Llanbister
Llanbister is a village in Powys, Wales. Historically it was a parish in Radnorshire.[1] The current community has effectively identical boundaries to the old parish, as of 2011 it has a population of 382.
The village is at the eastern side of the River Ithon. The church is believed to have been established in the 6th century as the cell of St Cynllo. It was one of the most important churches in the region, the mother church of North Radnorshire, and an early 'clas' foundation.[2]
This original church is entirely lost today. The oldest surviving part is the nave, dating to c.1300, other parts date as late as the early 18th century. At the south-eastern corner of the churchyard is a holy well named Pistyll Cynllo. There is no evidence for any other buildings in the village dating to the 16th century or earlier, though a number of farms in the parish do.[2]
The village's name was recorded as early as 1252 as Lambister and in 1234 as Lanbyster. This name could perhaps be explained by an otherwise unrecorded saint called 'Pister' (or similar).[2]
Llanbister Road railway station, at the south-eastern edge of the parish, was built to serve Llanbister. It is located about 5 miles east of the village. A small settlement seems to have grown next to the station.