Splott
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Splott (Welsh: Y Sblot) is a district and community in the south of the city of Cardiff, capital of Wales, just east of the city centre. It was built up in the late 19th century on the land of two farms of the same name: Upper Splott and Lower Splott Farms. Splott is characterised by its once vast steelworks and rows of tightly knit terraced houses. The suburb of Splott falls into the Splott electoral ward.
Key Information
Fanciful suggestions for the origin of the name have included a truncation of God's Plot, as the land belonged to the Bishop of Llandaff in medieval times, and a derivation of plat, meaning a grassy area of land. The name of the original farm would seem to be Middle English splott, from Old English ('speck, blot, patch of land') and the word is to be found in other English place names in the Vale of Glamorgan, Gower, and Pembrokeshire, as well as in Somerset and Devon, in the West Country of England, from where it was presumably introduced by English settlers. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.[2]
The population of Splott in the United Kingdom Census 2001[3] was 12,074, in 5,101 households, of which only 183 are detached homes. Of the 8,221 adults in the area, only 1,000 have the lowest category of qualifications (Level 1 or below). In 2011 the population had increased to 13,261.[1]
History
[edit]Splott is a traditional part of the City of Cardiff. Most of the housing stock is Victorian in origin built during the expansion of the city's iron and steel industry to house workers in these factories.
The early history of Splott is given in the Cardiff Records.[4] This says that "Splott was anciently held by the Bawdrips of Penmark. It consisted mainly of two farms, called the Upper and Lower Splott, situated between Roath Village and the sea."
- 1440 – the Splott is mentioned as bounding certain lands of Isabel le Despenser, Countess of Worcester and Warwick.
- 1596 – William Bawdrip of Penmark built a fair house at the Splott and made it his chief residence.
- 1626 – William Bawdrip of Splott was Member of Parliament for Cardiff. He sold Penmark and Splott to Sir Edward Lewis of the Van.
- 1638 – Sir Edward Lewis of the Van died.
- 1740 – the Llandaff Survey of this year mentions a chief rent of four shillings as payable in respect of Splott Farm in Roath.

No residential or industrial development took place in the area, however, until the end of the 19th century. In 1880 the whole area between Cardiff and the Bristol Channel (known as East Moors) was marshland, apart from the farms of Pengam and Splott. Residential development started in the 1880s, constructing streets, houses, shops, taverns and Board Schools; subsequently, Churches were built by various denominations.[5][6] The streets and housing were laid out by Habershon & Fawckner, architects for the Tredegar Estate.[7] Splott park opened in 1901.[8]
Inevitably there have been many changes in the years since Splott was first developed. Portmanmoor Road is now an industrial estate and its former Victorian era housing was demolished along with adjoining Enid Street, Layard Street, and Menelaus Street which no longer exist.
There is a strong community focus and this is centred on churches, schools, pubs and sporting teams. Roman Catholics remain well catered for through St. Albans and the associated school. This continues to produce rugby teams of all age groups which compete in city leagues. Splott University Settlement was one of the most successful British baseball teams, winning the Welsh League title several times.
Bridgend Street was one of the 17 streets demolished in the early 1970s, but to this day is recalled in the name of Bridgend Street Football Club, which plays in the Welsh Football League.[9] The nickname of Bridgend Street is "The Mission" and motto is "Deeds Not Words". Their home base is The Fleurs Social Club on Portmanmoor Road.[9]
In 2016 the Tremorfa district, which had previously been included as part of Splott, became a local government community in its own right.[10] There is no community council for the Splott or Tremorfa areas.
In July 2017 the derelict citadel church collapsed with debris falling on the nearby rail line. One man died.[11][12]
The Welsh language
[edit]The earliest known example of Welsh-language literature from Splott is a poem by the Elizabethan poet Dafydd Benwyn on the death of William Bawdrip of Splott.[13] It includes the couplet:
Du yw'r Ysblot dros y blaid,
Diweniaith, da i weiniaid
Splott is black for his people,
Without flattery, (he was) good to the weak
With the growth of Splott as a suburb of Cardiff, English was established as the main language.[citation needed]
The number of Welsh speakers in the area increased when East Moors Steelworks was opened in 1891 with large numbers of workers from the parent plant at Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil. To meet the religious needs of these Welsh-speaking workers, Welsh-language chapels were opened in the area, including Ainon, Walker Road (1894, Welsh Baptists);[14] Bethlehem, Eyre Street (1895, Welsh Independents);[15] and Jerusalem, Manon Street/Walker Road (1892, Calvinistic Methodists).[15]
According to the 2011 UK Census the number of Splott residents over three years old who could speak Welsh was 1,077 (8.6%).[16]
Splott has one Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol Glan Morfa.[17]
People
[edit]
- John Humphrys (radio and TV presenter) was born in Splott.[18]
- Dame Shirley Bassey (singer) originated from nearby Tiger Bay, but moved to Splott at the age of two and attended Moorland Primary School and Splott Secondary Modern School.[19]
- Clive Sullivan (Welsh rugby league player) grew up in Splott.[20]
- Helen Raynor, writer of the Torchwood episode "Ghost Machine", which is also largely set there, lives in Splott.
- Lynn Bowles, the morning traffic reporter on BBC Radio 2, was born in Splott.[21]
Popular culture
[edit]
Splott is featured in the third episode ("Ghost Machine") of the BBC science fiction drama and Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, which is set in Cardiff. It is also mentioned somewhat humorously in other episodes, due to its English pronunciation, which was referred to as "SP-LO-T" but was corrected as "SP-LO". Splott also features in the Torchwood novel Another Life.
Splott and the neighbouring district of Tremorfa are the settings for several works by Welsh playwright Peter Gill.
Because the morning BBC Radio 2 traffic reports are read by the Splott-born Lynn Bowles, many listener contributions to the Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce shows feature (primarily fictitious) anecdotes humorously referring to the district. Lynn was affectionately known as "The Totty from Splotty". On 14 December 2009, Wogan was made Lord of Splott live on his radio programme in its final week, by resident and broadcaster Noreen Bray. She invested him on behalf of TAFFS, or Terry's Adoring Fans From Splott.[22]
Splott is the setting of “Iphigenia in Splott”, a modern-day reworking of the classic Greek drama, by Welsh playwright Gary Owen. It premiered at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre in 2015, before transferring to the National Theatre in London and the 59E59 Theaters in New York in 2016.
Governance
[edit]Splott is also an electoral ward and parish of Cardiff, Wales. The electoral ward includes the areas of Pengam Green, Splott and Tremorfa. The ward is bounded by Adamsdown and Penylan to the northwest; Rumney and Trowbridge to the north east; the Severn estuary to the south east and Butetown to the south west. It is a multi-member ward, with three councillors. The ward has generally returned Labour party candidates, including Jack Brooks, who served two terms as Leader of South Glamorgan County Council. Gordon Houlston was a Splott Labour Councillor for over 30 years and was Chairman of South Glamorgan County Council, and Deputy Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor of the City of Cardiff. He was made a Papal Knight (KSG) by Pope John Paul 2 for services to the Catholic Church.
Since May 2017, the ward has been represented by Welsh Labour Councillors Jane Henshaw, Ed Stubbs, and Huw Thomas. Huw Thomas is also the current Leader of Cardiff Council.
In the UK Parliament, Splott is part of the constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth. Its most prominent MP was former Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan. The current MP is Labour's Stephen Doughty, first elected in 2012.
In the Welsh Senedd, Splott is part of the constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth, whose current MS is Labour's Vaughan Gething, first elected in 2011.
Splott Green Hub
[edit]In October 2018, two Splott residents Rebecca Clark and Hannah Garcia, launched a public campaign to stop the local council from selling land near Railway Street in Splott for development. A petition protesting against the decision gathered more than 2,500 signatures within five days.[23]
Green City, also known as Green Squirrel, are a community-led environmental group that want to transform the unused site into a new eco-friendly social hub for Splott and Adamsdown. The campaign successfully stopped the sale and the council have now leased the land to the group for community benefit.[24]
According to the 2014 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, Splott and Adamsdown are among the most deprived areas of Wales, and both wards have an open space deficit compared to the standard recreational open space requirement for Cardiff. It is hoped that the Railway Street site can be used to help improve the local community and support other green projects in the area.[25]
According to the project website, plans could include a sustainable community hub building for workshops and events as well as affordable shipping containers for small businesses. Food growing and composting areas, bee hives and other wildlife habitats could also be created on the land to support local biodiversity and outdoor play and learning.[24]
Cardiff districts
[edit]Splott is part of the STAR area of Cardiff (STAR stands for Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath, four inner city suburbs born out of the industrial revolution).[26] The former STAR Centre leisure facility is located in Splott (although this was closed when the new STAR Hub was opened and the former STAR Centre was then utilized by the NHS). Splott Pool was also closed and demolished to make way for the new STAR Hub, that opened in September 2016.
The area is served by Splott Library (within the new hub) and Roath Library. The latter was re-located to the Cardiff Royal Infirmary after the previous branch library building on Newport Road was closed due to prohibitive renovation costs. In January 2017, plans were announced for a new permanent library and cafe in the former hospital chapel.[27] In 2018, a deal was made for the previous library building to be taken over by a local dance organization.
| Riverside | City centre | Adamsdown |
| Grangetown | Butetown | Splott |
| Cardiff Bay | Tremorfa |
See also
[edit]- For details of Splott Aerodrome, see RAF Pengam Moors
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Splott Parish Local Area Report". Nomis. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. ISBN 9781440507397.
- ^ "Splott Parish Local Area Report". National Statistics. 2001. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Matthews, John Hobson (1900). Cardiff Records, being Materials for a History of the County Borough from the Earliest Times (Vol 2). Archived from the original on 22 May 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "St. Alban's Parish Cardiff". 2006. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "History of St. Alban on the Moors 1880-2020". Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Newman, John (1995). The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan. Penguin Books. p. 311. ISBN 0-14-071056-6.
- ^ Lambert, Tim. "A Brief History of Cardiff, Wales". Local and National Histories. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Bridgend Street – The Willows, Cardiff". The Welsh Football League. Archived from the original on 10 September 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "The City and County of Cardiff (Communities) Order 2016 No. 1155 (W. 277)" (PDF). Welsh Statutory Instruments. 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Cardiff church collapses: Man dies after Splott incident". BBC. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Blake, Aled (18 July 2017). "Collapsed church building in Cardiff: Everything we know so far". Wales Online. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Evans, Dafydd H. (1981). The Life and Work of Dafydd Benwyn (Ph.D.). Oxford University.
- ^ Davies, G. Sorton (1929). These Forty Years: A History of Ainon Baptist Church, Splott, Cardiff, 1889-1929. Cardiff.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b Jenkins, J. Austin; James, R. Edwards (1901). The History of Nonconformity in Cardiff. London: H. R. Allenson. p. 92. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "2011 Census results by Community". Welsh Language Commissioner. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Ysgol Glan Morfa". Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "John Humphrys | Tenacious journalist and broadcaster". BBC – South East Wales. June 2005. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2006.
- ^ "Dame Shirley Bassey | First lady of song - big voice from Tiger Bay". BBC - South East Wales. June 2005. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Wales Rugby League (2004). "Clive Sullivan [1961–1984]". Wales Rugby League: Welsh Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Lynn Bowles: 'Totty from Splotty' just 'silliness'". BBC News. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Bolter, Abby (12 December 2009). "City honour for Sir Terry Wogan, 'Lord of Splott'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Willetts, Thomas (6 November 2018). "Council 'chooses profit over people' in Splott – petition". The Cardiffian. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Railway Street: A creative, community green hub in Splott, Cardiff". Green City Events. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Liddle, Hannah (16 January 2019). "Gaining Ground: A Shared Vision for a Community Green Hub in Splott". InterCardiff. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Savage, Jennie. "STAR radio". Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Duncan, Cathy (24 January 2017). "New library for Adamsdown and Roath to open at Cardiff Royal Infirmary site". The Cardiffian. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
External links
[edit]Splott
View on GrokipediaGeography and Location
Boundaries and Topography
Splott occupies a position in southeastern Cardiff, immediately east of the city centre and adjacent to the neighboring suburb of Tremorfa, encompassing land that was historically part of open moorland extending eastward toward the River Rhymney.[2] The district's southern extent approaches the Severn Estuary, with proximity to former industrial sites like the East Moors steelworks influencing its layout.[2] The topography of Splott is predominantly flat and low-lying, characteristic of Cardiff's coastal plain, with average elevations around 10 metres above sea level.[6] Elevations range from near sea level (0 metres) to a maximum of 32 metres, reflecting minimal relief and historical suitability for moorland farming rather than steep terrain.[6] This level terrain, originally used for arable and cattle rearing, facilitated later urban and industrial development but also exposed the area to tidal flooding in adjacent lowlands.[2]Relation to Cardiff
Splott constitutes an electoral ward and community within the unitary authority of the City and County of Cardiff, as recognized in official council documents including population estimates and census data. [7] Administratively, it falls under Cardiff's governance structure, with local councillors elected to represent the ward in council decisions on services such as transport, planning, and deprivation indices.[8] Geographically, Splott occupies an inner-city position in southeastern Cardiff, situated immediately east of the city centre and south of the Roath district.[1] Its approximate boundaries include the River Rhymney to the east, railway lines to the north and west (such as the Splott branch and South Wales mainline), and urban continuity with adjacent wards like Adamsdown and Tremorfa.[9] This positioning places Splott within Cardiff's continuous urban fabric, roughly 1 mile from the city centre, facilitating pedestrian and vehicular access via key routes like Newport Road (A4160).[10] As part of Cardiff's metropolitan area, Splott benefits from the city's infrastructure, including proximity to Queen Street railway station (about 1 mile northwest) and integration into broader active travel networks proposed by the council. The district's development as a residential suburb historically tied to Cardiff's industrial expansion underscores its role in the city's eastward growth from the 19th century onward.[11]History
Pre-Industrial Origins
Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, the area now known as Splott consisted of rural moorland utilized for arable farming and cattle rearing, forming part of the open landscapes surrounding early Cardiff.[2] The name "Splott" most plausibly originates from the Old English word splot, denoting a plot or parcel of land, a term attested as a field name in other Welsh locales; alternative folk etymologies, such as a truncation of "God's Plot" referencing ecclesiastical ownership or derivation from the Welsh ysblad (barren expanse), lack stronger linguistic evidence.[12][13] From early medieval times, Splott functioned as a detached portion of the manor of Llandaff, encompassing approximately 34 acres of arable and pasture land under the stewardship of the Bishop of Llandaff.[14] English settlers reclaimed coastal salt marshes in the area during the 13th century by constructing a seawall, transforming the low-lying terrain into viable farmland that sustained agricultural use through the subsequent centuries.[3] This agrarian character persisted as the primary land use until the mid-19th century, when proximity to emerging industrial sites began to encroach on the manorial fields.[2][14]Industrial Expansion (19th Century)
During the mid-19th century, Splott began transforming from coastal marshland and farmland amid Cardiff's rapid growth driven by south Wales' coal and iron boom.[12] The area's flat terrain and proximity to emerging railways and Bute Docks positioned it for industrial utilization, with initial street development occurring on former fields to support the expanding port economy.[12] Splott was incorporated into Cardiff's boundaries in 1875, enabling coordinated urban expansion.[2] By 1880, industrial encroachment accelerated, including early factories and worker housing that supplanted agricultural use across the former Splott manor's 34 acres.[14] The pivotal development was the East Moors Steelworks, established by the Dowlais Iron Company of Merthyr Tydfil to capitalize on dock access for exporting steel products.[15] Opened on 4 February 1891 by the Marquess of Bute, the facility commenced production in stages through 1895, employing thousands and necessitating large-scale residential construction.[16][17] To accommodate steelworks laborers, Victorian terraced houses were built primarily from 1875 onward, concentrating along streets like Splott Road, Portmanmoor Road, and Habershon Street.[3][2] This housing boom reflected Splott's role in processing raw materials from inland mines via rail and docks, fostering ancillary industries such as rope-making alongside steel production.[12] The district's integration into Cardiff's iron and steel sector solidified its identity as a working-class enclave tied to maritime and heavy industry.[2]20th Century Developments and Decline
In the early 20th century, Splott experienced continued residential and industrial expansion tied to Cardiff's steel sector, with the East Moors Steelworks in adjacent Tremorfa reaching peak production capacity after a £3 million investment by GKN in 1935, enabling output of 500,000 tons annually by the 1930s.[2][18] This supported worker housing developments along streets such as Splott Road, Habershon Street, and Portmanmoor Road, reinforcing Splott's identity as a working-class suburb proximate to docks and factories.[2] Post-World War II, local authorities initiated a major housing program in the 1940s, utilizing land from Pengam Farm for new estates amid broader efforts to address wartime damage and overcrowding.[2] Mid-century industrial activity included the Rover Car Company factory in Tremorfa from 1963, operating for approximately two decades and providing additional employment.[2] However, the 1970s marked the onset of significant decline, exemplified by Cardiff Council's slum clearance program, which demolished 17 streets in Lower Splott—a once-bustling docklands-adjacent community—to eliminate substandard housing, displacing tight-knit residents and erasing local shops and social ties.[19] The pivotal event was the 1978 closure of East Moors Steelworks, which eliminated around 3,000 jobs due to outdated equipment and competition from cheaper overseas steel imports, accelerating de-industrialization and contributing to persistent economic hardship in Splott.[13][2][18] By the late 20th century, these closures led to vanished streets repurposed as parkland and a shift toward residential estates on former industrial sites, though commercial areas like Carlisle Street shops saw sharp trade drops from the mid-1990s onward due to changing consumer patterns.[13] Unemployment and deprivation intensified, with unfulfilled expectations from nearby Cardiff Bay regeneration failing to offset the loss of heavy industry, cementing Splott's reputation as a tough, overlooked district amid broader Welsh economic restructuring.[13][2]Post-2000 Regeneration Efforts
Following the industrial decline of the late 20th century, Splott has seen targeted regeneration through Cardiff Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme (NRS), launched in 2000 to address local priorities via environmental improvements, community facilities, and public realm enhancements, with projects proposed by ward councillors and informed by resident consultations.[20] By 2025, the NRS had funded 127 city-wide initiatives, including multiple in Splott focused on green spaces and play areas to combat deprivation and foster community cohesion.[21] A prominent NRS project involved the redevelopment of Splott Park's playground, completed in July 2025 after community-led consultations in 2024; it features inclusive equipment for toddlers, juniors, and teens—such as climbing structures, slides, and puzzle-themed elements like giant dice—alongside natural play zones and tributes to Cardiff's steam heritage, funded partly by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.[22] [23] This 14-week upgrade, starting January 2025, exemplifies incremental efforts to enhance recreational amenities in response to local petitions for investment in aging green spaces.[24] Housing and community infrastructure have also advanced, with the Moorland Road Community Centre redevelopment securing planning approval in February 2023; it replaces the existing facility with a ground-floor community hub (including a hall, kitchen, and medical room) and 13 independent-living flats for over-55s above, designed car-free with communal gardens to integrate into Splott's dense Victorian terraced landscape.[25] Construction, overseen by Cardiff Council's Housing Development Team, emphasizes sustainability and won a 2023 Housing Design Award for community living excellence.[26] Educational facilities received a £7 million upgrade at Moorland Primary School, officially opened in October 2024, providing modern classrooms and spaces to support local families amid population pressures.[27] Broader housing regeneration includes sites under the Cardiff and Vale Housing Partnership's 2025 plan for 2,500 new homes across the region, with Splott allocations targeting affordable units to rejuvenate aging stock without large-scale demolition, contrasting with more disruptive docklands projects elsewhere in Cardiff.[28] These efforts prioritize brownfield reuse and community input, yielding modest but verifiable improvements in livability, though critics note they address symptoms of earlier deindustrialization rather than transformative economic revival.[29]Demographics
Population Trends and Statistics
The population of Splott ward has exhibited steady growth over the past two decades, reflecting broader urbanization trends in Cardiff while outpacing the city average in recent censuses. According to United Kingdom Census data, the ward's population stood at 12,076 in 2001, increasing to 13,261 by 2011—a rise of approximately 9.8% over the decade. This expansion continued into the 2020s, reaching 14,143 residents in the 2021 Census, representing a 6.6% increase from 2011 and an average annual growth rate of 0.65%.[30][31]| Census Year | Population | Decade Change (%) | Annual Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 12,076 | - | - |
| 2011 | 13,261 | 9.8 | 0.93 |
| 2021 | 14,143 | 6.6 (from 2011) | 0.65 |
