Claiming to be the smallest town in Britain, with just 601 people, Llanwrtyd Wells is best known today for the somewhat bizarre events that it hosts. Llanwrtyd Wells grew as a spa town, based around the Ffynon Droellwyd spring, which reportedly cured a local vicar of the scurvy. The Victorians visited the town in numbers to take the waters for their “beneficial therapeutic effects”. The spring is still there today but most visitors today prefer to jump in a bog with a snorkel rather than imbibe the smelly water!
Today the town is the site of both the World Bog Snorkelling Championships and the annual Man versus Horse Marathon, as well as many other annual events.
Llanwrtyd Wells most famous son appears to be “Jumping” Joe Savoldi, (real name Joe Fornini) an imposing 6’, 220lbs specimen of Welsh manhood who has made a successful career in Pro Wrestling in the USA.
Further information on events in Llantwrtyd Wells can be found here:
Man Versus Horse Marathon Event Info
Man Versus Horse 2009 photo gallery
World Bog Snorkelling Championship
