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Blaenafon Holiday Cottage, Pembrokeshire
Newport, Pembrokeshire The Local Area |
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Local Area | Activities
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The cottage, in its special position, has so much to offer that
I seldom feel the need to go anywhere. From the cottage itself,
you can take many mountain walks, the hedgerows and the moors are
rich in wildlife and flowers, each in their season. Birds are in
great variety, sheep freely wander the little stone-walled fields
and mountain ponies come down round the cottage to graze. |
Pembrokeshire
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This part of Pembrokeshire
has some of the most precious secret places to visit. It is
a place of wild uplands, sheltered valleys and sacred sights.
Cromlech and Menhir abound in the area. |
Pentre Ifan
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The most famous Neolithic burial chamber in Wales, Pentre Ifan is situated just 1.25 miles from Newport. |
Castel Hentlys
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Not far away is Castel Hentlys, which is an iron age fort,
part of which has been rebuilt and is open to the public.
Feasts evoking the iron age are celebrated throughout the
season.
On the summit of Carningli mountain, 30 minutes walk from
the cottage, are the remains of an iron age valley. Its ancient
cut circles and fortifications are still clearly visible.
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Nevern
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Nevern is a tranquil village in the Wellow valley. It is very pleasant
to go for lunch at the local hostelry and then walk to beautiful
Nevern church and see its old yews and famous Celtic Cross. |
Newport
Newport castle dates from 1191 but was rebuilt in Victorian times.
It was founded by the Norman, William FitzMartin, whilst Nevern
castle, two miles inland, was founded by the Welsh Princes.
Newport is a pattern of pretty, narrow streets gathered below the
castle reminding us of its medieaval heritage. It was once a thriving
port but now the river mouth has silted up so that only small pleasure
craft can use it. Along the estuary you can see the remains of line
kilns.
The town has a population of about 1200 and its shops, banks and
good restaurants offer excellent service. |
Traditions
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Many old traditions are still kept, such as Beating the Bounds.
This was to remind the parishoners where the village boundaries
were. The mayor, on horse back and Court Leet and members of the
public go round the boundaries. To instil in the youngsters where
these were they were beaten every now and again. This, I might add,
is now only symbolically done at one place on the boundary walk. |
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