Pembrokeshire's coastal scenery makes it a popular area of Wales. Walkers flock to the 180 mile (290 km) long Pembrokeshire National Park Coast Path. It traverses a variety of terrain-dramatic clifftops, isolated sandy beaches, spectacular seascapes and wide-open views. The entire route includes 35,000 feet (10668 metres) of ascent and descent, quite a challenge for even the most experienced walkers. Castle ruins and ancient burial sites offer fascinating historical architecture. Small villages and seaside towns dot the dramatic landscape. Many of the sheltered bays and inlets were once home to pirates, smugglers and ship wreckers. The offshore island of Skomer, a national nature reserve, offers sanctuary for birds. The Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, outside the village of Cilgerran, is a 265 acre (107ha) wildlife habitat There is a Visitor Centre with information panels. Trails lead to a spectacular gorge, water meadows, woodlands and the banks of the River Teifi. Over 130 species of birds, including the red kite, and over 20 mammals-otters, badgers, deer, water vole,water buffalo and others-call this area home. Perched on the cliffside down a flight of stairs near one favourite pirate landing spot is a 6th century hermit's chapel, St Govan's. No one knows for sure why he came from Ireland to Pembrokeshire to preach and worship. The Church celebrated his life by marking March 26th as St. Govan's Day. The chapel was built by his followers. The Preseli Hills section of the National Park provides far reaching views across to the sea. This area of high bleak hills was once the home of the ancient Celts. Today it is dotted with isolated farms and grazing sheep. One of the most spectacular megalithic monuments in the UK, Pentre Ifan, dominates a hilltop. Tenby, popular since Victorian times, is a busy seaside resort with large sandy beaches and medieval walls. Here you can visit the 15th century Tudor Merchant's House, run by the National Trust. The house belonged to a middle class merchant. He would not only have lived in it with his family and servants but also conducted business from ground floor rooms. The town's museum, sited on Castle Hill by the beach, tells the history of the area. Tenby’s 15th century St Mary's Parish Church is reputed to be the largest medieval church in Wales. It began as a rebuilding of an earlier church from the 13th century. There are several elaborate tombs and memorials inside. The plain tower is located on one side of the chancel. From Tenby take a boat to Caldey Island, home to monks for over a thousand years. Although the Benedictine monastery is closed to visitors, you can walk around the island and view a film on the abbey and visit the Parish Church of St David's. The ruins of an old church lie on the road to the lighthouse. There's a large "village" green with an assortment of touristy shops. The beach is safe for swimming. 13th century Carew Castle, set beside the tidal flats near Milford Haven, has extensive and scenic ruins. The remains of the castle include three towers, a chapel, a gatehouse, a north range, and Tudor windows. The castle was the site of the last medieval tournament in Wales. In the grounds is Carew Cross, (used as the symbol of Cadw) that commemorates Maredydd, an 11th century ruler of the Kingdom of Deheubarth in southwest Wales. The 13 ft (4 metre) high cross is considered one of the three finest in Wales. The 17th century Carew tidal mill, the only intact one in Wales, is one of only four in Britain. It is set within view of the castle. Water spills over a causeway at high tide, then gates would be opened to let the water out, turning the 16ft. (4.87 metres) wheel. Inside the mill is an interesting display and a recorded commentary explaining how the machinery worked. The mill ceased operation in 1937. The rugged ruins of 13th century Cilgerran Castle stand on a high crag. There are fragments of an outer bailey, a curtain wall, a cross-wall, two round towers, a gate tower, and east and west towers. The castle was made famous as the subject of a painting by J.M. Turner. The busy town of Pembroke is home to a large castle, medieval town walls, and the Museum of the Home, a privately run museum across from the castle. Over 3000 fascinating historical items are on display, including medieval lovespoons. The castle was built by Roger de Montgomery in 1093 and rebuilt by the Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal, in 1189-1219. Its large stone keep dominates the skyline. There are interesting displays on the history of the castle and the times in some of the rooms. After the town's surrender to Oliver Cromwell, the townspeople plundered the castle's stones to rebuild their own houses. The lively hillside town of St. David's is famous for its St. David's Cathedral, considered Wales finest church. Next to the cathedral is the ruined Bishop's Palace built between 1328-47. It has an arcaded parapet and great hall porch with decorated corbels. Fishguard was the scene of the last French invasion of British soil. On February 22, 1797, a small group of convicts landed nearby, proposing to conquer England. Legend states that they surrendered to a group of Welsh women dressed in black hats and red cloaks. A tapestry, completed in 1997, on display at St Mary's Church, tells the story. The Scolton House, north of Haverfordwest, is an 1842 manor house of a country squire. There are 11 period rooms furnished in the period. A woodland centre, children’s play area, picnic area and a museum with artifacts relating to Pembrokeshire country life make for an interesting visit. Follow a twisty, narrow country road to Strumble Head lighthouse on a rocky coastline. The 1908 lighthouse, situated at a site of special scientific interest, is on an islet connected to the mainland by a footbridge. It provides unrivaled views over the water and dramatic coastline. The Stackpole Estate, owned by the National Trust and managed with the help of the Countryside Council for Wales, lies five miles south of Pembroke in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Much of the area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one quarter is a National Nature Reserve. There is much of interest to see, and many walks on offer. Pembrokeshire Attractions For opening times and full details of attractions see the Attractions section of our website. Benton Castle Llangwm, on minor road from A4076 South of Haverfordwest Bishop’s Palace Next to St David’s Cathedral In the town of St David’s, (A487) Tel. 0 1437 720 517 Caldey Island Priory Caldey Island Reached by boat from the beach of the town of Tenby on the A478 For photos and more details see our article Caldey Island Camrose Motte Camrose, on the B4330 Careg Samson Neolithic Burial Chamber Near Fishguard, off the A487 Carew Castle Carew, on banks of river Carew, off A4075 Tel. 0646 651 782 For photos and more details see our article Carew Castle, Mill and Cross Carew Tidal Mill At Carew Castle, Carew; on the A4075 For photos and more details see our article Carew Castle, Mill, and Cross Carn Ingli Newport Carreg Coetan Arthur Burial Chamber Off A487, on outskirts of Newport (3 miles west) behind housing development Carswell Medieval House 1.5 miles east of St Florence Off the B4318, 3 miles west of Tenby Castell Henllys Iron Age Settlement Off the A487 near Newport Tel/fax. 0 1239 891 319 Cerig Y Gof Bronze Age Burial Chamber Just off A487 between Fishguard and Newport village Cilgerran Castle Minor road from village of Cilgerran; off the A478 Te. 0 1239 621 339 Colby Woodland Garden Colby Lodge, Amroth, Narbeth Follow brown signs from A477 Tenby to Carmarthen Road Tel. 0 1834 811 885 Dingle Gardens, The Crundale, on the B4329 Three miles north-east of Haverfordwest which is on the A4076 Tel. 0437 764 370 Dyffryn Syfynwy (Henry's Moat) Cairn From B4413 to Rosebush, then Tufton, Pembrokeshire; car park beside reservoir, then a track; best to get local directions Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo Begelly, Kilgetty, near Tenby, SA68 0XA Detailed instructions on website; brown signposts Tel. 0 1834 812 731 Web: Folly Farm Garn Turne Neolithic Burial Chamber East of Wolf’s Castle on the A40 Gors Fawr Standing Stones and Circle Near minor road from A478 north of Efailwen Haverfordwest Castle Haverfordwest, on the A40/A4076 On 80ft high hilltop above River Cleddau in centre of town Haverfordwest Priory Haverfordwest, on the A40/A4076 Hean Castle Gardens One mile north of Saundersfoot; on the B4316 King’s Quoit Manorbier, off B4585 above the bay Lamphey Bishop’s Palace Lamphey, from the A4139, Pembroke Tel. 0 1646 672 224 Laugharne Castle and Gardens Laugharne; on the Taf River estuary Access from A4066 St Clears Tel. 0 1554 890 104 Llawhaden Castle Llawhaden Minor road from Canaston Bridge off A4075 Manorbier Castle Overlooking Manorbier Bay, at Manorbier On the B4585, west of Tenby Tel. 0 1834 871 394 Manorowen Walled Garden On A487, one mile south of Goodwick Tel. 0 1348 872 168 Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry Dre-fach Felindre, Llandysul; off the A484 Tel. 0559 370 929 Narbeth Castle Narbeth Nevern Castle Nevern, off the A487 Newport Castle Newport, on the A487 Oriel y Parc Landscape Gallery Caerfai Road, St Davids Tel. 0 1437 720 392 Web: Oriel y Parc Landscape Gallery Parc Y Meirw Bronze Age Stone Row Near A487 Fishguard to Newport road west of the Preseli Hills Pembroke Castle Pembroke, on the A4139 Tel. 0 1646 681 510 For photos and more details see our article Pembroke Castle Web: Pembroke Castle Pembrokeshire National Park For photos and more details see our article Pembrokeshire National Park Penlan-uchaf Farm Garden Gwaun Valley, near Fishguard; on the A487 Tel. 0348 881 388 Pentre Ifan prehistoric burial place Minor roads from B4329 at Crosswell Then walk from roadside parking Picton Castle and Gardens Near Haverfordwest, on the A40 Tel. 0 1437 751 326 Pill Priory Lower Priory Rd, 1 km north of Milford Haven (see map on website) Tel. NA Web: Pill Priory Scolton Country Park, House, and Museum On B4329, at Scolton, north of Haverfordwest Tel. 0 1437 731 457 For photos and more details see our article Scolton House and Country Park Skokholm Island Nature Reserve Skokholm Island St Brynach Church Nevern, on the B4582 St David Church (Caldey Island) Caldey Island, reached by boat from Tenby St David’s Bishops Palace St David’s town, beside the cathedral of the same name Tel. 0 1437 720517 St David’s Cathedral The Close, St David’s, on the A487 Tel. 0 1437 720 199/720 204 Web: St David’s Cathedral St Elidyr Church Amroth, on minor road off the A477 St Govan’s Chapel Perched down a cliffside, reached by steep flight of stairs; On Pembrokeshire coast near Bosherton and St David's For photos and more details see our article St Govan Chapel St Illtud Church Caldey Island; reached by boat from Tenby, on A478 St James and St Elidyr Church Stackpole, on minor road off the B4319 near Pembroke St Jeffrey and St Oswald Church Jeffreyston off the B4586, north of Tenby St John the Baptist Church Carew, on the A4075 St Mary Church High St, Haverfordwest, on the A40/4076 St Mary Church Tenby, on the A478 St Michael and All Angels Bosherston, on minor road off the B4319 South of Pembroke St Michael's Church Rudbaston, off the A40 On minor roads 4 miles north of Haverfordwest St Non’s Chapel Minor road off A487, south of St David’s St Petrox On the B4319, south of Pembroke St Twynnell St Twynnell, on minor road off the B4319 South of Pembroke Stackpole Estate Old Home Farm, Stackpole B4319 near Sampson Cross, Bosherton Tel. 0 1646 661 359 For photos and more details see our article Stackpole Stepaside Victorian School Museum Kilgetty Lane, Stepaside, Narberth; on the A478 Tel. 0 1834 811 310 Tenby Castle Tenby, on the A478/B4585, on a rocky headland Tenby Museum & Art Gallery Castle Hill, Tenby, on the A487 Tel. 0 1834 842 809 Web: Tenby Museum & Art Gallery Troed y Rhiw standing stones Off the B4329 near Tafarn-y-bwich Take path by a phone box Tudor Merchant’s House Quay Hill, Tenby Tel. 0 1834 842 279 For photos and more details see our article Tudor Merchant House Upton Castle Gardens Cosheston, near Pembroke, north of the A447 Near the Carew River Tel. 0 1656 651 782 Waun Maun Prehistoric Stones Off the B4329 near Tafarn-y-bwich Wiston Castle Minor roads off A40, east of Haverfordwest Photos courtesy Geograph Britain and Ireland are as follows: Photo of Welsh Wildlife Centre by ceridwen; Stackpole estate by Duncan Gammon; Skomer puffin by Gareth James; Tenby church by Chris Downer. Photos of St Govan’s chapel and Pembroke Castle courtesy Visit Wales Other photos by Barbara Ballard
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