|
ST DAVIDS
PENINSULA
The
western edge of Wales is known as the birthplace
of the patron saint of Wales - Saint David. He
first established his monastery on the banks of
the river Alun in the sixth century and it was
on this site that St David’s Cathedral was
built. Beneath St David’s Peninsula lie some
of the oldest rocks in Britain, dating back to
the Pre-Cambrian period, around 600 million years
ago. People have lived here for at least 6,000
years. The peninsula is dotted with Neolithic tombs,
Bronze Age standing stones and Iron Age forts.
Abereiddi
Abereiddi was once a thriving community based
around the slate quarry. A tramway linked
the quarry with nearby Porthgain from where
the slate would be loaded aboard boats for
export. However, the industry fell into decline
and in the last century a channel to the
sea was created allowing water to flood the
quarry which is now known as the Blue Lagoon
(Pwll Du) and is a popular spot for diving.
The remains of some of the workers’ cottages
can still be seen.
Porthgain
Porthgain is an industrial archaeological treasure
trove. The harbour was used for exporting
road stone, slate and bricks. Slate came
from nearby quarries such as Abereiddi and,
from 1878, bricks were made in the large
building in the centre of the harbour called
Ty Mawr. The extremely hard local granite
was also crushed and became a major export
primarily being used in road building. The
huge stone hoppers you can still see today
are where the crushed stone would be poured
ready to load on ship. You can also see the
pretty little row of quarryman’s cottages.
Porthgain is blessed too with an excellent
restaurant and the well known Sloop Inn that
dates back to 1743.
Newgale
A glorious
two miles of sand backed by a shingle bank that
was formed in a storm in 1859, Newgale is a sunbather’s
and surfer’s delight. There is a sunken
forest under the sands which is exposed at very
low tides and after storms.
Solva
In its heyday, Solve had a direct passenger service to New York and a thriving
import and export business based on this fine natural harbour. Now it is
a mass of sails with dozens of yachts moored in its sheltered waters, indeed
it is one of the prettiest coastal villages imaginable. There is a wide selection
of shops, pubs and restaurants and much more to enjoy.
St
David’s
St David’s is Britain’s smallest city
and dedicated to Wales’ patron saint. The
first monastery was built here in the 6th century
although the present cathedral dates from Norman
times. Built in a hollow to conceal it from Viking
raiders, the cathedral is a majestic building set
in a magnificent setting. Such was the importance
of St David that it was decreed in the Middle Ages
that two pilgrimages to St David’s equalled
one to Rome! The nearby Bishop’s Palace was
destroyed during the 16th century. However, much
remains to allow you to appreciate the scale and
elegant distinction of this impressive residence.
The city itself has a great deal to attract the
visitor too. St David’s has music festivals,
galleries, potteries and workshops together with
numerous shops selling all manner of local wares.
St Non’s
Chapel
Legend says St David was born here above a rocky
bay, south of the city. The ruined chapel here
is dedicated to David's mother, St Non, and lies
within a Bronze Age stone circle sacred for 4,000
years. Nearby is a holy well said to have appeared
as a spring at the place where St Non gave birth
to David during a violent thunderstorm.
< Back
Also in this
section:
-
Hidden Treasures -
Areas to Discover
- In and Around the
Preseli Hills
- Narberth and the Landsker Borderlands
- Pembrokeshire's
Secret Waterway
|
