Historic Pembrokeshire

There is so much to explore in and around Fishguard and the north of this mystical county. Legends and myths abound, enticing you to venture into an ancient Celtic past. Investigate medieval castles, Neolithic megalithic monuments and Iron Age coastal promontory forts. Discover ritual sites dating back to the Bronze Age. The traditions of these early people are enshrined in the place names and extraordinary folk tales, especially that connected with King Arthur. We have mentioned only a few of these historical sites below. Please click on our links page to explore more detailed sites for information on all of Pembrokeshire and Wales’ heritage.

Pentre Ifan is a magnificent Neolithic burial chamber dating from around 3000 BC and is widely considered to be the largest and finest in Pembrokeshire. It can be found outside Newport, following signs from A487, just a few miles from Fishguard. The chambers, or cromlechs, consisted of several upright stone columns, with a huge capstone positioned as a roof on top, which were covered in earth or with stones to form an enormous mound.

Carreg Samson is a Neolithic Cromlech located at Ty Hir (long house) farm, overlooking the village of Abercastle. It has the look of a large table and the legendary Samson is supposed to have lifted the capstone with his little finger! Perhaps you can stop off here on your way to St Davids?

You may remember the BBC series, ‘Surviving the Iron Age’ in 2001. Its location was the reconstructed Iron Age hillfort at Castell Henllys, just outside Newport on the A487 from Fishguard. Once inside this ancient settlement you get a real sense of Celtic life from the time before Roman occupation in Britain. Simply absorb the atmosphere, learn from the demonstrations about every day activities such as wattle and daubing, or enjoy one of the many festivals that recreate the spirit of the past.

Combine your visit to Castell Henllys with a trip to the beautiful village of Nevern nearby. Very little remains of its medieval castle dating back to the 12th Century, but the village church, St Brynach, boasts a magnificent 10th Century Celtic Cross and a 5th Century stone. There is also a remarkable avenue of Yew Trees in the churchyard, in particular the second on the right, a 700 year old ‘Bleeding Tree’. Blood-red resin drips continuously from a place where a branch was once removed and some believe it will bleed until a Welshman occupies the castle on the hill again.

A visit to Cilgerran Castle takes you to an absolutely stunning location, at the very tip of northern Pembrokeshire. Its imposing twin round towers and a sense of the great figures, such as Roger de Montgomery and Gerald de Windsor, that marched through it, make Cilgerran well worth a visit. There are many attractions nearby such as the Welsh Wildlife Centre and Cenarth with its Coracle museum and working 17th Century flour mill. You can really step back in time with nearby Carn Menyn, the source of the famous Stonehenge bluestones.