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HIDDEN
TREASURES
ST DAVID’S PENINSULA
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The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi |
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The
Blue Lagoon (Pwll Du)
Abereiddi on Pembrokeshire’s north coast
once had a large slate quarry. In 1904 the quarry
closed
and a channel was blasted out, linking the quarry
to the sea and thereby creating a safe harbour.
Now a spectacular pool, its deep waters are often
used
by divers. Nearby is a row of ruined cottages said
to have been demolished by a tidal wave in the
1920s. You can also see the remains of the old
tramway which
once took slate from the quarry to the nearby port
of Porthgain.
St Non’s Chapel
Close to St David’s are the ruins of St Non’s
Chapel, dating back to the early fourteenth century.
St Non was the mother of St David and this site is
claimed to be where he was born. Nearby is St Non's
Well, enclosed with a stone roof cover. Its waters
are said to have sprung forth during the time of
St David’s birth and it is considered today
to have healing properties, especially for those
suffering from rheumatism.
Flemish chimneys
The farm
of Rhosson, near St Justinian is worth looking
at on the way to
the boats that
take you to or around Ramsey. It is an example
of a style of building that once was to be
found all
over Pembrokeshire. The large round stone
chimney that characterise the house is what is known
as a Flemish chimney and is possibly a hangover
from
the days of Norman castle builders. There
are
several other examples Pembrokeshire: a particularly
good
one in the Gwaun valley, one at Templeton
Farm in Templeton and one opposite the Sun Inn in
St Florence.
The chimneys were usually made of local limestone,
and built into the front wall of the cottage
close to the door. They are tall and conical,
with a
large round stack – sometimes big enough
to fit a chair and table inside. Many chimneys
remained long
after the original building had been demolished.
This chimney in St Florence was once part
of a tiny cottage, and the line of the gable
end
of
the original
building can still be seen above the fireplace.
< Back
Also in this
section:
-
History and Legends
- In and Around the
Preseli Hills
- Pembrokeshire's Secret Waterway
- Narberth and the Landsker Borderlands
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