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Splott (Welsh: Y Sblot) is a district in the south of the city of Cardiff. 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. Fanciful suggestions for the origin of the name include 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. In fact, the name is based on the English noun "splot" ("a plot of land") which is also found in placenames in the Vale of Glamorgan, Gower and Pembrokeshire.
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.
Splott is a traditional part of the City of Cardiff. Its name refers to the Welsh word for allotments which was the use of the area prior to its conversion to housing. 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. 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 Bawdrippe 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. Splott park opened in 1901.
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 around 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 the most successful British baseball teams, winning the Welsh League title several times.
