Manorbier

Manorbier Castle was the birthplace of Giraldus Cambrensis, an eminent churchman and historian whose Itinerary through Wales provides a colourful description of 12th century Wales. The sheltered sandy cove, once used by smugglers, is now popular with summer visitors and surfers. Across the valley from the castle is the parish church, parts of which date from the 12th century.

It contains an effigy of a knight in armour, thought to be one of the de Barri family who built the castle. An artillery school was established the east of the village in the 1930s, part of which is still operational.

The base is all that survives of the former Dome Trainer, a concrete dome which provided artificial conditions for the training of anti-aircraft gunners.

Wind Hill (SS 076980): A narrow strip field was home to a WWII searchlight battery, the complex comprising 13 huts, a searchlight cluster and three weapons pits. Few traces now remain.

Further reading:

The Military Airfields of Wales and West Midlands by Ken Delve;

Airfields and Landing Grounds of Wales (West) by Ivor Jones;

The Girls Behind the Guns by D Brewer Kerr;

Royal Artillery Journal Volume XCVIII (1971).

3.7" MARK I c1938, gun being test fired at Manorbier