England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Llanbadarn y Garreg St Padarn

The Parish

The parish of Llanbadarn y Garreg lies in southern Radnorshire not too far from its border with neighbouring Breconshire. Llanbadarn y Garreg is located roughly 7 miles east of the spa town of Builth Wells and sits just over 3 miles east of the A470 road which links Builth Wells with Brecon. Llanbadarn y Garreg is a tiny community, a small cluster of properties sitting on the northern banks of the Afon Edw. This is an upland parish, whilst the immediate valley is suitable for cattle much of the parish is tough moorland given over solely to hardy sheep. Llanbadarn y Garreg is drained southwestwards by the Afon Edw which meets the River Wye at Aberedw before passing eastwards on a long journey to the outer Bristol Channel arriving through the port of Chepstow. Llanbadarn y Garreg is sited at around 150 metres above the sea but its deep valley setting is surrounded by some of the highest hills in mid-Wales with Aberedw Hill to the northwest topping out at 451 metres. Llanbadarn y Garreg parish is an anomaly, a tiny parish of merely 900 acres when one would expect an extensive parish in these tough upland areas, that tiny acreage supported, as would be expected, fewer than 100 parishioners. Like most of Wales Llanbadarn y Garreg is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Padarn's church sits almost within the Afon Edw, sitting on its banks and accessed across a meadow from the main lane through the settlement. At its core St Padarn is a single-chambered medieval chapel, dating appears a little imprecise but 14th or 15th century seems to be the acknowledged date for the roof whereas the fabric is often quoted as being erected in the 13th century as a result of mentions in texts of 1291. To this medieval core the 18th century saw the present timber windows whilst a more thorough restoration followed in 1928 rather than the typical Victorian era. Parking in the narrow lane approaching the church is possible with care, the church is reached through a small gate immediately before the lane crosses the Edw, a stroll across the meadow reaches the churchyard which is devoid of obstacles for the photographer.