LLOWES, a parish, in the union of HAY, hundred of PAINSCASTLE, county of RADNOR, SOUTH WALES, 3 miles (W.) from Hay;
containing 390 inhabitants. This place is situated at the southern extremity of the county, on the bank of the river Wye,
by which it is separated from the parish of Llanigan, in Radnorshire; and is bounded on the north by the parish of
Llanddewi-Viich, towards the east by that of Clyro, and on the south-west and west by that of Glasbury; it comprises by
computation about 2500 acres, of which 2000 are inclosed, and consist of pasture and arable land, and the remainder is
wood and mountain, the latter greatly predominating. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, and in some parts
picturesque; and the higher grounds command interesting views of the adjacent country. The soil is a reddish earth,
producing chiefly grain, and grass for hay; and large flocks of sheep and Herefordshire cattle are grazed on the high
lands. Travelley, an ancient mansion, and BrSmyrhydd, a modern residence, are within the parish, which also contains the
village of Llowes and the hamlet of Moity, the former situated on a level ground near the Wye, surrounded by mountain
scenery: the lower lands are ornamented with trees of oak, elm, &c., and with the windings of the river. The living is a
discharged vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Llanddewi-Vfich annexed, rated in the king's books at £8.10.; present
net income, £132; patron and appropriator, Archdeacon of Brecknock. The church, dedicated to St. 1Vleilig, is an ancient
structure, consisting of a nave and chancel, and appears to have undergone extensive alterations and repairs, principally
in the later style of English architecture; it is 81 feet in length and 24 in breadth, and contains about 250 sittings, of
which 60 or 70 are free. A National school, established in 1830, contains about 40 children of both sexes, and is partly
supported by subscriptions amounting to £20 per annum, and partly by payments from the parents. Mrs. Susannah 'Howarth, in
1704, bequeathed a rent-charge of 10s., the produce of which was annually distributed in bread among the poor; but no
payment has been made on account of this charity for many years.