Cwm-yr-Eglwys

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Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Kirchenruine St Brynach Cwm-yr-Eglwys 01.jpg
The Church of St Brynach ruins
Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Pembrokeshire UK location map.svg
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Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Location within Pembrokeshire
Community
  • Dinas Cross
Principal area
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Police Dyfed-Powys
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
List of places
UK
Wales
Pembrokeshire
52°01′N4°53′W / 52.02°N 4.89°W / 52.02; -4.89 Coordinates: 52°01′N4°53′W / 52.02°N 4.89°W / 52.02; -4.89

Cwm-yr-Eglwys (English: Valley of the Church [1] ) is a hamlet in a picturesque cove on the eastern side of the Dinas Island peninsula in the community of Dinas Cross between Fishguard and Newport, Pembrokeshire, in southwest Wales. It has a full time population of around 10 people. There are 27 homes and a small private caravan site.

Contents

Beach and facilities

Pen-y-fan, 466 feet (142 m), Pwllgwaelod and Cwm-yr-Eglwys Dinas Island map detail.JPG
Pen-y-fan, 466 feet (142 m), Pwllgwaelod and Cwm-yr-Eglwys

The beach has earned a Seaside Award and a Green Coast Award, similar to a Blue Flag beach award but for rural beaches with safe bathing. [2] There is a narrow slipway for launching small boats, limited car parking (charges applies at certain times) and a public toilet. [3] Dogs are allowed on the beach. [4] Holiday cottage lettings are available.

There is access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which runs round to Pwllgwaelod, a cove on the opposite side of the peninsula. Alternatively, Pwllgwaelod may be reached via a purpose-built 1.25-mile (2 km) direct path through the wooded valley that almost divides Dinas Head from the mainland; being level, it is suitable for disabled access. [5]

Church of St. Brynach the Abbot

St Brynach's church before 1831, painted by Henry Gastineau (1791-1876) CwmyreglwysGastineau.jpg
St Brynach's church before 1831, painted by Henry Gastineau (1791–1876)
An old picture postcard of Cwm-yr-Eglwys (c 1910) Cwm yr eglwys 2.jpg
An old picture postcard of Cwm-yr-Eglwys (c 1910)

The church of St. Brynach is on the site of an ancient llan, and the dedication is pre-Norman. The building suffered storm damage in 1850 and 1851 when the chancel was destroyed by the sea, the church footings left hanging over an abyss. The graveyard was severely damaged, the level being reduced by at least three feet, exposing human remains in large quantity. The great storm of October 1859 (the Royal Charter Storm) removed the church roof and damaged the walls. The building was abandoned immediately.

In 1880, the remaining ruins were demolished apart from the west entrance wall. A new sea wall was built to protect what was left of the graveyard. In 1979, damage after another storm caused the sea wall to be repaired by Preseli District Council and the gravestones to be rearranged. The ruins of the church are now a popular tourist attraction and a pleasant public space. [6]

There is a scale model of a Cwm Trader by the gate. This is type of coastal trading vessel that would have plied these waters. [7]

Climate

Sheltered from prevailing winds, Cwm-yr-Eglwys has its own microclimate, being a few degrees warmer and drier than other parts of the Pembrokeshire coast. [8] This allows the growth of trees and shrubs of almost Mediterranean luxuriance. [9]

Regatta

A popular event every year, the Cwm-yr-Eglwys boat club reunites during the first two weeks of August for sailing events and regattas. The annual in-shore regatta is for families, comprising a whole day of swimming races, rowing races, sandcastle competitions and other activities. There are regular in-shore diving competitions and activities for children.[ citation needed ]

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Dinas Cross Human settlement in Wales

Dinas Cross is both a village, a community and a former parish in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Located between Fishguard and Newport in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it is a popular holiday destination on the A487 road. The two hamlets, Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod, are in the community. The community has an elected community council and gives its name to an electoral ward of Pembrokeshire County Council which covers the communities of Dinas Cross, Cwm Gwaun and Puncheston.

<i>Royal Charter</i> Storm 1859 storm in the Irish Sea

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Marloes Human settlement in Wales

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Dwygyfylchi Village in Wales

Dwygyfylchi is a village in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It is part of the community of Penmaenmawr which has a population of 4,353. The electoral ward of Capelulo which includes Dwygyfylchi had a population of 1,485 in 2011. It was formerly part of the historic county of Caernarfonshire.

Cwm Gwaun Human settlement in Wales

Cwm Gwaun is a community and valley in north Pembrokeshire, Wales. The community is centred around Pontfaen, a parish and hamlet 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Fishguard, and includes the ancient parish of Llanychaer. In 2011, the population was 313. The valley is known for its unspoilt nature and old-world pub, and there are numerous other listed buildings.

Pwllgwaelod

Pwllgwaelod is a small scattered hamlet centred on a bay on the south-western side of the Dinas Island peninsula. It is in the community of Dinas Cross between Fishguard and Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Many of the properties within the hamlet of Pwllgwaelod are holiday cottages.

Dinas Island

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Church Bay, Anglesey Village in Wales

Church Bay is a settlement on the north-west coast of Anglesey, Wales, United Kingdom, about a mile and a half north-west of the village of Llanfaethlu. The bay shores are rocky but there is also a sandy beach which is popular with visitors. There are a handful of houses near the beach. The Anglesey Coastal Path runs along the cliff tops.

Brynhenllan Human settlement in Wales

Bryn-henllan, Bryn Henllan or Brynhenllan is a small settlement in the community of Dinas Cross, north Pembrokeshire, Wales, just north of the A487 road between Fishguard and Newport, on the road leading to Pwllgwaelod.

Newport Bay (Wales)

Newport Bay is a bay on a section of the north Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, which is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The bay is one of many in the much larger Cardigan Bay, and it stretches from Dinas Island to the headland of Pen-y-bâl, two miles to the east. It is overlooked by the town of Newport and the River Nevern flows into the bay.

Fishguard Bay is a bay on the north Pembrokeshire coast, Wales. Much of the bay's coastline is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park though the developed areas of Fishguard and Goodwick are excluded. Fronting onto the much larger Cardigan Bay, it stretches from Dinas Island to Crincoed Point, three miles to the west. Several smaller inlets pierce its southern shore whilst in the southwest it has been developed as Fishguard Harbour. The small sandy bay of Pwllgwaelod is located at its eastern extremity. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, itself a part of the longer Wales Coast Path runs around the bay, taking a slight detour inland along its western side.

References

  1. Kelsall, Dennis & Jan (2018). Walking in Pembrokeshire: 40 circular walks in and around the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (2nd ed.). Cicerone Press. p. 93. ISBN   1852849150.
  2. "Dinas Cross & Cwmyr Eglwys, Pembrokeshire, Wales". Visit Pembrokeshire. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  3. "Cwm yr Eglwys Beach". Nearest Beach. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  4. "Enjoy life with your dog". www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. "Cwm-yr-Eglwys to Pwllgwaelod walk" (PDF). Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  6. Hughes, John (2013). A History of the Church of St Brynach the Abbot. John Hughes.
  7. Description from plaque placed by model
  8. "What To Do in Pembrokeshire". Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  9. John, Brian (2017). Pembrokeshire Coast Path: National Trail Guide. Aurum Press. ISBN   1781315728.