The village of Bishopston (Welsh: Llandeilo Ferwallt) is situated on the Gower peninsula, some 6 miles (9.5 km) west-southwest of the centre of Swansea in South Wales. Forming part of the Bishopston ward of the City and County of Swansea, it is one of the largest villages on Gower. Bishopston has its own rugby club, South Gower RFC, and its own primary and comprehensive schools. Local beaches include Brandy Cove, Caswell Bay and Pwll Du.
Bishopston Church, located at the head of Bishopston Valley is dedicated to St Teilo who gives the village its Welsh name.
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Education
The comprehensive school, Bishopston Comprehensive, was the highest performing comprehensive school in Wales in the 2008 GCSE exams, with 16.85% A*, and 38.93% A* and A combined. (The times online)."The Thunderer" rated the school 8th best Comprehensive without a 6th form in England & Wales. In 2007 the school was rated amongst the top comprehensive schools in The UK (The Sunday Times league tables 2007) with one of the highest percentage of A*-C grades, and A*/A grades at GCSE - Joint 4th best Comprehensive without a 6th form in England & Wales. According to the latest inspection report by Estyn the school had a pass rate of 79% which put it in 7th place in Wales.
Shops and services
Bishopston offers the following shops and services:
- Spar
- Lamplighter Cafe (Beverages, Cards, Gifts)
- Model Shop (Model trains, planes, cars)
- Post Office
- Sports Hall
- Sheila's Book Store
Tourist attractions
Many people visiting Bishopston are attracted to its coastline, mainly Caswell Bay because of its easy accessibility. Other Bishopston beaches, such as Pwll Du and Brandy Cove, which can only be visited on foot, remain untouched by the majority of visitors.
Population and Housing
The population of Bishopston has increased steadily from the beginning of the 19th century. In 1801, the first census of England and Wales reported that 303 people were living in 73 houses in the parish of Bishopston. By 1931 the population had increased to around 1500 people living in 369 houses[1]. In 2001 the population of the village was 3341[2]. The village experienced significant growth between the First and Second World Wars and in the 1960s.
Bishopston's rural location has influenced the pattern of its development. Most dwellings are detached or semi-detached and benefit from generous gardens. As a result, property in Bishopston is expensive by the standards of most of South Wales and is beyond the reach of many first time buyers. Nearly all of the property in Bishopston is privately owned, with only 1% of homes rented from the local authority[2].
External links
- Bishopston Comprehensive
- Bishopston.org.uk Community Website
- Bishopston Church
- Holiday & background information on the village of Bishopston
- The Parish church of St Teilo, Bishopston
References
- ^ Orrin, G. R (1982) A History of Bishopston, Gomer Press. ISBN 0 85088507 8
- ^ a b Electoral Division Profile, Swansea .gov.uk
Coordinates: 51°37′10″N 3°57′05″W / 51.61958°N 3.95142°W
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