Newtown is the largest town in the county of
Powys,
Wales. It had a population of 12,783 in 2001, falling to 11,357 at the 2011 census. Lying on the
River Severn, within the
historic boundaries of
Montgomeryshire, the town is best known as the birthplace of
Robert Owen in 1771 His former house stood on what is now the site of the HSBC Bank. The Robert Owen Museum is across the road, occupying the ground floor of the council offices. Newtown is also the home of Theatr Hafren and of Oriel Davies, a major public gallery, which displays national and international contemporary art and craft.