Joyce Offers you a warm welcome to the Bears Head Inn built in 1703 in the historic town of Rhayader.

A Potted History of Rhayader - (acknowledgment to S Collard - all errors are mine![Editor])

The original name of Rhayader (in Welsh Rhaeadr) was Rhaiadr Gwy which means "the cataract of the Wye". The waterfall no longer exists as the river was widened in order to build a bridge across to Cwmdauddwr.

Rhayader is by far the oldest town in Radnorshire (now part of Powys) with evidence that it existed back in the 5th Century, and possibly back to the Bronze age. The hills of Radnorshire are scattered with burial mounds and barrows. Treasure of onyx and gold has been found in the area, these artifacts have been dated to the late Celtic era. The town has a relic of a castle that was destroyed in 1231 during a war between feuding lords of the area. This is situated on a hill above the river Wye and is easily accessible from the Bears Head Inn.

Rhayader had the Shire court for Radnorshire but after the murder of a visiting judge by a gang of outlaws in 1542, the court was moved to Presteigne which was closer to the garrison town of Ludlow.

Welsh was the dominant language in the area until approximately 1818 when its use in church was deplored by a Rev. Jonathon Williams.

The town of Rhayader has long been a crossroads between towns in Powys with seven roads leading in and out of the town. This is probably why it was at the Centre of the "Rebecca Riots" in the 18th Century. These were protests against the introduction of Toll gates which were stations on roads to force anybody passing through them to pay a fee (called a toll). They were called Rebecca riots because irate local men would dress up as women. The riots were only stopped after the introduction of 14 police offices , a detachment of the 4th Dragoons (a military unit) and in 1843 infantry! The tolls charges have luckily been rescinded.

The Dams that dominate parts of the area were built to supply Birmingham (a large industrial city in middle England) with water. They contain roughly 20 billion gallons of water and can supply 75 million gallons a day though a aqueduct 73.5 miles long. The estate is now managed by Welsh water who take care to balance the need for supplying water and the needs of the environment.

Rhayader is now a peaceful, friendly place with an extraordinary low level of crime.