A Brief History of Victoria Wells
Last Updated on 30 January 2011
Victoria Wells
The idea for Victoria Wells was developed by Major Penry Lloyd (1831-1913) Penry joined the number one Breconshire Company of the “Volunteer movement” in1859 as a private. Within a short space of time he had risen through the ranks and was made a Capt. Commandant in 1861. By 1867 Penry had now attained the rank of Major; he assisted in the setting up of the Brecon Mounted Infantry before resigning his commission in 1894.
With time on his hands Penry Lloyd looked for a new challenge and the concept of Victoria Wells was born. The original buildings at Victoria Wells were built in 1897, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year and Penry, being a patriotic man named the venture in her honour.
The land on which Victoria Wells is situated was drained and the Pump house, bungalow and Eisteddfod Hall were constructed. The Eisteddfod hall has been extended and converted into a restaurant and bar, a bowling green was later laid out in front of the Eisteddfod hall.
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During the Victoria era many visitors were drawn to the locality to take the health restorative waters. The Victoria Wells comprise waters of Sulphur, Chalybeate, Magnesium, Lithia and Lithia Saline; the wells still exist although they are no longer in use.
The Pump house, which is now a listed building, contained the well from which the waters were taken being drawn up from wells by hand pump.
Visitors who came for treatment, via the water consumed, frequently stayed for many weeks and the main pavilion was used for nightly entertainment.
Victoria Wells ran as a “spa” for approximately 50 years before closing in the late 1940’s.In 1974 Victoria Wells was opened as “Victoria Wells Mountain Holiday Centre”, chalets were constructed and a swimming pool added.
New cabins have been constructed since the re-opening of Victoria Wells and the vision of Penry Lloyd to be able to provide leisure facilities in this beautiful part of Mid-Wales is being continued.
A monument to Penry Lloyd is located on the former bowling green in front of the restaurant but perhaps the greatest monument to his achievements is the continued development of Victoria Wells.
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The idea for Victoria Wells was developed by Major Penry Lloyd (1831-1913) Penry joined the number one Breconshire Company of the “Volunteer movement” in1859 as a private. Within a short space of time he had risen through the ranks and was made a Capt. Commandant in 1861. By 1867 Penry had now attained the rank of Major; he assisted in the setting up of the Brecon Mounted Infantry before resigning his commission in 1894.
With time on his hands Penry Lloyd looked for a new challenge and the concept of Victoria Wells was born. The original buildings at Victoria Wells were built in 1897, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year and Penry, being a patriotic man named the venture in her honour.
The land on which Victoria Wells is situated was drained and the Pump house, bungalow and Eisteddfod Hall were constructed. The Eisteddfod hall has been extended and converted into a restaurant and bar, a bowling green was later laid out in front of the Eisteddfod hall.
During the Victoria era many visitors were drawn to the locality to take the health restorative waters. The Victoria Wells comprise waters of Sulphur, Chalybeate, Magnesium, Lithia and Lithia Saline; the wells still exist although they are no longer in use.The Pump house, which is now a listed building, contained the well from which the waters were taken being drawn up from wells by hand pump.Visitors who came for treatment, via the water consumed, frequently stayed for many weeks and the main pavilion was used for nightly entertainment.Victoria Wells ran as a “spa” for approximately 50 years before closing in the late 1940’s.
In 1974 Victoria Wells was opened as “Victoria Wells Mountain Holiday Centre”, chalets were constructed and a swimming pool added.
New cabins have been constructed since the re-opening of Victoria Wells and the vision of Penry Lloyd to be able to provide leisure facilities in this beautiful part of Mid-Wales is being continued. A monument to Penry Lloyd is located on the former bowling green in front of the restaurant but perhaps the greatest monument to his achievements is the continued development of Victoria Wells.