Stacen y Brenhin

Island in Pembrokeshire

Wales

Stacen y Brenhin

Solva harbour Low tide at Solva harbour, lime kilns on the far shore.
Solva harbour Credit: E Gammie

Stacen y Brenhin, also known as St. Catherine's Island, is a small tidal island located off the coast of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, in Wales. The island is situated approximately 200 meters from the mainland and can be reached by a causeway during low tide.

The island is home to a historic fortification, which was built in the mid-19th century as part of the defense system against French invasion. The fort, constructed from local limestone, consists of a central tower surrounded by a defensive wall and a moat. It was later used as a private residence before being abandoned in the early 20th century.

Stacen y Brenhin is known for its picturesque and rugged landscape, with rocky cliffs and a small sandy beach. The island is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline and the town of Tenby.

Visitors are able to explore the island and its fortification, although access is limited to low tide periods due to the causeway being submerged during high tide. The fort is not fully open to the public but can be viewed from the outside.

The island is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity. It provides a habitat for various species of plants, birds, and marine life, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Stacen y Brenhin is a unique and historically significant location, combining natural beauty with a glimpse into Wales' military past.

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Stacen y Brenhin Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.863319/-5.1716031 or Grid Reference SM8123. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Solva harbour Low tide at Solva harbour, lime kilns on the far shore.
Solva harbour
Low tide at Solva harbour, lime kilns on the far shore.
Lower Solva from Gribin Lower Solva lies behind Solva Harbour, which itself is in a 'fjord-like' inlet in the coastline here. Gribin is also known as the Cribyn ridge locally.
Lower Solva from Gribin
Lower Solva lies behind Solva Harbour, which itself is in a 'fjord-like' inlet in the coastline here. Gribin is also known as the Cribyn ridge locally.
Solva harbour from Gribin The houses of Upper Solva lie above the inlet, some overlooking the picturesque harbour.
Solva harbour from Gribin
The houses of Upper Solva lie above the inlet, some overlooking the picturesque harbour.
Rocks and islands off Solva harbour Beyond Penrhyn Head are St. Elvis' Rock and Black Rock and out to sea is larger Green Scar with The Mare and Black Scar each side. Quite a coastline.
Rocks and islands off Solva harbour
Beyond Penrhyn Head are St. Elvis' Rock and Black Rock and out to sea is larger Green Scar with The Mare and Black Scar each side. Quite a coastline.
Gate and footbridge at Gwadn The pebbly storm beach here is interesting and it's a lovely spot.
Gate and footbridge at Gwadn
The pebbly storm beach here is interesting and it's a lovely spot.
Canada Geese with goslings on Gwadn This little family waddled off seawards at my approach, just as well as a dog off its lead came in a few minutes later.
Canada Geese with goslings on Gwadn
This little family waddled off seawards at my approach, just as well as a dog off its lead came in a few minutes later.
St. Elvis cromlech This Neolithic burial chamber is around 5,000 years old and sited between farm tracks. Saint Elvis was an Irish saint in the 6th century and baptised St. David and an old church dedicated to St. Elvis was sited nearby, now somewhere underneath St. Elvis Farm adjacent.
St. Elvis cromlech
This Neolithic burial chamber is around 5,000 years old and sited between farm tracks. Saint Elvis was an Irish saint in the 6th century and baptised St. David and an old church dedicated to St. Elvis was sited nearby, now somewhere underneath St. Elvis Farm adjacent.
St. Elvis cromlech One of the oldest man-made structures in Pembrokeshire lies sandwiched between farm tracks.
St. Elvis cromlech
One of the oldest man-made structures in Pembrokeshire lies sandwiched between farm tracks.
Footpath between St. Elvis Farm and Lochvane This narrow and quiet path between cow pastures is warm and sheltered and a haven for wildlife.
Footpath between St. Elvis Farm and Lochvane
This narrow and quiet path between cow pastures is warm and sheltered and a haven for wildlife.
Old farm at Lochvane A collection of classic Landy's outside but not much sign of life.
Old farm at Lochvane
A collection of classic Landy's outside but not much sign of life.
The motte of Pointz Castle Beside a farmyard this motte sits partly overgrown.
The motte of Pointz Castle
Beside a farmyard this motte sits partly overgrown.
The motte of Pointz Castle with ditch The ditch shows up as different vegetation.
The motte of Pointz Castle with ditch
The ditch shows up as different vegetation.
Dinas Fach A path wends down this narrow headland and offers excellent views up and down the coastline here.
Dinas Fach
A path wends down this narrow headland and offers excellent views up and down the coastline here.
The coastline between Dinas Fach and Solva An impressive stretch comprising numerous tall cliffs, small and medium sized bays and smaller inlets.
The coastline between Dinas Fach and Solva
An impressive stretch comprising numerous tall cliffs, small and medium sized bays and smaller inlets.
Part of Aber West and Dinas Fawr A medium sized bay with the headland jutting out and long Newgale Sands stretching out further around the coast eastward..
Part of Aber West and Dinas Fawr
A medium sized bay with the headland jutting out and long Newgale Sands stretching out further around the coast eastward..
Aber West bay looking west towards Solva It's easy to see how this section of coast is so popular with walkers.
Aber West bay looking west towards Solva
It's easy to see how this section of coast is so popular with walkers.
Bay near Solva The high tide line shows the usual collection of flotsam and jetsam, mainly plastic in various forms. Hardly surprising with all the traffic out to sea and inshore.
Bay near Solva
The high tide line shows the usual collection of flotsam and jetsam, mainly plastic in various forms. Hardly surprising with all the traffic out to sea and inshore.
Thrift growing on the cliff top near Solva Rabbits have colonised the fenced-off cliff edge and Thrift grows well here also, always a beautiful sight.
Thrift growing on the cliff top near Solva
Rabbits have colonised the fenced-off cliff edge and Thrift grows well here also, always a beautiful sight.
Show me another place!

Stacen y Brenhin is located at Grid Ref: SM8123 (Lat: 51.863319, Lng: -5.1716031)

Unitary Authority: Pembrokeshire

Police Authority: Dyfed Powys

What 3 Words

///redefined.vaulting.twilight. Near St Davids, Pembrokeshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.863319,-5.1716031
Source: OS_Opendata_Vectormap_District
Lat/Long: 51.862842/-5.1778217
Source: OS_Opendata_Vectormap_District
Lat/Long: 51.8630215/-5.175696
Source: OS_Opendata_Vectormap_District
Lat/Long: 51.8631261/-5.1774467
Source: OS_Opendata_Vectormap_District
Lat/Long: 51.8645484/-5.1667036
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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