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GOODWICK TO ABER-BACH COASTAL STRIP
![GOODWICK TO ABER-BACH COASTAL STRIP](images/goodwickaberbach.jpg)
GRID REFERENCE: SM 891382
AREA IN HECTARES: 292
Historic Background
A character area of modern Pembrokeshire comprising
a narrow coastal strip, forming part of the medieval Cantref Pebidiog,
or ‘Dewisland’. Pebidiog was held directly by the Bishops
of St David’s, having represented the core of the bishopric from
1082 when it was granted (or confirmed) by Rhys ap Tewdwr, king of pre-Anglo-Norman
Conquest Dyfed, to Bishop Sulien. It lies within the parishes of Llanwnda
and St Nicholas. Historically this coastal strip has always been marginal
land, and includes a larger area of formal common land, Ciliau Moor Common
(with Waun Morfa and Garn Nelu Commons). A small area of common at Crincoed
Point was enclosed in1815. However, a larger area of unenclosed land to
the west, at Ogof-y-drwg, overlies an undated field system, which may
be prehistoric - among the former occupation sites in this area are two
coastal promontory forts of the Iron Age. A large, rectangular earthwork
on the island of Ynys Meicel has been interpreted as an early medieval
ecclesiastical site, but is probably later, and secular in origin. Ciliau
may be the ‘Kelle’ recorded in a survey of 1326, when it included
1 carucate of ploughland. Nevertheless past land-use within this area
was mainly as rough grazing. There are few places suitable for landing
small boats along this stretch of high sea cliff, but a French invasion
force landed at Carregwastad Point during the (abortive) last invasion
of Britain of 1797. The area’s main function is now as a corridor
for the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, set between the enclosed farmland and
the edges of the sea cliffs. However, several built features, of recent
date, are very prominent within the landscape. Strumble Head lighthouse
on Ynys Meicel was first proposed by Trinity House in 1825 but was not
built in 1908-9. It may have succeeded an earlier, smaller lighthouse
built nearby on the mainland.
![GOODWICK TO ABER-BACH COASTAL STRIP](images/goodwickaberbach2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This historic landscape character area comprises approximately
13 km of high, exposed and windswept sea cliffs and cliff top running
from Goodwick harbour in the east to Aber-Bach in the west. In places
the cliffs achieve heights of over 100m. It is an inhospitable coast,
with no safe landing places. A band of rough ground is sandwiched between
the cliff top and farmland. This band is generally narrow, varying between
just a few metres and 50m, but in a few locations, as at Ogof-y-drwg,
it broadens to several hundred metres. The rough ground and scrubby bushes
of Ciliau Moor are included in this area. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path
runs along the complete length of cliff top. There are no permanently
inhabited buildings in this area. Strumble Head lighthouse is now automated
and its light is visible for 29 miles. It sits in a walled enclosure together
with the former keeper’s cottage; the stone-built whitewashed complex
forming a distinctive element of the landscape. There are also radio masts
at nearby Pencaer. Other buildings include several World War 2 installations.
Most prominent of these is a brick structure, close to Strumble Head lighthouse,
which is now converted to a bird hide. There are also several buildings
of a radar station close to Pant-y-Beudy Farm. Archaeological sites are
varied, and include: several flint findspots of mesolithic or bronze age
date; a bronze age round barrow; two iron age promontory forts (including
the scheduled site of Dinas Mawr); field systems of unknown date; the
site on Ynys Meicel and a possible rabbit warren.
The coastal strip is an extremely well defined historic
character area. Its historic components are entirely different from those
that compose the neighbouring landscapes of farms and fields.
Sources: Hague 1994; Llanwnda Parish tithe map 1845;
Ludlow 2002; National Library of Wales 14229/6; Western Telegraph 15/08/2001
Base map reproduced from the OS map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, © Crown Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221 |