Knighton (Welsh: Trefyclo or Trefyclawdd, "Town on the Dyke") is a town in Powys (traditional county of Radnorshire), mid-Wales, but also partly in Shropshire, England. It lies on the River Teme and straddles the English-Welsh border, with the town's railway station being located in Shropshire, England, as well as part of the town's built up area.
It became prosperous as a centre of the wool trade from the 15th century, and was later an important point on the routes from Hereford to Montgomery, and from London to Aberystwyth. Knighton was finally placed in Wales in 1535 by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542 (Act of Union).
Knighton is known for its well preserved section of Offa's Dyke, and it lies on the Offa's Dyke Path and Glyndwr's Way, two long-distance walking paths. The Offa's Dyke Association has a visitors' centre in the town. Wat's Dyke also runs parallel to Offa's Dyke, a few miles to the east. Caer Caradoc, an Iron Age hillfort associated with Caractacus lies nearby, towards Clun, and Watling Street passes a few miles away at Leintwardine.
A Norman castle was constructed in the 12th century, and the town became a borough in 1203, with a charter permitting a weekly market and annual fair. The castle was besieged by Owain Glyndŵr in 1402 and the castle and much of the town were destroyed. The town soon became prosperous again as a centre of the wool trade. The church dates from the 11th century, although much was rebuilt in the 19th century, and is one of only two in Wales dedicated to St Edward.
Local attractions include the remains of the castle motte (which is still visible), an observatory with a telescope, Europe's largest camera obscura and a planetarium. The observatory is part of the Spaceguard UK project which searches for asteroids which might threaten the earth.
On August 18, 2004, fish fell from the sky in one of the most recent instances of raining animals within the United Kingdom.
Most locals consider the town neither Welsh or English, just plain and simple Knighton. Today the town is a peaceful quiet place - a large village, you would think, but it is a town with a population of around 3,800.
 Trains: Knighton is on the Heart of Wales Line |
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