Preseli Circle Walk
The walk begins at Fishguard, then heads inland to the timelessness of the Gwaun Valley. On from the Gwaun Valley, the mystery of the Preseli Hills unfolds, where the memories of ancient peoples are almost tangible and prehistoric sites abound.
The area is shrouded in mysticism, with strong links to King Arthur and the Mabinogion. The Bluestone quarry is awe inspiring, provoking thoughts and questions about man's very existence. The trail then follows the redundant Cardi Bach railway tracks to Cilgerran along the Teifi Gorge, with its coracle fishing, and on to the estuary at Cardigan.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path marks the return trek westwards with the spectacular cliffs of Cemaes Head and on to the cosy refreshment hives of Newport. The final stretch from Dinas Island to Fishguard completes a journey truly worth making.
* Copies of Ordnance Survey Explorer OL35, 185 and 198 maps are recommended.
* All times and distances are approximate.
Wildlife
Springtime flora of snowdrops, primroses, dog violets and purple orchids blossom, followed in late summer by red campion and sea
campion on the cliffs.
Woodland plants include wood sorrel, wood anemone, wild garlic and bluebell, upland plants include fir club moss, liverwort, sundews and orchids with a late summer carpet of heather and gorse.
Gwaun Valley
Goodwick to Tregynon (10.5 miles / 17km, 5 hrs)
During the ice age melting ice water carved out the steep sided Gwaun valley which has helped to preserve its distinctive communities. The Julian calendar remained after the Gregorian calendar was introduced and local people still celebrate New Year 'Hen Galan' on 13th January. The medieval ball game cnapan described in George Owen's book 'Description of Pembrokeshire' 1603, was played in this part of North Pembrokeshire.
- Distance is 10.50miles/16.90km
- Height is Ascents 230m, descents 45m
- 18 stiles, 6 gates, 1 footbridge
- Refreshments
- Accommodation
- Car parking
- Bus
- Preseli Green Dragon
Marine Walk
A number of WW2 searchlight batteries were located along the coast here.Fishguard Town
Behind the town's primary school and Catholic school can be seen four examples of WW2 fifty-person air-raid shelters.Maesgwynne Farm
This farm on the outskirts of Fishguard was the site of a large Royal Marines camp during WW2.Royal Oak, Fishguard Square
A room at this inn was used as the headquarters of the defence force rapidly put together to meet the threat of the French Invasion of 1797.Fishguard Fort
Fishguard Fort occupies a natural defensive site on a promontory overlooking Lower Town Harbour. It was built in about 1780 in response to the threat posed by privateer raiders and in particular the activities of Paul Jones and Stephen Manhant.Llanychaer pill-box
SM 990 351Carn Enoch ring barrow
This possible Bronze Age ring barrow is located on the western slopes of Carn Enoch.Mynydd Melyn hut
The remains of what was once an extensive system of huts and enclosures.The Preseli Hills
Preseli Hills
On a clear day, the Preseli views stretch to the Black Mountains, Snowdonia and the Wicklow Hills of Ireland. 'Everywhere you feel the presence of the magalithic tomb-builders, of the Iron Age warriors who piled the stones of the great hill forts and of kindly and absentminded old Celtic Saints' - wrote Wynford Vaughan Thomas.
- Distance is 11.00miles/17.70km
- Height is Ascents 455m, descents 410m
- 9 stiles, 7 gates, 2footbridges
Cerrig Lladron standing stone pair
This pairing of stones, one large the other considerably smaller, was located 230 metres north of the summit of Foel Eryr during the Bronze Age and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.Tafarn-y-bwlch standing stone
This stone, over 1.5 metres high, stands at the edge of the main road crossing the Preselis, just south-west of Tafarn-y-bwlch.Tafarn-y-bwlch standing stone pair
A Scheduled Ancient Monument comprising pair of large Bronze Age standing stones both over a metre tall.Waun Mawn standing stone
A fine Bronze Age standing stone some 2 metres high and tapering to a rough point at the top.Abandoned farm
Tafarn-y-Bwlch in the Preseli HillsSilent Light
Inspired by Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire; mixed media on canvasCarn Goedog standing stone
This is a small standing stone on the lower slopes of Carn Goedog that was probably placed here during the Bronze Age.Carn Arthur
Standing stones at Carn Arthur in the Preseli HillsCarnalw defended enclosure
The rocky outcrop of Carnalw forms the eastern side of the defence and overlooks the interior of this Iron Age enclosure on the northern slopes of the Preselis.Carn Menyn
Carn Menyn, Preseli HillsRiver of stones
at Carn MenynHeather View
Acrylic on boardCrug-yr-Hwch
This area was extensively used as a tank range during World War Two.The Cardi Bach
The Cardi Bach Railway
Originally built from Whitland in 1870 for Glogue slate quarries and Llanfyrnach silver lead mines, the Cardi Bach Railway reached Crymych in 1874, and extended to Cardigan in 1886.
During the World Wars, military trains carried troops to Crymych railway station for the Preseli Training Camps. The line closed in 1963 and was completely dismantled, though the route is still visible in many places.
- Height is Ascents 230m, descents 440m
- 36 stiles, 35 gates, 3 footbridges
The Teifi Estuary
Cilgerran Castle, high above the Teifi Gorge was rebuilt after a troubled period of capture and recapture from Welsh hands. St Llawddog churchyard has a 6th century stone with Latin and Ogham inscriptions. Cilgerran was an important wool centre and exporter of Teifi slate and coracles were used here for salmon fishing.
The Wildlife Centre near Cilgerran is a popular nature reserve and and study centre owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.
- Distance is 6.00miles/9.66km
- Height is Ascents 145m, descents 145m
- 4 stiles, 2 gates, 5 footbridges
- Shop
- Refreshments
- Accommodation
- Car parking
- Street parking
- Bus 430
Mills
In 1537 there were two unoccupied mills which had belonged to the Abbey. One was re-built and was referred to as a 'new water corn grist mill' in 1619. It is believed that part of this is incorporated in today's mill, Y Felin.Melinau
Ym 1537 yr oedd dwy felin wag a oedd yn eiddo i'r Abaty. Ailadeiladwyd un, a gwelir cyfeirio at 'felin ddŵr ŷd mâl' newydd ym 1619. Credir fod rhan ohoni yn y felin bresennol yn Llandudoch.Yr Abaty
Yr oedd gan yr eglwys gyn-Normanaidd statws 'clas' - roedd yn sefydliad mynachaidd ac yn fam eglwys. Yr oedd ganddi hawliau noddfa. Efallai fod y ddwy groes o Bryngwyn, sy'n cael eu harddangos bellach yng Nghaerdydd, yn nodi ffiniau'r noddfa.The Abbey
The pre-Norman church was a “clas” - a monastic establishment and a mother church. It had rights of sanctuary (noddfa). Possibly the two crosses from Bryngwyn, which are now on display in Cardiff, marked the boundary of the sanctuary.The Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Poppit Sands to Newport
Poppit Sands is located at the mouth of the River Teifi and the dunes provide an important wildlife habitat, especialy for the bee-orchid.Cemaes Head
Cliffs at Cemaes
(no refreshment stops until reaching Newport)
The spectacular cliffs rise 175m. Thin layers of sandstone and shale alternate with mudstone, later compressed to form the visible folds in the cliffs between Cemaes Head and Ceibwr Bay.
Witches Cauldron is a blowhole, a collapsed cave roof with a narrow passage connecting it to the sea. Bottle-nosed dolphins and porpoise may be seen offshore.
Moylgrove (Trewyddel)
The settlement was originally names 'Grava Matildas' - Matilda's Grave. Matilda was the wife of Robert Fitzmartin, the Norman invader of Cemaes.
Nevern
Nevern Castle was built by Norman conqueror Robert Fitzmartin, but was seized by Prince Rhys ap Gruffydd in 1191. Inside St Brynach's Church are the Latin Vitalianus and Ogham Maglocunus inscribed stones. Nevern Cross, 10th century or early 11th century, is almost 14ft high and of local dolerite stone. The famo
Coast Path Safety Code
Take care on the Coast Path - it runs through rugged, natural terrain. Please follow the Coast Path Safety Code:
* Keep to the path, away from cliff edges and overhangs.
* Always supervise children, especially near cliff edges.
* Walking surfaces can vary considerably with the weather. Always wear strong footwear with a good grip.
* Wear or carry warm and waterproof clothing.
* Clifftop walking can be dangerous in high winds.
* Beware of taking shortcuts across beaches - you may be cut off by the tide. Swimming can also be dangerous.
* Do not sit under cliffs or climb them.
* Keep dogs under close control.
Remember - the Coast Path is for walkers. Most of its length is not suitable for cycling or horse riding.
Poppit Sands
- Distance is 14.00miles/22.53km
- Height is Ascents 415m, descents 415m.
- 17stiles, 13 gates, 408 steps
Ceibwr Bay
Cliffs at Ceibwr Bay, MoylegroveGlimmer
North Pembrokeshire Coast; oil on boardThe Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Newport to Pwllgwaelod/Dinas (8.5m/13.5km, 4hours) Ascents 100m, descents 100m. 6 stiles, 11 gates, 138 steps.
Coast Path Safety Code
Take care on the Coast Path - it runs through rugged, natural terrain. Please follow the Coast Path Safety Code:
* Keep to the path, away from cliff edges and overhangs.
* Always supervise children, especially near cliff edges.
* Walking surfaces can vary considerably with the weather. Always wear strong footwear with a good grip.
* Wear or carry warm and waterproof clothing.
* Clifftop walking can be dangerous in high winds.
* Beware of taking shortcuts across beaches - you may be cut off by the tide. Swimming can also be dangerous.
* Do not sit under cliffs or climb them.
* Keep dogs under close control.
Remember - the Coast Path is for walkers. Most of its length is not suitable for cycling or horse riding.
- Distance is 8.50miles/13.68km
- Height is Ascents 100m, descents 100m.
- 6 stiles, 11 gates, 138 steps
3) Lime Kiln
to be seen across river, near site of C16th Morfa Quarter (the poorer part of town) and C18th shipbuilding.
19) Dry stone slate quay walls
built early C19th; at least 5 storehouses (now occupied by Boat Club) & 3 limekilns built in the C18th; fine double limekiln & lime burner’s cottage survive.
Newport Boat Club
2) Yr Hen Gastell
Yr Hen Gastell is a possible site of an Iron Age fort or motte & bailey earthworks. Long Street had 88 burgages in 1434.
18) Parrog
Site of fishing village until C18th commercial development; exports of herring, wool and slate; imports of coal, culm and limestone; houses date from C19th development as a retirement & tourist attraction.
21) Old Lifeboat Station
Opened 1884; silting of river led to its abandonment within 20 years.
Newport, Pembrokeshire
Aerial view of Newport; mixed media on paperY Bont Haearn
Codwyd pont gerrig gyda chwe bwa yn y drydedd ganrif ar ddeg.Iron Bridge
A stone bridge with 6 arches was constructed here in the 13th century.Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Clifftop at Cwm-yr-EglwysThe Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Coast Path Safety Code
Take care on the Coast Path - it runs through rugged, natural terrain. Please follow the Coast Path Safety Code:
* Keep to the path, away from cliff edges and overhangs.
* Always supervise children, especially near cliff edges.
* Walking surfaces can vary considerably with the weather. Always wear strong footwear with a good grip.
* Wear or carry warm and waterproof clothing.
* Clifftop walking can be dangerous in high winds.
* Beware of taking shortcuts across beaches - you may be cut off by the tide. Swimming can also be dangerous.
* Do not sit under cliffs or climb them.
* Keep dogs under close control.
Remember - the Coast Path is for walkers. Most of its length is not suitable for cycling or horse riding.
Fishguard
- Distance is 7.00miles/11.27km
- Height is Ascents 200m, descents 200m
- 16 stiles, 8 gates, 295 steps
- Shop
- Refreshments
- Bank
- Accommodation
- Information
- Toilet
- Car parking
- Street parking
- Train
- Buses 405, 404, 411, 412, 410
