Welshadd

Welshadd is a small hamlet situated in the county of Monmouthshire in south‑east Wales, approximately three miles north of the market town of Abergavenny. The settlement lies within the civil parish of Llanarth and is surrounded by gently rolling farmland and pasture, with the River Usk forming its northern boundary.

The origin of the place name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Welshad," indicating a settlement associated with Welsh or Welsh people. The hamlet grew around a manor house, known today as Welshadd Hall, which dates back to the late 13th century. The Hall was once the seat of the de Lych family and later of the Tudor-Boughton line before passing into the hands of local gentry in the 18th century.

Welshadd Hall remains a key landmark; it is a listed building with a Grade II designation for its medieval timber frame and 18th‑century stonework. Nearby is St. Mary's Church, a simple 12th‑century stone chapel that serves as the community’s ecclesiastical centre. The surrounding fields support primarily pasture and small‑scale arable farming, contributing to the local economy.

The population of Welshadd has remained modest; a 1961 census recorded just under 100 residents, and the 2011 census suggests a similar figure. The hamlet is served by the A465 trunk road to the south, giving road links to Abergavenny and beyond, and the nearest railway station is at Abergavenny on the Brecon to Newport line. Local transport is largely community based, with occasional bus service to larger towns.

Welshadd’s history and rural character are reflected in its well‑preserved buildings and its role as a quiet residential and farming community within Monmouthshire.