| Mwnt | |
| Welsh: (Y) Mwnt | |
Mwnt Church from the headland |
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Mwnt
Mwnt shown within Ceredigion |
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| OS grid reference | SN194520 |
|---|---|
| Principal area | Ceredigion |
| Ceremonial county | Dyfed |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CARDIGAN |
| Postcode district | SA43 |
| Dialling code | 01239 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Ceredigion |
| Welsh Assembly | Ceredigion |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Ceredigion | |
Mwnt is a very small community and ancient parish in south Ceredigion, Wales, on the Irish Sea coast about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from Cardigan. It gets its name from the prominent steep conical hill (Foel y Mwnt), a landmark from much of Cardigan Bay, that rises above the beach.
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Mwnt is best known for its popular beach. The Daily Mail placed Mwnt top of its list of "Europe's top ten loveliest hidden beaches".[1]
The beach has earned a Green Coast Award (an award similar to a Blue Flag beach Award but for rural beaches).[2] Swimming conditions are considered safe at Mwnt but there is no lifeguard service.[3]
Dogs are not allowed on the beach between the 1st May and 30th September inclusive.[4]
The Irish Sea off Mwnt is rich in wildlife, being a regular summer home to dolphins, seals and porpoises.
Mwnt was the site of an unsuccessful invasion by Flemings in 1155, and its defeat was long afterwards celebrated on the first Sunday in January as "Sul Coch y Mwnt". The name (Red Sunday) was given in consequence of the blood shed on that day.[5] It is reputed that the bones of the defeated invaders would occasionally be visible under the sand when uncovered by windy conditions in the early 20th century.[6]
The Church of the Holy Cross (Welsh: Eglwys y Grog) is an example of a medieval sailor's chapel of ease. The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints, but the present building is probably 14th century. It has an example of a 12th or 13th century font made of Preseli stone. Mwnt was a civil parish in its own right for several centuries, but before the 17th century it was a detached chapelry of the parish of Llangoedmor. Since 1934, it has been part of the parish of Y Ferwig.
The beach, but not the church, is owned by the National Trust who exercise a conservation remit over both.
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