 2011 }}</ref> The town has several supermarkets including [[Co-op Food]] and [[Filco Foods|Filco]], and a town library. The local artistic community supports a number of arts and crafts shops, some selling locally made pottery and other ceramics.

==Governance==
A [[Llantwit Major (electoral ward)|Llantwit Major]] [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]] exists, covering Llantwit Major community but also stretching west to [[St. Donats]]. The total population of this ward at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] was 10,621.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/llantwit-major-w05000645#sthash.12bs8Zoh.dpbs|title=Ward population 2011 |access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> Since 2008 the ward has been represented my councillors from the local interest party, [[Llantwit First Independents]].

The town is governed by the Llantwit Major [[town council]] consisting of fifteen councillors. There are fifteen [[Independent (politician)|independent councillors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llantwitmajortowncouncil.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=57 |title=Council |publisher=Llantwit Major Town Council |access-date=25 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006210623/http://www.llantwitmajortowncouncil.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=57 |archive-date=6 October 2011 }}</ref> At the May 2017 elections [[Llantwit First Independents]] won 12 of the seats. Councillor Mrs Jayne Norman was elected Mayor of Llantwit Major Town Council on 11 May 2017. Llantwit Major also comes under the administration of the [[Vale of Glamorgan]] [[unitary authority]]. Llantwit Major is [[town twinning|twinned]] with [[Le Pouliguen]], [[France]].

==Notable landmarks==
===Listed buildings===
{{hidden begin|border=solid #aaa 1px|title=Listed buildings in Llantwit Major and Boverton}}

The following are the listed buildings in Llantwit Major and Boverton. The listings are graded:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major|Parish Church of St. Illtud]] (I)
*Churchyard cross, Church Street (II)
*Churchyard walls and gates to St. Illtud's Church, Burial Lane (II)
*Mid well, Bakers Lane (II)
*Circular walls and steps at West End Pond (II)
*Batslays Farmhouse (II)
*Boverton Park House (previously Boverton Place Farmhouse) (II)
*Boverton Place (II)*
*'The Causeway' (previously No. 4. The Causeway and "Navron") (II)
*'Navron' (previously No. 4. The Causeway and "Navron") (II)
*Walls surrounding garden to west of Boverton House (previously doorway and walls of garden to west of Boverton House) (II)
*Boverton House and attached stable block (II)
*Garden walls and railings of Boverton House (II)
*Wall and gateway opposite Boverton House (II)
*Cherry Tree Cottage (previously Nos. 1 and 2, Boverton Court Farm or Boverton Court Cottage) (II)
*Tudor cottage (previously Nos. 1 and 2, Boverton Court Farm or Boverton Court Cottage) (II)
*Orchard House (II)
*The Town Hall (previously the Old Town Hall) (II*)
*Former chantry/priest's house, Burial Lane (II)
*Chantry house, Hillhead (II)
*Old Place or Llantwit Major Castle (II)
*Forecourt wall of Old Place (II)
*Old Plas Cottage, West Street (II)
*Well opposite Downcross Farm, West Street (II)
*Downcross Farmhouse, including front garden wall (previously Downcross Farm, West Street) (II)
*Footbridge over stream, west entrance to St. Illtud's Churchyard, Church of St. Illtud (II)
*The gatehouse, Church Lane, (former porter's room) (II*)
*Dovecote, Church Lane (II*)
*The Old Swan Inn public house (II*)
*Tudor Tavern public house (II)
*1 Church Street (previously Nos. 1 and 1A, Church Street) (II)
*Quaintways with attached garden wall (previously Ty Ny and southern wing of Quaintways, Colhugh Street) (II)
*Ty Ny with attached garden wall (previously Ty Ny and southern wing of Quaintways, Colhugh Street) (II)
*To-Hesg (previously Ty Hesg) Colhugh Street (II)
*Old Rosedew House (previously Rosedew, Colhugh Street) (II)
*Rosedew, Colhugh St (II)
*Bethel Baptist Church, Commercial Street (II)
*The Old House, Court Close (previously House to north-east of Pear Tree Cottage, High Street) (II)
*Plymouth House, Plymouth Street (previously Plymouth House (including mounting block)) (II)
*Garden Wall, gate, mounting block, and stables at Plymouth House (II)
*[[Dimlands|Lodge to Dimlands]], Dimlands Road (II)
*Tyle House (II)
*Bethesda’r Fro Chapel with attached mounting block, Eglwys Brewis Road (II)
*Forecourt and graveyard gates, gatepiers and walls of Bethesda’r Fro Chapel, Eglwys Brewis Road (II)
*Malta House, 1 Flanders Road (II)
*2 Flanders Road (II)
*The Cottage with attached garden walls, 4 Flanders Road (previously Nos. 3 and 4, Flanders Road) (II)
*Flanders Farmhouse, Flanders Road (II)
*Garden wall and gate of Flanders Road (II)
*Lower House (previously Lower House Farm) Flanders Road (II)
*Great Frampton (II)
*Barn and stable range at Great Frampton Farmhouse (II)
*Court House, High Street (II)
*Sunny Bank, with attached garden walls, High Street (II)
*Outhouse at Sunnybank (II)
*Ty Mawr or Great House, High Street (II*)
*The Old Police Station, Hillhead (II)
*Little Frampton Farmhouse (II)
*Brooklands Cottage, Methodist Lane (II)
*Summerhouse Fort, Summerhouse Camp (II)
*Summerhouse Tower, Summerhouse Camp (II)
*Fonmon Cottage (previously Fonmon House) Station Road (II)
*War Memorial, (Formerly base of war memorial), The Square (II)
*Telephone call-box, outside Old White Hart public house (II)
*Pear Tree Cottage with attached wall and mounting block (previously Corner House and Pear Tree Cottage [including mounting block], Turkey Street) (II)
*Corner House (previously Corner House and Pear Tree Cottage (including mounting block), Turkey Street) (II)
*Rewley Court (previously Rawley Court), Turkey Street (II)
*West Farm, West Street, (previously West Farmhouse and garden walls) (II)
*Front Garden Wall to West Farm (II)
*Walls to [detached] garden to West Farm on south-east side of West Street (II)
*Hill Cottage, West Street (II)
*Swimbridge Farmhouse, with attached garden walls, Westhill Street (II)
*The Swine Bridge, Westhill Street (II)
*Downs Farmhouse, Wick Road (II)
*Circular pigsty, Downs Farm, Wick Road (II)
*Windmill House (previously Frampton Windmill) Windmill Lane (II)
*Old White Hart Inn public house, Wine Street (II)
*The Old School, including attached walling, Wine Street (previously The Old Rectory, former presbytery and Llanilltud Fawr County Junior School)
{{div col end}}

{{hidden end}}
<gallery>
File:Llantwit Major, Glamorganshire.jpeg|Engraving ca. 1835
File:Boverton Place - geograph.org.uk - 1769261.jpg|Boverton Place
File:The Tudor Tavern, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1145866.jpg|The Tudor Tavern
File:Old White Hart. Llantwit Major. - geograph.org.uk - 376891.jpg|Old White Hart Inn
File:Llantwit Major Dovecote, Oct 2023 02 (cropped).jpg|Dovecote, Church Lane
File:War Memorial, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1114263.jpg|War memorial
</gallery>

====St Illtyd's Church and monastery====
{{main|Illtud|St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major}}
[[File:St Illtud, Llantwit Major, Glamorgan, Wales - geograph.org.uk - 544796.jpg|thumb|right|The Church of St Illtyd, Llantwit Major]]
[[File:St Illtud, Llantwit Major, Glamorgan, Wales - Chancel - geograph.org.uk - 544786.jpg|thumb|upright|Interior of the church]]
The foundation of St. Illtyd's Church dates back to the [[Age of the Saints]] in early Welsh Christianity and thus by its very existence provides evidence of continuity with sub-Roman Christianity. The town grew up around the ''Bangor Illtyd'' ("Illtyd's college").<ref name="Newell1887">{{cite book|last=Newell|first=Ebenezer Josiah|title=A popular history of the ancient British church: with special reference to the church in Wales|url=https://archive.org/details/apopularhistory01newegoog|access-date=25 January 2012|edition=Public domain|year=1887|publisher=Society for promoting Christian knowledge|pages=[https://archive.org/details/apopularhistory01newegoog/page/n125 115]–}}</ref> Saint David, [[Samson of Dol|Saint Samson]], Saint [[Paul Aurelian]], Saint [[Gildas]], [[Saint Tudwal]], [[Saint Baglan]] and king Maelgwn Gwynedd are said to have studied at the divinity school. It  was  founded around AD 508 by St Illtyd as a centre of learning. The school is said to have stood on the north side of the churchyard; and the monastery was situated north of the [[tithe barn]] on Hill Head.<ref name="TheArt1860">{{cite book|title=The art journal London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vY1CAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA217|edition=Public domain|year=1860|publisher=Virtue|page=217}}</ref>

The elongated church ({{Coord|51.4081|-3.4878|type:landmark}}), a conglomeration of distinct buildings, is divided into two areas by a wall, a 13th-century monastery church, and the [[Norman architecture|Norman]] parish church. The eastern section contains interesting [[Middle Ages|medieval]] wall paintings with religious themes, and a fine [[reredos]]. The western section, a [[Lady chapel]], {{convert|40.5|ft}} in length,<ref name="TheArt1860" /> contains a small museum housing the Llanilltud Collection of Celtic Stones, including a pillar and two inscribed stones of major importance. One commemorates  King [[Rhys ab Arthfael]] of [[Kingdom of Morgannwg|Morgannwg]] who died in the mid-9th century.<ref name="Newell1887" /> The church contains a [[curfew bell]] and medieval priest [[effigy|effigies]].<ref name="Williams2001">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Peter N.|title=The Sacred Places of Wales: A Modern Pilgrimage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PA-0mLsrmMwC&pg=PA21|date=March 2001|publisher=Wales Books|isbn=978-0-7596-0785-9|page=21}}</ref> The older church is {{convert|64|ft}} long; the newer church was built by [[Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick|Richard Neville]].<ref name="Newell1887" /> The grounds also include a 13th-century gatehouse, a monks' pigeon-house, ruined walls in a garden area, and mounds near the vicarage.<ref name="Newell1887" />

==== Town Hall====
{{main|Llantwit Major Town Hall}}
[[File:The Town Hall, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1147207.jpg|thumb|left|[[Llantwit Major Town Hall]]]]
Manorial records indicate that the Town Hall ({{Coord|51.4076|-3.4848|type:landmark}}) dates to the 15th century but it is often attributed to [[Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester|Gilbert de Clare]], Lord of Glamorgan, who died much earlier in 1295.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> It then functioned as a manor and a meeting venue for the court to organise duties and collect rents and at weekends held fairs.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> It was renovated in the late 16th century and over the years the lower floor functioned as a school, a slaughterhouse and a jail and the top floor a venue for church meetings, leased to Oddfellows in the 1830s.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> Aside from fairs it also held plays, concerts and dances. It became a Grade: II* listed building on 22 February 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-13248-the-town-hall-llantwit-major/photos|title=The Town Hall, Llantwit Major|publisher=British Listed Buildings|access-date=25 January 2012}}</ref> It features a bell with the inscription, ''Sancte Iltute, ora pro nobis'' ("Saint Illtyd, pray for us").<ref>Newell, p. 116</ref> It is reached by a flight of steps.<ref name="Murray1860">{{cite book|last=Murray|first=John|title=A handbook for travellers in South Wales and its borders, including the river Wye: With a travelling map|url=https://archive.org/details/ahandbookfortra07firgoog|access-date=26 January 2012|edition=Public domain|year=1860|publisher=J. Murray|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ahandbookfortra07firgoog/page/n55 15]–}}</ref>

==== Great House====
[[File:The Great House, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 293920.jpg|thumb|right|The Great House]]
The Great House ({{Coord|51.412361|-3.488173|type:landmark}}), located along the road to Cowbridge, on the northern outskirts originally dated from the 14th century when it consisted of just a square central section, but significant additions have made it an excellent example of a Tudor "Ty mawr" (Great House). A northern wing with a stable and dovecot were amongst the added parts.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings">{{cite web|url=http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/buildings.html|title=Buildings|publisher=Llantwit Major Local History Society|access-date=29 July 2012|year=2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531230655/http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/buildings.html|archive-date=31 May 2012}}</ref> The house was occupied by the Nicholl family for centuries but by the 1920s it had been abandoned and fell into a heavily dilapidated state.<ref name="Coflein GH">{{cite web|url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/18850/details/GREAT+HOUSE%3BTY+MAWR%2C+HIGH+STREET%2C+LLANTWIT+MAJOR/|title=Great House; Ty Mawr, High Street, Llantwit Major|work=Coflein|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales|date=12 December 2005|access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> The building was bought and restored to its former glory in the 1950s.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/>

==== Dove cote and gatehouse====
Covered by a [[Cloister vault|domical vault]],<ref name="Association1903">{{cite book|author=Cambrian Archaeological Association|title=Archaeologia cambrensis|url=https://archive.org/details/archaeologiacam07assogoog|access-date=25 January 2012|edition=Public domain|year=1903|publisher=W. Pickering|pages=[https://archive.org/details/archaeologiacam07assogoog/page/n850 322]–}}</ref> the Dove Cote ({{Coord|51.406414|-3.48913|type:landmark}}) is a Grade II* listed tall 13th-century cylindrical column in a middle of the Hill Head field, which lies in close proximity to St Illtuds Church, next to the site of the old tithe barn, built for the monks at the St. Illtud's monastery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/307122/sites/LLANTWIT+MAJOR%2C+GRANGE/|title=Llantwit Major Grange; Associated Sites|work=Coflein|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales|access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-13253-dovecote-llantwit-major|title=Dovecot, Llantwit Major|publisher=British Listed Buildings|access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> Another site on Hill Head is the (13th–14th century) [[gatehouse]], now belonging to [[St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major]]. Today these are the only remaining buildings which at one time belonged to Tewkesbury Abbey.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> There is a plaque on the gatehouse, telling of its history.

====The Old Place====
[[File:The Old Place, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1050092.jpg|thumb|left|"The Old Place"]]
The Old Place ({{Coord|51.407665|-3.489745|type:landmark}}) is a ruin of an Elizabethan manor house, built by Griffith Williams for his daughter and son-in-law Edmund Vann in 1596. It is often mistakenly called Llantwit Castle.<ref name="LMH"/> The Williams family were successful lawyers and part of the rising minor gentry who were loathed by the Seys of Boverton and the Stradlings of St Donats. Vann was fined over £1,000 for being involved in a scuffle in central Llantwit on a Sunday which led him to take on the Sey family and seek his revenge.<ref name="LMH"/>

==== Old Swan Inn====
[[File:Old Swan Inn - geograph.org.uk - 1426602.jpg|thumb|right|The Old Swan Inn]]
Records state that a building was located here from the 11th century and during medieval times it is believed to have been a monastic or manorial mint.<ref name="Thomas1977">{{cite book|last=Thomas|first=Ruth|title=South Wales|url=https://archive.org/details/southwales00thom|url-access=registration|access-date=22 January 2012|year=1977|publisher=Arco Pub. Co.|isbn=978-0-668-04239-0}}</ref> but the current Grade II* listed inn ({{Coord|51.408341|-3.486029|type:landmark}}) is dated to the 16th century, aside from restoration work; it was once thatched roofed. It was run for many years in Tudor times by the Raglan family. In the mid 17th century there is evidence that its owner Edward Craddock was again using it as a mint to "mint his own tokens as there was a shortage of coin at this time."<ref name="LMH"/> There are five other pubs and four [[restaurant]]s in the town.

====The Old White Hart Inn====
The Old White Hart Inn is Grade II listed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wales/vale+of+glamorgan/llantwit+major#.WKG7e-RXXcs|title=Listed Buildings in Vale of Glamorgan|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> and described as a late 16th-century building.<ref name="llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk/buildings.html |title=Llantwit Major History Society |access-date=2017-02-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419053531/http://www.llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk/buildings.html |archive-date=19 April 2017}}</ref> It has been suspected that the building was previously used as a courthouse, but this has never been proved. Moreover, tokens were given out under the Old White Hart's name in the 18th century.<ref name="llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk"/>

====Plymouth House====
According to the blue plaque on the wall outside Plymouth House ({{Coord|51.408791|-3.488876|type:landmark}}), the house is believed to have been formerly part of the monastery, perhaps functioning as a halled house for some time in the fifteenth century.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> After its closure in 1539, it became the manor house of West Llantwit owned by Edward Stradling. Later owners include Lewis of the Van, the Earl of Plymouth and then Dr. J. W. Nicholl Carne, who renamed it after its previous owner some time in the 19th century.<ref name="LMH"/><ref>Blue plaque of Plymouth House, Llantwit Major Local History Society</ref>

====Court House====
From the blue plaque on the Court House ({{Coord|51.409519|-3.485348|type:landmark}}), it was formerly known as Ivy house when it was a town house from the 16th century. In the 18th century it was extended by Christopher Bassett. For some time it was owned by the Throckmorton family of [[Coughton Court]], [[Warwickshire]], descendants of one of the perpetrators of the [[Gunpowder Plot]].<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> Later owners included Daniel Durrell, headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School, and the benefactor of Tabernacle Chapel, Elias Bassett. It then fell to his niece and her husband William Thomas and became part of the Thomas family and at one time was owned by Illtyd Thomas, father of [[Mare Treveleyan]], an antiquarian.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/people.html |title=LLantwit Major: People |publisher=Llantwit Major History.org.uk |access-date=22 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222221438/http://www.llantwitmajorhistory.org.uk/people.html |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>Blue plaque on Court House, Llantwit Major Local History Society</ref> The Thomases built the Town Hall clock to commemorate [[Queen Victoria]].

====Knolles Place====
[[File:'The Old School', Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1114052.jpg|thumb|left|The Old School]]
According to the blue plaque on the building (also known as "The Old School") ({{Coord|51.408413|-3.487469|type:landmark}}), it was built around 1450 by John Raglan (Herbert) and was then owned by Robert Raglan, from a family who had significant power in the area at the time and held many local administrative posts as stewards and priests. In the 17th century it became a vicarage for Stephen Slugg and functioned as a boarding school for primary school children between 1874 and 1975.<ref>Blue plaque of Knolles Place, Llantwit Major Local History Society</ref>

====Old police station====
The old police station ({{Coord|51.4069|-3.4872|type:landmark}}) was built in the mid-1840s after the place is Glamorgan Constabulary was established in 1841, and was originally comprised a single-storey building, but was expanded in 1876 to include four bedrooms on the top floor.
<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> It continued to function as a police station until 1928 when a new building opened nearer the town centre on Wesley Street.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/>

====War memorial====
This is located in the centre of Llantwit War Memorial ({{Coord|51.40842| -3.486894|type:landmark}}), between the Old Swan and the White Hart and has a Celtic cross. The memorial commemorates residents who lost their lives or went missing in World War I and World War II. There are 32 names listed for World War I and 26 names for World War II.

====Bethel Baptist Church====
[[File:Bethel Baptist Church, Llantwit Major - geograph.org.uk - 1114070.jpg|thumb|right|Bethel Baptist Church]]
Bethel Baptist Church ({{Coord|51.408714|-3.485035|type:landmark}}) was erected in 1830 to provide for local Baptists and its first minister was a local shopkeeper named Jabez Lawrence. [[Christmas Evans]], a one-eyed Welsh preacher of considerable renown was reported to have held services here.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/>

==== Boverton Place====
Located in Boverton, Boverton Place ({{Coord|51.404751|-3.464059|type:landmark}}) is a former fortified [[manor house]], now in ruins.<ref name="Wade1914">{{cite book|last=Wade|first=Joseph Henry|title=Glamorganshire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BTg8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA174|edition=Public domain|year=1914|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=174}}</ref> It was built at the end of the 16th century and served as the seat of [[Roger Seys]], Queen's Attorney to the Council of Wales and the Marches in the 1590s.<ref name="LMLHS-Buildings"/> It remained in Seys family until the last heiress Jane Seys married Robert Jones of Fonmon who sold it to owners who let it fall into ruin. Its last occupants were mentioned in the census of 1861.

==== Dimlands ====
[[File:Dimlands Lodge, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan. - geograph.org.uk - 373975.jpg|thumb|right|Dimlands Lodge]]
[[Dimlands]] (or Dimland Castle or Dimland Lodge) ({{Coord|51.406172|-3.501055|type:landmark}}) is situated about a kilometre back from the clifftops of the Bristol Channel along the road to St. Donats. It was owned at one time by John Whitlock Nicholl Carne of the University of Oxford who moved there after his father's death. Dimlands was built by John Carne's father, Rev. Robert Carne, at the end of the 18th century, upon land left him by his father, Whitlock Nicholl of The Ham, sheriff for the county of Glamorgan in 1746. The property was held by the Nicholl family since the time of [[Henry VII of England|King Henry VII]]. The dwelling is of castellated [[Tudor architecture]] with blue [[wiktionary:lias|lias]] limestone exterior, and Coombedown stone windows and cornices. The south-facing front is more than {{convert|130|ft}} in length. The western coast of Cornwall and Lundy Island are visible from the turrets. The carved chimney in the dining room is made of Caen stone, and the chimney-piece in the drawing room is also. Other features are the Minton tile flooring, the large Tudor-style staircase, two sitting rooms, and the library, a newer addition. The Dimlands stables feature sharp-pointed [[gable]]s, as well as a carved stone with the date of the original grant (1336).<ref name="Burke1853">{{cite book|last=Burke|first=John Bernard |title=A visitation of the seats and arms of the noblemen and gentlemen of Great Britain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8gYUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA218|edition=Public domain|year=1853|publisher=Colburn|page=218}}</ref>

===Hillhead===
On the hillside of the Colhugh Valley there are a row of houses situated at Hillhead in Llantwit Major.<ref name="sites.google.com">{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/alanjauncey/history|title=History of Hill Head - Hillhead|website=sites.google.com}}</ref> The houses were built in the early years of the 19th century for the poor of the parish.<ref name="llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk"/> With the introduction of the [[Poor Law Amendment Act 1834]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/plaatext.html|title=The Poor Law Amendment Act: 14 August 1834|website=www.victorianweb.org}}</ref> a workhouse was opened in Bridgend. The houses became surplus to requirements and were then sold as private residences.<ref name="llantwitmajorhistorysociety.co.uk"/> Llantwit Major came under the Bridgend and Cowbridge Poor Law Union. Each unit was originally divided into two separate upper and lower accommodation, the upstairs entrance was from the west and the entrance to the lower accommodation came from the east.<ref name="sites.google.com"/>

==Education and sport==
[[Image:Llantwitmajorleisurecentre.JPG|thumb|right|Llantwit Major Leisure Centre]]

The town is home to [[Llantwit Major F.C.]], a football club playing in the [[Cymru South]]. The club has enjoyed excellent success in recent years, winning Division Three in 2016/17, and Division Two in 2017/18. Manager Karl Lewis has built a successful squad of players, including Sam Snaith and [[Adam Roscrow]] who have gone on to play in the Welsh Premier League and English Football League respectively.

[[Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School]] is the [[secondary school]] in the town. A fire gutted the building in October 1991 and a new building was constructed.<ref>''[[South Wales Echo]]'', October 1991</ref> The school has roughly 1300 pupils and around 85 full-time staff.  Immediately adjacent is Llanilltud Fawr [[primary school]], one of four primary schools in Llantwit, the others being Eagleswell primary school, Ysgol Dewi Sant and St. Illtyd's primary school.

[[File:Llantwit Major 10K.jpg|thumb|Runners competing in the Llantwit Major 10K]]
Facilities at the Llantwit Major [[leisure centre]] include a small [[swimming pool]], large and small sports halls, the LifeStyle Fitness Studio, [[sunbed]] facilities, conference room and bar. The [[Llantwit Major RFC|Llantwit Major Rugby Football Club]], which played its first match against [[Cowbridge RFC|Cowbridge Rugby Football Club]] in 1889,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesdir.com/Wales_Region/Torfaen_Vale_of_Glamorgan/Llantrithyd_Llantwit_Major/296921-33952.html|title=The Major RFC in Wales UK Business Directory|publisher=Wales Directory|access-date=15 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209211713/http://www.walesdir.com/Wales_Region/Torfaen_Vale_of_Glamorgan/Llantrithyd_Llantwit_Major/296921-33952.html|archive-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> fields two senior, one youth (U/19) and eight mini/junior teams, and plays in [[WRU Division Four South East|Division Four]] of the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] leagues. Other sports clubs represent [[association football]], [[cricket]] and running.

==Cultural references==
The town is fictionally portrayed in the late [[Glyn Daniel]]'s novel ''Welcome Death'' (1954). Some areas of the town have been used in the recording of the recent series of ''[[Doctor Who]]''<ref name="Who's that walking around Llantwit Major?">{{cite news|newspaper=The Llantwit Major Gem|date=11 March 2010|url=http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=e16Q09Wwc07G&PBID=0b7796f0-a847-4b83-839a-12f878ce7b83&skip=|title=Who's that walking around Llantwit Major?|page=11}}</ref> and ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' episode ''[[The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith]]'' (created by [[BBC Wales]]). The local tearooms were used in the 2007 making of ''[[Y Pris]]'' filmed by and shown on [[S4C]].

==Notable people==
*[[Glyn Daniel]] (1914–1986) scientist and archaeologist<ref name="Punch">{{cite book|title=Punch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0QMfAQAAMAAJ|year=1986|page=94}}</ref>
*[[Dafydd Hewitt]] (1985–) Former [[Cardiff Rugby]] Rugby Player<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=167785|title=Dafyyd Hewitt|publisher=Cardiff Rugby Football Club|access-date=17 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722073135/http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=167785|archive-date=22 July 2012}}</ref>
*[[Daniel Hopkin]] (1886–1951) Labour MP born in Llantwit Major<ref name="Lock1980">{{cite book|last=Lock|first=Joan|title=Marlborough Street: the story of a London court|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=28BKAQAAIAAJ|date=November 1980|publisher=R. Hale|isbn=978-0-7091-8581-9|page=46}}</ref>
*[[Steve Grapes]] (1953–) Former Professional Footballer for [[Norwich City]] and [[Cardiff City]]
*[[Karl Jones]] (1957–) racing driver
*[[Pat Mountain]] (1976–) goalkeeping coach for [[Bristol City F.C.]], grew up in Llantwit Major
*[[Theophilus Redwood]] (1806–1892) pharmacist, one of the founding members of the [[Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain]]<ref name="Thomas1999">{{cite book|last=Thomas|first=John David Ronald|title=A history of the analytical division of the Royal Society of Chemistry, 1972–1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DM7aAAAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Royal Society of Chemistry|isbn=978-0-85404-449-8|page=22}}</ref>
*[[Adam Roscrow]] (1995–) Welsh Professional Footballer for [[The New Saints]] currently on loan at [[Welling United]]
*[[Josh Navidi]] (1990–) former [[Cardiff Rugby]], [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], [[British and Irish Lions]] International [[Rugby Union]] Player

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{GeoGroup}}
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.llantwitmajortowncouncil.gov.uk/ Llantwit Major Town Council]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/llantwitmajor/ BBC Wales feature on Llantwit Major]

{{Vale of Glamorgan}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Llantwit Major| ]]
[[Category:Towns in the Vale of Glamorgan]]
[[Category:Paleontological sites of Europe]]
[[Category:Communities in the Vale of Glamorgan]]