Knighton, Powys

The Welsh name, Tref-y-clawdd, meaning and referring to "town on the dyke", was first recorded in 1262 and officially given to the town in 1971.

The name Knighton probably derives from the Old English {{Lang|ang|cniht}} (a soldier, thane or freeman) and {{Lang|ang|tūn}} (farm, settlement or homestead), and may have been founded through a grant of land to freemen.{{Cite web |author=Institute for Name Studies |title=A Key to English Place-Names (Knighton, Staffs but sharing the etymology) |url=http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/kepn/detailpop.php?placeno=10017 |access-date=15 July 2009}}{{Cite web |title=Ancestry.co.uk |website=Ancestry.com |url=http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Knighton-family-history.ashx |access-date=11 March 2008}}{{Cite web |title=InterTran |url=http://www.tranexp.com:2000/InterTran?url=http%3A%2F%2F&type=text&text=tref+y+clawdd%0D%0A&from=eng&to=wel| access-date=11 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041108220953/http://www.tranexp.com:2000/InterTran?url= |archive-date=8 November 2004 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

Knighton's earliest history is obscure, despite some local clues: Caer Caradoc (an Iron Age hill fort associated with Caradoc or Caractacus) is {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} away, off the road to Clun.{{Cite web |title=The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/RAD/Knighton/Gaz1868.html |access-date=19 February 2007}} Watling Street, a Roman road, passes a few miles to the east at Leintwardine. Any settlements in the Knighton area would have belonged to the Iron Age kingdom of Cornovii, which coincided with the modern counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, North Staffordshire, North Herefordshire, and parts of Powys and Worcestershire.

Knighton includes a preserved section of Offa's Dyke.{{Cite web |author=William Camden |title=Chorographicall Description of the most flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland (London, 1610) |url=http://vision.edina.ac.uk/text/chap_page.jsp?t_id=Camden&c_id=23&p_id=820#pn_67 |access-date=19 February 2007 |author-link=William Camden}} {{Dead link |date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} The parallel Wat's Dyke a few miles to the east, runs north and south along the English/Welsh border from Basingwerk near Holywell to Oswestry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/wats-dyke|title=Brewer's: Wats Dyke |website=Infoplease.com|access-date=1 March 2022}} Dykes aside, two Norman castles, earthen mottes, likely to be from 12th and 13th centuries, are the oldest surviving structures in modern Knighton.{{Cite web |title=Knighton on Line |url=http://www.knightononline.netfirms.com/castles.htm |access-date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502020523/http://www.knightononline.netfirms.com/castles.htm |archive-date=2 May 2006 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} There is disagreement about the chronology of the two castles, although the earlier is likely to be the one above the town in Castle Road, with its more defensible position, wider panorama and clear evidence of a bailey. The first castle built here would also have overlooked the market place in Market Street and the town planned between Broad Street and St Edwards Church.

The town became a borough in 1203, with a charter permitting a weekly market and annual fair.{{Cite web |title= Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust |url= http://www.cpat.org.uk/educate/leaflets/medieval/medieval.htm |access-date= 19 February 2007 |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200655/http://www.cpat.org.uk/educate/leaflets/medieval/medieval.htm |url-status= dead }} The presence of two castles within a comparatively small town suggests that one (the earlier motte and bailey sited atop the town) went out of use before the establishment of the second (the motte with no bailey at Bryn y Castell). As Knighton Castle was captured and destroyed by Llewelyn ap Gruffyd in 1262, it seems likely that the second, later castle at Bryn y Castell was undertaken after that and was likely sited on lower ground so as to guard the crossing point of the River Teme. Bryn y Castell, as the one surviving castle in Knighton by then, was besieged by Owain Glyndŵr in 1402 and destroyed along with much of the town.{{Cite book |author=Christopher Catling, Ronnie Catling |title= Glyndŵr's Way: A Welsh National Trail |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hj7bx1cQDksC&pg=PA33 |isbn=9781849650021 |date=9 September 2010}} The major battle of the rebellion was fought in the same year at Pilleth (Welsh: Bryn Glas) {{convert|3|mi|km|0}}, south of the town. Though documents pertaining to the defence of Knighton during the Glyndwr rebellion state that Knighton had stout and defensible walls, no historical, archaeological or topographic evidence for a town wall, even of timber, has been found. So it is thought more likely that the statement referred to the castle walls, rather than the town.

File:Knighton church (1295015).jpg

File:Broad St. Knighton (1294418).jpg

The town church dates from the 11th century,{{Cite web |title=Church of St Edward, Knighton |url=http://www.cpat.demon.co.uk/projects/longer/churches/radnor/16801.htm |access-date=16 June 2009}} but much of it was rebuilt in the 19th century. It is one of only two in Wales dedicated to St Edward, patron saint of England before St George was chosen. This English dedication is a symptom of the dual English/Welsh nature of the town, which was not legally resolved until 1535, when Knighton was finally confirmed as part of Wales by the Acts of Union.{{Cite web |title=AD 1535 Anno vicesimo septimo Henrici VIII c. 26 |url=http://owain.vaughan.com/1535c26/#section6 |access-date=15 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204133823/http://owain.vaughan.com/1535c26/ |archive-date= 4 February 2012}} Knighton also has a Baptist chapel and a small Catholic church.

Image:KnightonRailway.jpg

Knighton first prospered as a centre of the wool trade in the 15th century{{Cite web |author=Samuel Lewis |title= 'Killymaenllwyd – Knighton', A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1849), pp. 456–459 |url= http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47839 |access-date=15 June 2009}} and was later an important point on the two drover routes from Montgomery to Hereford, and from London to Aberystwyth. Otherwise, Knighton was remote from centres of commerce.

It seemed likely that the railways would also fail to reach the town; the 1840s and 1850s saw rapid railway building right across Great Britain, but Radnorshire had a small population and little industry. Construction of a railway was made economically just viable by an entrepreneurial drive to connect the Mumbles and Milford Haven with the cities and factories of the industrial Midlands.{{Cite web |title=The coming of the railway |website=Powys Digital History Project |url=http://history.powys.org.uk/school1/knighton/train.shtml |access-date=11 March 2008}} The Knighton Railway Company was formed by local landowners and businessmen to build a line from Craven Arms to the town.{{Cite web |title=Seal of the Knighton Railway company |url=http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10271139&wwwflag=2&imagepos=1 |access-date=20 November 2007}}{{Cite web |title=Powys County Council – transport in Knighton and district |url=http://history.powys.org.uk/school1/knighton/train2.shtml |access-date=20 November 2007}} Work began in August 1858 and the line reached Knighton in March 1861. The station itself ensued in 1865.

To mark the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the initials "ER" were planted in deciduous trees in an evergreen forest on a hill to the north of the town.{{Cite web |title=Go2 Shropshire |url=http://www.go2.co.uk/About_GO2_Pages/TheGO2GuidetoKni.html |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203031905/http://www.go2.co.uk/About_GO2_Pages/TheGO2GuidetoKni.html |archive-date=3 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

In August 1970, Knighton hosted a rock festival with bands such as The Move, along with Pete Brown & Piblokto, Roger Bunn, Forever More, Clark-Hutchinson, James Litherland's Brotherhood (James was originally part of Colosseum) and Killing Floor. The compères were radio DJ Pete Drummond and local resident and bluesman Alexis Korner, who also performed.{{Cite web |title=Marmalade Skies – original poster of the Knighton Concert |url=http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/aug1970.htm |access-date=20 November 2007}}

{{See also|Politics of Wales}}

Image:Knighton - street.jpg

After the Acts of Union, Knighton belonged for nearly 450 years to the traditional County of Radnorshire. This, like several other counties, ceased to exist in 1974, being merged into the county of Powys.{{Cite web |title=Cyngor Sir Powys County Council |url=http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=45&L=0 |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822093712/http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=45&L=0 |archive-date=22 August 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

The town council of 13 councillors elects once a year a largely ceremonial mayor.{{Cite web |title=Knighton Town Council |url=http://community-councils.powys.org.uk/knighton/ |access-date=23 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212005454/http://community-councils.powys.org.uk/knighton/ |archive-date=12 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=Town Council; Councillors and Clerk |url=http://knightontown.net/nfMembers.asp?Section=Town%20Council&ButtonPressed=Sadmin9552 |access-date=23 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723172631/http://knightontown.net/nfMembers.asp?Section=Town%20Council&ButtonPressed=Sadmin9552 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

Real municipal authority lies with Powys County Council. Knighton electoral ward was represented by two county councillors on Powys County Council until 1999, then only one. These have been Independent councillors or Liberal Democrats.{{Cite web |url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Powys-1995-2012.pdf |title=Powys 1995-2012 |publisher=The Elections Centre |access-date=22 January 2018}} Since May 2021, Knighton has joined with Beguildy to return 2 County Councillors, and it has been represented by the Independent Ange Williams and Liberal Democrat Corinna Kenyon-Wade.{{cite web | url=https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/7163/County-Council-Elections-2022---Radnorshire | title=County Council Elections 2022 - Radnorshire }}

Above the county council, the Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament forms the next tier of government.

Knighton falls within the Westminster constituency of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe.

Knighton belongs to the Senedd constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire, represented by James Evans{{cite web | url=https://senedd.wales/people/james-evans-ms/ | title=James Evans MS }} a Conservative.

The few roads and houses that lie across the border in England belong to the civil parish of Stowe, Shropshire. They form part of the Westminster constituency of South Shropshire.

Knighton has a fire station served by a part-time crew and part of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The local police force is Dyfed-Powys Police, but the town has no police station.

Knighton Hospital in Ffrydd Road occupies the site of the old workhouse and uses some of its former buildings. It has maternity facilities, but no accident and emergency capability. Primary care is provided by a GP practice and a Boots pharmacy.{{Cite web |title=BBC Wales microsite |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/healthandfitness/pages/jimjoyceprice.shtml|website=Bbc.oc.uk |access-date=23 January 2008}}

Social housing is largely provided by two housing associations, one in Wales (Mid Wales Housing Association) and another in England (South Shropshire Housing Association).{{Cite web |title=Welsh Audit Office Report on Mid-Wales HA Wales| url=http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Mid-Wales_Housing_Association_Summary_Report_883A2006.pdf |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028134943/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Mid-Wales_Housing_Association_Summary_Report_883A2006.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=South Shropshire HA |url=http://www.sshropsha.co.uk/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306052146/http://www.sshropsha.co.uk/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=6 March 2001 |access-date=1 February 2008}}

Knighton has been twinned with the small Breton town of Varades since August 2009.{{Cite web |title=Knighton Twinning Association |url=http://www.knightontown.net/nfHome.asp?Section=Knighton%20Twinning%20Association&ButtonPressed=Sadmin39207 |access-date=23 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723172631/http://www.knightontown.net/nfHome.asp?Section=Knighton%20Twinning%20Association&ButtonPressed=Sadmin39207 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

{{See also|Demographics of Wales}}

Statistics confirm Knighton's slow growth since the early 19th century. The population was estimated in 2019 at 2,912.[https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/wales/admin/powys/W04000284__knighton/ City Population. Retrieved 7 February 2021.] The 2001 Census provides a snapshot of Knighton today and allows comparisons with the county and Wales as a whole.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-report-on-the-welsh-language/report-on-the-welsh-language/report-on-the-welsh-language-.pdf |title=Census 2001: Report on the Welsh language |author=Office for National Statistics |year=2004 |access-date=29 July 2012}} Knightonians are less likely to describe their identity as Welsh than inhabitants of other parts of Wales. It is also more homogenous and enjoys higher employment rates.{{Cite web |title=Neighbourhood Statistics |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadDatasetList.do?a=3&b=5939320&c=Knighton&d=14&g=415375&i=1001x1003&m=0&r=1&s=1203920804753&enc=1&domainId=15 |access-date=20 November 2007}}

The town includes visible remains of two early castle mottes, one at Bryn-y-Castell and the other hidden behind the fire station and in a private garden.{{Cite web |title=Castle Wales |url=http://www.castlewales.com/knighton.html |access-date=20 November 2007}} The Clock Tower was built in 1872 and is similar to those in Rhayader, Hay on Wye and Machynlleth.{{Cite news |title=BBC News – mid Wales |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7214969.stm |access-date=2 February 2008 |date=29 January 2008}}{{Cite web |title=Knighton on Line |url=http://www.knightononline.netfirms.com/clock.htm |access-date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502020449/http://www.knightononline.netfirms.com/clock.htm |archive-date=2 May 2006 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

On the first Saturday in April the town normally holds an annual Carnival and Show, which attracts visitors from around the world,{{Cite web |title=BBC – comments on the carnival Project |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/knighton/pages/my_town.shtml |access-date=11 March 2008}} though it did not take place in 2020 due to COVID-19. Its two parades, one at midday and another around 8 pm, consist of various themed carnival floats with people in fancy dress. The show takes place at the town's showground at Bryn-y-Castell, which is also home to Knighton Town F.C., Knighton Cricket Club and Knighton Hockey Club.

Just outside Knighton and visible for many miles is an observatory with a telescope, Europe's largest camera obscura, and a planetarium. This is part of the Spaceguard UK project, which searches for asteroids.{{Cite web |title=SpaceGuard UK |url=http://www.spaceguarduk.com/visit.htm |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016192726/http://spaceguarduk.com/visit.htm |archive-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}

Knighton Community Centre is the town's largest venue for discos, performances, wrestling, bands, artists, and local clubs and organisations. Knighton includes two National Trails: Glyndŵr's Way and Offa's Dyke Path. The Offa's Dyke Association has a visitors' centre in the town alongside the site of the ceremony at which John Hunt, Baron Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine inaugurated the long-distance footpath system in 1971.{{Cite web |title=Offa's Dyke Association |url=http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/odc.htm |access-date=17 December 2007 |archive-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518191314/http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/odc.htm |url-status=dead }} Much of the route is a bridle path as well as a footpath, with even some vehicles allowed to use it.The Definitive Map and Statement of rights of way for the relevant counties. It is a walk recommended by the Daily Telegraph.{{Cite news |title=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?&xml=/travel/2004/10/11/etfront1010.xml&page=4#5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225152306/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?&xml=/travel/2004/10/11/etfront1010.xml&page=4#5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2007 |access-date=20 November 2007 |location=London |first=Camilla |last=Edwards| date=4 October 2004}} The Jack Mytton Way passes nearby and another Wat's Dyke Way was proposed.{{Cite news |title=Historic path given grant boost |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2538521.stm |access-date=29 July 2012 |date=3 December 2002 |work=BBC News}}

Knighton has featured in two major films. Gone to Earth, released in 1950 and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, used the nearby location of Pentre, New Invention.{{Cite web |title=IMDB |website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042513/locations |access-date=20 November 2007}}{{Cite web |title=Emeric & Pressburger Fan Site |url=http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Trips/Shropshire/20011102/Gallery/Maps/TheCallow.jpg |access-date=20 November 2007}} Second Best, released in 1994 and starring William Hurt, was filmed partly in Knighton.{{Cite web |title=IMDB |website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111102/locations |access-date=20 November 2007}}

The Oscar-winning actor Julie Christie lived nearby in the 1970s.{{Cite news |title=The Guardian – "...lived in rural Wales" |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2047296,00.html |access-date=20 November 2007 |work=The Guardian |location=London |first=Tim |last=Adams |date=1 April 2007}} The actor Richard Thorp, famous as the tubby former publican Alan Turner in Emmerdale, lived at Skyborry.{{Cite web |title=Hereford Times |url=http://archive.herefordtimes.com/2000/9/13/64415.html |access-date=17 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307171456/http://www.herefordtimes.com/archive/2000/09/13/Herefordshire+Archive/5708390.Knighton/ |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

Knighton is mentioned in A Shropshire Lad by A. E. Housman:{{Cite web |title=Teme Valley |url=http://www.teme-valley.co.uk/knighton.htm |access-date=18 February 2008}}

{{cquote|

We still had sorrows to lighten,

One could not always be glad,

And lads knew trouble at Knighton,

When I was a Knighton lad.}}

Bruce Chatwin was inspired to write a novel, On the Black Hill, by a hill of that name just {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} north of the town, on the road to Clun. He stayed nearby in Purslow with friends in the 1970s.{{Cite web |author=Clare Balding |title=BBC iPlayer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t6yhb/Britain_by_Bike_The_Welsh_Borders/ |access-date=1 February 2011}}

On a less literary note, Guy N. Smith's book Knighton Vampires is based locally.{{Cite web |title=Fantastic Fiction |url=http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/guy-n-smith/knighton-vampires.htm |access-date=18 February 2008}}

The musician, songwriter, historian, and broadcaster Alexis Korner also lived nearby in the 1970s.

Image:Bowling Club.JPG

Knighton has rugby, cricket, football and hockey teams.{{Cite web |title=Knighton CC |url=http://www.knightoncc.netfirms.com/index.htm |access-date=31 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509162807/http://www.knightoncc.netfirms.com/index.htm |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=BBC Website |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/webguide/pages/knighton.shtml |access-date=23 January 2008}}{{Cite web |title=Powys County Council, Hockey |url=http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=4342 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070730002314/http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=4342 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2007 |access-date=1 February 2008}} It has a nine-hole golf course, designed by Harry Vardon in 1906.{{Cite web |title=Knighton GC |url=http://www.welshgolfcourses.com/mid/knighton.php/Key%20Statistics/Electoral%20Divisions/KS_NNRF.pdf |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718031204/http://www.welshgolfcourses.com/mid/knighton.php/Key%20Statistics/Electoral%20Divisions/KS_NNRF.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=Knighton GC website |url=http://www.knightongolfclub.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2008}}

Knighton Town F.C. plays in the Mid Wales League and for the Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup. Arthur Rowley, brother of England international Jack Rowley, managed the team.{{Cite news |title=Daily Telegraph – Obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/12/23/db2303.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225152059/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/12/23/db2303.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2007 |access-date=20 November 2007 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Andrew |last=Haldenby}}

Knighton has a swimming pool and leisure centre.{{Cite web |title=Knighton GC |url=http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=423 |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502185935/http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=423 |archive-date=2 May 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |title=Powys County Council – Leisure Centre |url=http://www.knightongolfclub.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2008}}

In July 2009, Knighton hosted Round 2 of the British Enduro Championship.{{Cite web |title=YouTube |website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrcVh7I7V8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/kGrcVh7I7V8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live |access-date=1 December 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |title=ACU Bikesport |url=http://www.acu.org.uk/News/2009/07/Knighton-Enduro/|website=Acu.org.uk| access-date=1 December 2009}} The Tour of Britain cycle race passed through Knighton in 2014.{{Cite web |title=Tour of Britain |url=http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/news/9930.php |access-date=26 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811125325/http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/news/9930.php |archive-date=11 August 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}

In birth date order:

• Alfred Edwards (1850–1923), businessman, was with Herbert Kilpin one of the charter members of the Italian club A.C. Milan, originally named Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club. He was also elected its first president.{{Cite news |title=Whole new ball game |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 December 1999 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/dec/16/newsstory.sport |access-date=18 June 2010}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.magliarossonera.it/189900_storia.html |title=La nascita di una mito |work=MagliaRossonera.it |access-date=18 June 2010 |language=it}}
• Kenneth Turpin (1915–2005), a former Provost of Oriel College, Oxford and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, retired to the town.
• Ron Powell (1929–1992), football goalkeeper, played over 500 senior games.
• Dick Heckstall-Smith (1934–2004), saxophonist and composer, raised near the town.{{Cite news |title=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/21/db2102.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225152115/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/21/db2102.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2007 |access-date=20 November 2007 |location=London |first=Andrew |last=Haldenby}}
• Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland (born 1963), estranged wife of David Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland and châtelain of Belvoir Castle, was born and raised locally. Her maiden name was Emma Watkins.
• Ed James (born 1976) born locally, Chairman of Birmingham Press Club since 2012 and a radio presenter of Heart West Midlands.
• Chaz Davies (born 1987), motorcycle racer, born locally, the 2011 World Supersport champion.

The town's shops serve a large rural hinterland and employ 18 per cent of the active population – almost as many as manufacturing, at 18.81 per cent.{{Cite web |title=Powys County Council |url=http://www.powys-i.org.uk/documents/en/powys_i_stats/Census%202001/Key%20Statistics/Electoral%20Divisions/KS_NNRF.pdf |access-date=20 November 2007}} Otherwise Knighton has little industry.{{Cite web |title=Applegate – list of Knighton employers |url=http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-knighton.htm |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225184433/http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-knighton.htm |archive-date=25 December 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} Most young people leave after completing their education.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} Tourism is a crucial area hit hard by the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001.{{Cite web |title=BBC – Knighton minisite |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/knighton/pages/offasdyke.shtml|website=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=20 November 2007}}
Although wages are low and over 20 per cent of families have no car, Knighton has an unemployment rate (2001) of just 2.88 per cent.

Responsibility for economic development lies with the Welsh Assembly Government. The town's remoteness means it has few commuters. Most of the employed (69.45 per cent in 2001) work within a {{convert|12|mi|km|0}} area.{{Cite web |title=National Statistics |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=5939320&c=Knighton&d=14&e=16&g=415375&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1205247313856&enc=1&dsFamilyId=121|website=Neighbourhood.statistics.org|access-date=11 March 2008}}

{{See also|Education in Wales}}

Knighton has a primary school,{{Cite web |title=Primary School |url=http://www.knighton.powys.sch.uk/|website=Knighton.powys.sch.uk |access-date=1 February 2008}} but for state secondary education pupils travel by bus {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} to John Beddoes School in Presteigne. Until 1974 Knighton had a secondary modern school, on the site of the current primary school.{{cite web |url=http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/search2?coll_id=12301&inst_id=40&term=Knighton%20%7C%20Wales |title=Archived copy |website=www.archivesnetworkwales.info |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208194603/http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/search2?coll_id=12301&inst_id=40&term=Knighton%20%7C%20Wales |archive-date=8 February 2007 |url-status=dead}} Knighton Church in Wales Primary School (until 1998 Knighton Voluntary Primary School) had 299 pupils in 2008. In its most recent Estyn inspection it was graded Good or Satisfactory, the inspectors being largely positive, but critical of "low expectations".{{Cite web |author=Lona Thomas |title=Estyn Report Wales |url=http://www.estyn.gov.uk/inspection_reports/KnightonE.pdf|website=Estyn.gov.uk|access-date=1 February 2008}}

Image:Knighton sign.JPG

Knighton is {{convert|137|mi|km|0}} from the UK capital city, London, {{convert|86|mi|km|0}} from the Welsh capital of Cardiff, and {{convert|19|mi|km|0}} from the county town, Llandrindod Wells.{{Cite web |title=Google mapping |url=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=PCTA,PCTA:2006-16,PCTA:en&q=knighton&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl|website=Maps.google.co.uk

|access-date=11 March 2008}} For the smaller part of Knighton that lies in Shropshire, the unitary authority administrative centre, and county town of Shrewsbury is {{convert|34|mi|km|0}} away.

The town is remote, but connected with the following towns and villages.

{{Geographic location

|North = {{flagicon|ENG}}Clun

|Northeast = {{flagicon|ENG}}Chapel Lawn

|Northwest = {{flagicon|WAL}}Knucklas

|West = {{flagicon|WAL}}Llangunllo

|Center = Knighton, Powys

|East = {{flagicon|ENG}}Bucknell

|South = {{flagicon|WAL}}Presteigne

|Southwest = {{flagicon|WAL}}Monaughty

|Southeast = {{flagicon|ENG}}Lingen & Wigmore

}}

Image:Teme.JPG in spate]]

Knighton is at {{Coord|52|20|40|N|3|03|0|W| region:GB_type:city}}, in a sparsely populated tract of mid-Wales and the English border marked by a hilly plateau cut by narrow river valleys with a broadly east–west axis. To the west, ground rises steeply towards Radnor Forest, and to the north more gently to the summit of Clun Forest. Turning east, the elevation falls gently to the Shropshire Plain. To the south of the town stands Llan Wen hill.

The town centre lies some {{convert|174|m|ft|0}} above sea level, although the surrounding hills – Bailey Hill is the highest – rise to {{convert|418|m|ft|0}}. The only major river is the River Teme.

According to Samuel Lewis (a mid 19th-century visitor):

{{blockquote|... at the head of a deep vale sheltered on all sides by hills of lofty elevation, crowned with timber of luxuriant growth, and commanding extensive and finely varied prospects over the surrounding country{{Cite web |author=Samuel Lewis |title=Killymaenllwyd – Knighton – A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1849) |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47839 |access-date=19 February 2007 |author-link=Samuel Lewis (publisher)}}}}

Knighton rests on Ludlovian rocks of the Silurian Period. It was close to the southern edge of the ice-sheet during the last ice age.{{Cite web |title=Shropshire Geology |url=http://www.shropshiregeology.org.uk/sgspublications/Proceedings/1983%20No_03%20Aug%20p21-23%20-%20Krause.pdf|website=Shropshiregeology.org.uk |access-date=20 November 2007}}

The average temperature and rainfall figures, taken between 1971 and 2000 at the Met Office weather station in Shawbury, can be seen on that page. Though {{convert|35|mi|km|0}} away, Shawbury is the nearest recording station and has a similar climate. Knighton is in the rain shadow of the Cambrian Mountains, making it slightly warmer and notably drier than the average for Wales.{{Cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/wales.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102646/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/wales.html|url-status=dead|title=Met Office average weather statistics for Wales 1971 to 2000|archive-date=29 September 2007|access-date=28 February 2022}}

On 18 August 2004, fish fell from the sky in one of the most recent instances of raining animals within the United Kingdom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/halloween/raining_fish.shtml|title=Weird Shropshire - Fish shower|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=1 March 2022}}

Knighton is about {{convert|30|mi}} midway between Shrewsbury and Hereford, at the junction of the A4113 and the A488 road.{{Cite web |title=Video of A488 |url=http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/Trefy48/Transport%20-%20all%20types/?action=view¤t=P8070001-1.flv|website=S280.photobucket.com| access-date=1 December 2009}}

Local bus services are limited and subsidised.{{Cite web |title=Hereford Bus |url=http://herefordbus.info/table-738 |access-date=1 February 2008}}{{Cite web |title=Sargeant Bros Bus |url=http://www.sargeantsbros.com/time_tables/east_radnor/new_east_radnor.htm |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006121636/http://www.sargeantsbros.com/time_tables/east_radnor/new_east_radnor.htm |archive-date= 6 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}

Knighton railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line. Transport for Wales Rail provides direct trains to Shrewsbury and to Swansea via Llandrindod. The station itself is just inside Shropshire, England.

The nearest international airport is at Birmingham. Light aircraft can fly from Welshpool Airport and Shobdon Aerodrome.

{{Wikivoyage inline|Powys|Knighton}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Knighton}}

• [http://history.powys.org.uk/school1/knighton/knimenu.shtml The town in Victorian times]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060409214107/http://free.hostdepartment.com/k/knighton/ Local Chamber of Trade]
• [http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/odc.htm Offa's Dyke Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518191314/http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/odc.htm |date=18 May 2016 }}
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/knighton/ BBC local page]
• [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2279881 Photos of Knighton] on Geograph

{{Powys}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Powys

Category:Communities in Powys

Category:Towns of the Welsh Marches

Category:Market towns in Wales

Category:Wards of Powys