Crickhowell, or Crucywel as it is called in Welsh, is a little town in the county of Powys located in Mid-Wales. The name comes from the Iran Age hill fort that is located near by named Crug Hywel. The fort towers above the town. The town sits on the banks of River Usk, in the part that is located on the edge of the Black Mountains. This is the location of Brecon Beacons National Park's eastern part. The surrounding countryside include 20,000 acres that for a portion of the estate of Glanusk Park. The population of the town is roughly 2,800.
The high school, Crickhowell High School, has roughly 670 students. It was ranked 77th in Wales in 2000 based on its GCSE results. Since this its test grades have risen dramatically and according to the most recent reports by Estyn, the rate of students passing rose 72%, giving the school the 19th place and making it part of the top 10% in Wales. It is also the 4th best high school in Powys after, Usgol Uwchradd Llanidlows, Builth Wells High School and Llanfyllin High School.
Some historical sites in Crickhowell include a stone bridge from the 1st Century that goes over the River Usk. The bridge has an odd number of arches, with 13 on one side and 12 on the other as well as seats built into its walls. Then there is the St. Edmunds, a parish church from the 14th Century and the Crickhowell Castle ruins that rest beside the A40. The castle was originally constructed as a bailey castle and mote in 1121 by Robert Turberville who was part of a family of Norman Lords. In 1273 it was occupied by Hugh Turberville as a mesne lord. King Edward called upon Hugh Turberville, a Seneschal of Gascony, to train the Welsh army as well as transform the royal army into a disciplined medieval army that was able to conquer Wales. He led both the infantry and the calvary that together totaled 6,000 men. The men had been recruited from the Welsh Marshes. Hugh died in 1293 and was the last of the Turberville direct blood line.
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