It was announced a couple of weeks ago that National Geographic had named Pembrokeshire as the second best coastal destination in the world along with the Tutukaka coast in New Zealand. This means it beat places such as the Seychelles and Bermuda! The magazine rated 99 of the world's islands, coastlines and beaches for sustainability and authenticity and their top 15, which included Pembrokeshire, were chosen because they are in excellent shape, being relatively unspoiled and likely to stay like it.
Perhaps that's because there is so much to see around here that none of it ever gets really busy even during the height of the summer tourist season? Anyway, we decided to test that theory yesterday and headed north of the county for a brisk walk along the coast. The peninsula of Dinas Island which is owned by the National Trust starts and ends at a place called Pwllgwaelod. When we got here it was heaving with kayakers and coasteerers so we took a walk along the path to the beach a short distance away at Cwm yr Eglyws and found it deserted.' Now THAT is what Pembrokeshire is like!
The little hamlet at Cwm yr Eglyws is well known for having its own microclimate. It is often a few degrees hotter and drier than other parts of the Pembrokeshire coast. There is a sandy beach and a slipway for small boats. It is the site of the 12th century church of St Brynach which was almost completely destroyed by the Royal Charter storm of 1859. Only the belfry, west wall and part of the graveyard remain as you can see above. The Royal Charter went down off the coast of Anglesey in a horrendous storm in 1859 which affected many parts of the Welsh coast. It was responsible for over 800 deaths in one night and also led to the setting up of the gale warnings from the Meteorlogical Office. Not that there were any gales in sight yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day but darkened as the afternoon wore on. Last night saw one of the worst storms of the autumn so far and I hear on the news that it is now making it's way across mainland Britain. If it's anything like we experienced here, I'd batten down the hatches!
9 comments:
lovely blog - thank you
Hi Lesley, The photos are lovely!
I can see why Pembrokeshire is considered one of the world's best! Love it and as you say there is so much to see and nearly all of it magical. The wind and rain has reached us this morning after a beautiful day yesterday. Can just see your lovely feather and seaweed photo as a book cover or something.
Jane
So can you pronounce these names in Welsh? :O))))))
It looks a lovely place to be. Hard to imagine 800 souls losing their lives on a stormy night in times gone past. Nature is very forceful, htat's for sure.
Gaaaahhh! Blogger not showing me the photos - I'll have to come back later and sneak up on it, don't want to miss out!
We got your gales later in the day yesterday over here in the 'Far East' - led to a very bad hair day!
OK, so now I can see them! And aren't they beautiful, you lucky duckie
Hi Lesley
Eglyws - is that 'church' in Welsh, similar to the French word eglise. I love the chapel - what a lovely place to visit.
I guess they didn't take the weather into account when evaluating Wales with the Seychelles and Bermuda!
It does look beautiful, and so much the better for being quiet, so that you can visit and explore in peace (though maybe not next summer after the National Geographic's opinion!). Lucky you living on the doorstep!!
Dan
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I have never visited this part of Wales, but have heard its praises sung from many quarters, how great that it should be recognised on a global level. However I do hope it maintains its unspoiled natural, how lovely to live so close.
You have made a good case for the Pembrokeshire coast Lesley and it looks stunning. Your photos gives a real sense of history and legend. Pembrokeshire has long been on our places to visit on the British coast and I'm more keen than ever now!
Its great that this natural and unspoilt coastline has been recognised by National Geographic - thoroughly deserving.
Your sad tale of so many souls lost to the sea is a familiar one to us here in Suffolk where the land continues to be eroded by the force of the North Sea.
Jeanne
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PS Its WINDY here today!
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