Abergwili

The village is known for its Bishop's Palace, home to the Bishop of St David's since 1542, when Bishop William Barlow transferred his palace from St David's to Abergwili, re-using the premises of an older college of priests. The building is believed to have been built between 1283 and 1291, when Thomas Bek was made bishop of St Davids. It was known as a college until it was amalgamated with another, to create, Christ College in Breacon. It was almost completely rebuilt in 1903 following a disastrous fire. It contains the chapel originally added by Archbishop Laud in 1625, when he was Bishop of St David's. In 1974 the old episcopal palace was purchased by Carmarthenshire County Council for use as a museum, whilst a new residence for the bishops, "Llys Esgob", was built in part of the grounds, together with Diocesan Offices - thereby continuing a connection with Abergwili which has now lasted for well over 400 years.[2]

Until 1802 the river Towy ran past the back of the Palace, it changed course and left an oxbow lake. Today it is a large lily pond with large amounts of wildlife.[3]

Abergwili has seen a substantial increase in population in recent years with new property developments but has kept its character and rural tranquility.

The Celtic cross war memorial was built in memory of those from the village who died in the two world wars.

Abergwili has a bilingual primary school in the centre.[4]

The village is home to the Carmarthen Quins rugby union team.

Merlin's Hill Centre is a farm which has been opened up to the public.[5] Merlin's Hill is next the farm. There is a footpath that goes to the top of the hill, which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort.[6] Merlin's Hill is down in local legend as the final resting place of Merlin from the Arthurian legend.

The "Wheat Sheaf" pub in the village is one of the oldest pubs in Carmarthenshire. Around 1850 there was also a pub called the "Albion Inn".

There are two places of Christian worship in Abergwili: Ebeneser Chapel, a Welsh Nonconformist Independent Chapel, and St David's, a Church in Wales parish church. St David's was rebuilt in 1841 by the vicar, the Rev. Joshua Hughes, on the foundations of a much earlier church. The cost was £1,400, and Hughes was later to become Bishop of St Asaph. Richard Davies was buried at this church.

Abergwili is an electoral ward for the purposes of elections to Carmarthenshire County Council. Since 1995, the ward has been represented by Independent councillor Pam Palmer. Abergwili also has a community council.

The community is bordered by the communities of: Llanllawddog; Llanegwad; Llanarthney; Llangunnor; Carmarthen; and Bronwydd, all being in Carmarthenshire.

Media related to Abergwili at Wikimedia Commons

• Abergwili Parish Website
• P. G. Wright's Pictures of Abergwili
• Carmarthenshire County Museum official page