View source for Lisvane

{{Short description|Community in Cardiff, Wales}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Llysfaen]] in Conwy, Wales}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Original research|date=February 2018}}
}}

{{infobox UK place
| country                     = Wales
| welsh_name                  = Llys-faen
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Cardiff North (Assembly constituency)|Cardiff North]]
| coordinates                 = {{coord|51.55|-3.16|display=inline,title}}
| official_name               = Lisvane
| unitary_wales               = [[Cardiff]]
| community_wales             = Lisvane
| lieutenancy_wales           = [[Cardiff]]
| constituency_westminster    = [[Cardiff North (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff North]]
| post_town                   = CARDIFF
| postcode_district           = CF14
| postcode_area               = CF
| dial_code                   = +44-29
| os_grid_reference           = ST190830
| population                  = 3,707
| population_ref              = (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lisvane-w05000865#sthash.80igZq3N.dpbs|title=Ward population 2011 |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>
| static_image_name           = Pub and church in Lisvane - geograph.org.uk - 1909510.jpg
| static_image_caption        = Church Road, Lisvane
| module=
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| [[File:2024 Wales Cardiff Community Lisvane map.svg|240px]]
| Show map of the community
| [[File:Cew lisvane.jpg|240px]]
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}}
'''Lisvane''' ({{langx|cy|Llys-faen}}) is a [[community (Wales)|community]] in the north of [[Cardiff]], the capital of [[Wales]], located {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} north of the city centre.  Lisvane is generally considered to be one of the wealthiest residential areas of Wales, with many properties worth in excess of £1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/home-values/lisvane/|title=Lisvane's home values|publisher=Zoopla|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> Lisvane had 3,319 residents in 2001 <ref>[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=779&$ph=60_61&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=8&containerAreaId=790580 Office for National Statistics : ''Neighbourhood Statistics : Census 2001 : Cardiff'']</ref> and has about 1,700 dwellings, a local [[village shop]], primary school, community cabin library, park, nursery, [[parish church]], [[pub|public house]], [[war memorial]], [[Scouting|Scout]] hall and community or [[village hall]].

==History==

===Early history===
The [[Welsh language]] name Llys-faen means 'Stone Court' (''llys'' – court and ''maen'', [[lenition|mutated]] to ''faen'' – stone). There have been several alternative spellings in the English language over the centuries, such as Lysvayen, Lucyvene, Llisuine, Lyssefayn, Lysfayn, Lucyvine, Lucyvenye, Lucyveny, Leysvayen, Les Ffayne and Lliffeni. The village probably settled on the present name from around 1630.
  
Each early Welsh kingdom was divided into lesser administrative units, ''[[cantref]]i'', which were further subdivided into ''cymydau'' ([[commote]]s). In each commote the royal taxation house was a large building made almost certainly of stone because it had to be permanent, weather proof and thief proof. The commote of [[Cibbwr]]/Kibbor was on land between [[Cefn Onn ridge]] and the coast, and most historians agree that Llys-faen was its administrative centre, although [[Roath]] has also staked a claim. There is now no indication of the actual whereabouts of the Llys Faen or Stone Court, although various theories have been advanced.

The earthworks at Graig Llwyn is held{{By whom|date=January 2023}} to be the oldest artificial feature in Lisvane, proposed by several archaeologists to be the remains of an [[Iron Age]] stronghold. No definite date or purpose can yet be confirmed for this earthwork.

At the start of the 13th century the parish lands of Llanishen and Lisvane had been divided into Norman [[manorialism|manors]] that were expected to provide food for the [[castle]] garrison at [[Cardiff]]. The southern facing slopes of the ridge above Lisvane with their rich agricultural land soon became the grain growing area for the supplies which were transported to Roath Mill for processing.
  
There is a local legend that [[Oliver Cromwell]] once stayed at the Black Griffin Inn,<ref>{{cite news|author=Lynne Barrett-Lee |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-opinion/lynne-barrett-lee-cheers-great-7253313 |title=Lynne Barrett Lee: Cheers to some great friends |work=Wales Online |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref> prior to the [[Battle of St Fagans]] in May 1648 and that the Cromwell family once lived there briefly. There is no evidence to support this, though Cromwell must have lodged somewhere, but it is more likely that the inn's only Cromwellian association is with soldiers of Cromwell's [[New Model Army]]. Cromwell was, however, of Welsh ancestry (his real name was Williams) and [[Richard Williams (alias Cromwell)|his great-grandfather]] came from this area.

===The Tŷ Mawr===
Tŷ Mawr is a historic house on the Graig slope overlooking the village. It was built as a farmhouse in the 18th to early 19th centuries<ref>{{Coflein|num=20189 |desc=Ty Mawr Inn (former Frmhse At) |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> and was in the estate of the Lewis family. In 1900 part of the estate was let to Lisvane Golf Club, which established a 9-hole course there; but two years later, the club moved to [[Radyr]], taking the clubhouse with them. From just after the [[Second World War]], the [[fox hound]]s of the local Lisvane Hunt were kennelled at Tŷ Mawr until it became a [[public house]] in the 1960s.

The Llanishen and Lisvane Hunt had several homes over the years, with the hunts most recently setting off from Llan Farm on Graig Llwyn Road. The village hunt disbanded around 1997 on the death of the hunt's Master.

There is a local tradition that for a period during the 1800s, Erw-wen, on Rudry Road, was also a [[Beer parlour|pub or beer house]], possibly called the Red Cow, although no documentary proof has been found.

===Lisvane and the Cold War===
A few yards away from the [[Ordnance Survey]]'s [[triangulation point]] on the Graig stands Lisvane's only [[Cold War]] [[nuclear bunker]]. During [[World War II]] the [[Royal Observer Corps]] (ROC) observation post stood on the Graig with its clear views over the village and the city of Cardiff. The volunteer ROC observers spotted many German [[Luftwaffe]] raids approaching across the channel{{clarify|date=February 2025}}{{Fix|text=Bristol Channel?}} and activated the air raid warnings in the Cardiff area. In early 1966 a protected nuclear [[fallout shelter]] (or bunker) was completed on the site for the ROC (at OS Grid Ref: ST 1898 8508); by the 1960s they had switched from above ground aircraft spotting to underground operations with instruments to detect nuclear explosions and warn the public of approaching radioactive fallout in the event of [[nuclear war]].

The only time observers were mobilised, and volunteers spent nearly ten days underground, was during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] as the government prepared the country for the potential outbreak of war. The Lisvane nuclear bunker was abandoned by the ROC in 1991 when the Corps itself was disbanded with the end of the [[Cold War]] and as a result of recommendations in the government's [[Options for Change]] review of UK defence. The Lisvane nuclear bunker still exists, but it was purchased by a mobile phone communications company who built a radio mast inside the fenced compound and sited some of their equipment in the underground facility.

===Notable domestic architecture===
[[File:The Dingle, Lisvane, July 2020.jpg|thumb|right|The Dingle in July 2020]]

Several properties in Lisvane are listed for their historical and architectural significance by [[Cadw]]. [[Ty Gwyn, Lisvane|Ty Gwyn]] on Lisvane Road was built as the personal residence of builder James E. Turner of E. Turner and Sons and is listed Grade II. The firm was responsible for much of the construction of Cardiff's [[Cathays Park]] civic centre.<ref name="CADWTy">{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=26942 |desc=Ty Gwyn |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> It was latterly the home of financier [[Julian Hodge]].<ref name=WalesOnlineMar14>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/welsh-homes/inside-3m-home-wales-most-6787842|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230121109/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/welsh-homes/inside-3m-home-wales-most-6787842|archive-date=30 December 2020|url-status=live|title=Inside the £3m home of Wales' most famous financier|date=8 March 2014|author=Kirstie McCrum|work=Wales Online|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> Lisvane House on Mill Road was built in the [[Arts and Crafts architecture|Arts and Crafts]] style by architect Edwin Seward.<ref name="CADWLis">{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=23229 |desc=Lisvane House |access-date=29 September 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> The Dingle is toward the upper end of Mill Road. It was designed by [[Percy Thomas]], and is also listed Grade II.<ref name="CADWDin">{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=23231 |desc=The Dingle |access-date=29 September 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

==Governance==
[[Image:Cew lisvane.jpg|thumb|left|Lisvane electoral ward in Cardiff]]

===Community Council===
The village has an elected [[community council]] which is funded by a precept on council tax bills in the local area. It provides support to a number of community services. The council currently has ten councillors (9 Independent, 1 Conservative) with elections held every five years. The last election was held at the same time as the [[2017 Cardiff Council election]] and the next election is due in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Your Local Councillors|url=http://www.lisvanecommunity.org.uk/Lisvane-CC/community_council-7044.aspx#councillors|publisher=Lisvane Community Council|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref>{{Fix|text=out of date}}

===Cardiff Council ward===
Since 1999 the [[ward (politics)|electoral ward]] of Lisvane has elected one councillor to [[Cardiff Council]], namely David Walker for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].<ref name=electionscentre>{{cite web |url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Cardiff-1995-2012.pdf |title=Cardiff Council Election Results 1995-2012 |publisher=The Elections Centre |access-date=2018-04-27 }}</ref> Before 1999, Lisvane was, with [[Old St Mellons|St Mellons]] and [[Pontprennau]], part of the ward of [[Lisvane and St Mellons]], which elected a single councillor to Cardiff Council. At the [[1995 City of Cardiff Council election|1995 election]], Lisvane and St Mellons was the only ward in Cardiff to elect a Conservative councillor.<ref name=electionscentre /> By 1999, the growth of Pontprennau led to the establishment of a separate ward of [[Pontprennau & Old St. Mellons|Pontprennau and Old St. Mellons]], which elects two councillors, and Lisvane became a ward on its own.

The ward was bounded by those of [[Caerphilly (county borough)|Caerphilly county borough]] to the north; [[Pontprennau & Old St. Mellons]] to the east; [[Pentwyn (electoral ward)|Pentwyn]] to the southeast; [[Llanishen (electoral ward)|Llanishen]] and [[Cyncoed]] to the south; and [[Rhiwbina]] to the west.

Following a boundary review and a projected population increase, the new community of [[Thornhill, Cardiff|Thornhill]] will be transferred from the [[Llanishen (electoral ward)|Llanishen ward]] to Lisvane, effective from the [[2022 Cardiff Council election]].{{Fix|text=out of date}} The ward will be renamed "Lisvane and Thornhill" and elect three councillors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/11-20/cardiff-final-recommendations |title=Cardiff Final Recommendations |publisher=[[Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales]] |date=5 November 2020 |accessdate=2021-11-27}}</ref>

===Senedd===
[[File:Cerrig Llwyd, Lisvane Road, August 2019 01.jpg|thumb|right|Grade II listed buildings (Carn Ingli ''(left)'' and Cerrig Llwyd ''(right)'') in Lisvane]]
The [[Senedd]] representative for Cardiff North is Welsh Labour MS [[Julie Morgan]].

===Westminster===
Lisvane lies within the parliamentary constituency of [[Cardiff North (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff North]], which has been represented since 2017 by [[Anna McMorrin]] (Labour).

==Geography==
===Geological structure===
The surrounding [[soil]]s are mostly a strong, brown, dry earth, well adapted for arable farming and the growing of grains of all kinds that contributed to the area being a mostly farming community until the modern era. Soils were further enriched over the millennia by [[Alluvium|alluvial deposits]] from the meandering River Taff and other smaller tributaries. The substratum under the whole area is a [[limestone]] and lime shale that was likely laid down under a warm ocean at some stage in the distant past and subsequently ground down by [[glacier]]s during the [[Last Glacial Period|last ice age]] around 18,000 years ago.

===M4 motorway===
The neighbouring suburbs are [[Llanishen]] to the south, Thornhill to the west, [[Pontprennau]] to the east, and Lisvane's effective northern border is the [[M4 motorway]]. The M4 corridor around Cardiff was announced in 1971 as a replacement for a northern link road that had been proposed since 1947 but never built. The northern 'Lisvane route' for the M4 was eventually chosen after a number of public enquiries and objections from village residents. The new motorway was completed and opened in July 1980.

===The Graig===
[[Craig Llysfaen|The Graig]] is a hill situated north of Lisvane. It borders on [[Caerphilly]]. There is also a quarry near the Graig which is now abandoned. The [[Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk]] runs along the top of the Graig, and has some very good walks and [[mountain biking]] routes. Particular favourites for locals include routes to the east to [[Rudry]] and the Maenllwyd Inn, and to the west to [[Caerphilly mountain]], The Travellers Rest, and further on to [[Tongwynlais]], [[Castell Coch]] and the [[Taff Trail]].

==Demography==
The [[United Kingdom Census 2011]] showed that the total population of Lisvane was 3,707. The average age was 44.6 years old and 69% of the adult population were married.

Of the 3,707 total, children under the age of 19 accounted for 864 and people over the age of 65 totalled 866.

1,515 were in full-time employment, and 188 of those worked exclusively from home. Of those that travelled to their place of employment 1,090 drove by private car, 74 travelled by train and 43 by bus, 34 walked, 9 cycled and 77 travelled as passengers in other vehicles.

The White population accounted for 92.6% of the residents; of the remainder 4.2% were Asian, 0.5% Chinese, 1.5% were of mixed race and 0.2% were Black.{{Fix|text=Sums to 99%. What about the other 1%?}}

==Economy==
There are little in the way of major employers in the village. The area still has a predominantly farming economy. Some local employment is provided by the service industries of the shops and public houses. The general affluence in the village is mainly drawn from employment in the commerce and industry centre of the capital city. An increasing number of employees are working from home via high speed internet links and telephone.

Following improvements in the road and rail infrastructure some Lisvane residents commute daily to work in Bristol or London.

==Landmarks==
[[File:Parc Cefn Onn May 2024 (5).jpg|thumb|Parc Cefn Onn]]
* Parc Cefn Onn
* The war memorial
* St Denys Church
* Graig Llwyn earthworks
* The Graig Mountain
* [[Lisvane Reservoir]]
* [[Lisvane (CAC) Tennis Club]]

==Education==
[[Corpus Christi Roman Catholic High School, Cardiff|Corpus Christi High School]] is the only secondary school located within Lisvane, just on its boundary with the ward of [[Cyncoed]]. However, school age residents fall into the catchment area for [[Llanishen High School]] in the ward of [[Llanishen]], which is more accessible.

Llysfaen Primary School serves the local population of 4- to 11-year-olds.

==Religion ==
[[File:St Denys Church, Lisvane - geograph.org.uk - 938276.jpg|thumb|[[Church of St Denys, Lisvane]]]]
[[Church of St Denys, Lisvane|St Denys' Church]] ([[Church in Wales]]) in the centre of the village was built in the 12th<ref>History of St Denys</ref> century and remodelled several times since.<ref>[http://www.stdenyschurch.org.uk St Denys Church Website]</ref> The [[listed building]] is notable for the imposing and unusual tower with a pitched roof but lacks the normal [[Norman architecture|Norman]] [[castellation]]s.

The first [[Baptist]] Chapel in Lisvane was built in 1789 on Chapel Road, now renamed Rudry Road, and only stood for less than thirty years until it had to be rebuilt during 1818. Less than forty years later the foundations of the second church were becoming unsafe and a third chapel was constructed, but by 1910 further renovations and repairs were necessary as it had become dilapidated. Lisvane Baptist church now meets in the Memorial Hall on Heol-y-Delyn Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.lisvanebaptist.org/locations-2/ |website=Lisvane Baptist Church |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> Methodist services are also held in the Memorial Hall.

[[Howell Harris]], one of the most famous pioneer [[Calvinistic Methodist]] ministers, preached regularly during meetings held at several private houses in Lisvane between 1766 and 1769, just before his death.

==Sports and recreation==
Lisvane [[Cricket]] Club was formed in 1976. The club is now based at Llwynarthen in nearby St Mellons. They run 5 adult league sides, with the 1st XI playing in the South East Wales Cricket League Division 1, as well as running youth sides from Under 9 to Under 19.

Lisvane Panthers Junior [[association football|Football]] Club fields sides in the under 8 Mini league, the Juniors at 11 – under 16 and an over 16 youth team.

Lisvane Panthers [[association football|Football]] Club, home ground [[Cardiff University]] pitches in Llanrumney, entered the Lazarou League in 2011. The team won three league and cup doubles (Division 4 in 2012, Division 3 in 2013, Division 2 in 2014) as well as reaching consecutive Lazarou Cup finals in 2013 and 2014.

[[Lisvane (CAC) Tennis Club]] is located just north of [[Lisvane and Thornhill railway station]] and is the tennis section of the [[Cardiff Athletic Club]].

The nearest [[rugby union]] team is in nearby Llanishen.

==Public services and village facilities==
{{multiple image
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 |image1 = Cefn Onn Park (geograph 6315831).jpg
 |image2 = Lisvane and Thornhill Station.jpg
 |footer = Parc Cefn Onn (left) is a woodland park located near the [[Lisvane & Thornhill railway station]] (right).
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The area is served by [[Lisvane & Thornhill railway station]] with services northbound to [[Rhymney railway station|Rhymney]] and southbound to [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] via [[Cardiff Queen Street railway station|Cardiff Queen Street]].

[[Cardiff Bus]] operates services 27 (Thornhill/Birchgrove/Heath/Cathays), 28 (Llanishen/Roath), and 86 (Llanishen/Heath/Gabalfa/Cathays) from [[Cardiff Central bus station]] through the area.

There are two [[pub]]s in Lisvane; the ''Ty Mawr'' and the ''Black Griffin'', named after the Tredegar House Morgan family's arms that featured a ''[[Charge (heraldry)|gryphon, sable, segreant]]'', and only recently returned to its traditional name having been called simply ''The Griffin'' for many years. There is a third pub called ''The Old Cottage'' just across the railway line that divides [[Thornhill, Wales|Thornhill]] and Lisvane.

A kilometre from the centre of the village is ''Parc Cefn Onn'' or Cefn Onn Country Park, an extensive mixed species [[arboretum]], with lakes and woodland walks. The park was laid out around ninety years ago and planted by the railway manager who lived in a large estate near [[Cefn Onn Halt railway station|Cefn Onn Halt]], at the time Lisvane's tiny "request only" and underused railway station, which closed in 1985 when it was replaced by the current modern railway station closer to the village. Cefn Onn Halt stood a hundred metres away from the railway tunnel that vanishes under Llanishen Golf Club and [[Caerphilly]] mountain.

==Notable people with Lisvane connections==

{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2018}}

*[[Dave Edmunds]], musician and record producer, lived in the village in the 1970s and early 1980s.
*[[Alun Hoddinott]], composer, lived in Lisvane until his death in 2008.
*Sir [[Julian Hodge]] (1904–2004), founder of the [[Bank of Wales]] and the Jane Hodge Foundation. Hodge owned [[Ty Gwyn, Lisvane|Ty Gwyn]] and later lived as a tax exile in Jersey.<ref name=Guard>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/jul/21/guardianobituaries.obituaries|title=Sir Julian Hodge|date=21 July 2004|author=John Cunningham|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref>
*[[Gwilym Jones]], Member of Parliament and Under Secretary of State for Wales, 1992–1997, lives in Lisvane.
*[[Robert Rogers, Baron Lisvane]], [[Clerk of the House of Commons]], 2011–14.
*[[John Tabatabai]], poker player, previously lived in Lisvane.
*[[Joe Jacobson]], footballer, grew up in Lisvane.
*[[Rhys Griffiths (footballer)|Rhys Griffiths]], footballer, grew up in Lisvane.
*[[Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink]], footballer, lived in Lisvane whilst playing for Cardiff City.
*[[Luke Rowe]], cyclist for SKY. Attended Llysfaen Primary School.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lisvanecommunity.org.uk Lisvane Community Council]
*[http://www.lisvanepanthers.co.uk/ Lisvane Panthers Junior Football Club]
*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2790850 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Lisvane and surrounding area]
*[http://www.friendsofcefnonn.org.uk Friends of Parc Cefn Onn]

{{Cardiff}}
{{Communities of Cardiff}}
{{Politics and Government in Cardiff}}

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[[Category:Villages in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Communities in Cardiff]]