Cwm-yr-Eglwys

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Dinas Island showing Pen-y-fan, its highest point, and Dinas Head. Also shown are the small settlements of Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod. Inset: location within Pembrokeshire
The remains of St. Brynach's Church
St Brynach's church prior to 1831
An old postcard picture of Cwm-yr-Eglwys (c.1910)

Cwm-yr-Eglwys (Valley of the church) is a hamlet located at a picturesque cove on the south-eastern side of the Dinas Island peninsula in the community of Dinas Cross between Fishguard and Newport, Pembrokeshire, in southwest Wales. The hamlet takes its name from the ruined church by the beach.[1]

Beach and facilities

There is a small beach with safe bathing, and it has earned a Seaside Award and a Green Coast Award (an award similar to a Blue Flag beach Award but for rural beaches).[2] There is a narrow slipway for launching small boats, limited car parking (small charge applies at certain times), and a public toilet.[3] There are also some holiday cottage lettings available.

Dogs are allowed on the beach.[4]

From here there is access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which runs round Dinas Island peninsula to Pwllgwaelod, a cove on the western side. Alternatively, Pwllgwaelod can be reached by a popular short direct walk (a little over a mile in length) through the valley that almost divides Dinas Head from the mainland. This is level and suitable for disabled access.[5]

Regatta

Cwm-yr-Eglwys is a popular location for holiday makers, and every year the Cwm-yr-Eglwys boat club reunites for the first two weeks of August to have sailing events and regattas. The annual inshore regatta is always a crowd puller with families taking part in a whole day of events of swimming races, rowing races, sandcastle competitions and many other activities throughout the day.

Climate

Sheltered from prevailing winds, Cwm-yr-Eglwys is renowned for having its very own microclimate, it being a few degrees warmer and dryer compared to other parts of the Pembrokeshire coast.[6] This allows the growth of trees and shrubs of almost Mediterranean luxuriance.[7]

Church of St. Brynach the Abbot The church is on the site of an ancient llan, and the dedication is pre-Norman. The building suffered damage in 1850 when the chancel was destroyed by the sea. The great storm of 1859 (the Royal Charter storm) removed the church roof and damaged the walls. The ruins stood until 1880 when they were demolished to the present west end only and a new sea wall built to protect what was left of the graveyard. Another storm in 1979 caused damage to the wall and churchyard; repairs by Preseli District Council converted it into a most pleasant public space. The ruins of the church are now a popular tourist attraction.[8] By the gate is a scale model of a Cwm Trader - the type of coastal trading vessel that would have plied these waters at the time of the storm.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Walking in Pembrokeshire, by Dennis & Jan Kelsall, Cicerone Press, 2007 (p.93)
  2. ↑ Visit Pembrokeshire
  3. ↑ www.NearestBeach.co.uk
  4. ↑ Dogfriendly Britain.co.uk
  5. ↑ Cwm-yr-Eglwys to Pwllgwaelod walk
  6. ↑ What To Do in Pembrokeshire
  7. ↑ Pembrokeshire Coast Path, by Brian John, Aurum Press, 2008
  8. ↑ The church of St Brynach the Abbot, John Hughes, 2013
  9. ↑ Description from plaque placed by model.

External websites

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Coordinates: 52°01′08″N 4°53′24″W / 52.019°N 4.89°W / 52.019; -4.89

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