Castell

Heritage Site in Pembrokeshire

Wales

Castell

Needle Rock from the sea Unusual view of the sea stack from the water, thanks to a boat trip. The aperture through it is known as the Eye of the Needle.
Fragments from the wrecked Hermina (1921) are said to be visible here at low water.
Needle Rock from the sea Credit: Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff

Castell, Pembrokeshire is a historic heritage site located in the county of Pembrokeshire, Wales. The site is an ancient hillfort that dates back to the Iron Age, with evidence of human occupation and fortification dating as far back as 600 BC. It is situated on a prominent hilltop, providing strategic views of the surrounding landscape and coastline.

The hillfort is surrounded by impressive defensive earthworks, including multiple ramparts and ditches, which served as a protective barrier for the settlement. The site covers an area of approximately 5 acres, consisting of a central enclosure and an outer enclosure.

Excavations and archaeological surveys have revealed a variety of structures within the hillfort, including roundhouses, storage pits, and evidence of ironworking. These findings suggest that the site was once a thriving community, engaged in agriculture, trade, and craft activities.

Castell, Pembrokeshire has significant historical and cultural value, as it offers insights into the daily lives and social organization of Iron Age communities in the area. The site is also notable for its strategic location and its role in the defense of the region during ancient times.

Today, Castell, Pembrokeshire attracts visitors who are interested in exploring its rich history and enjoying the stunning views from its elevated position. The site is managed and maintained by local authorities, with interpretive signs and information boards providing visitors with a deeper understanding of its archaeological significance.

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Castell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.002/-4.945 or Grid Reference SM9737. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Needle Rock from the sea Unusual view of the sea stack from the water, thanks to a boat trip. The aperture through it is known as the Eye of the Needle.
Fragments from the wrecked Hermina (1921) are said to be visible here at low water.
Needle Rock from the sea
Unusual view of the sea stack from the water, thanks to a boat trip. The aperture through it is known as the Eye of the Needle. Fragments from the wrecked Hermina (1921) are said to be visible here at low water.
Guillemot breeding ledge Guillemots 'nest' each year on this narrow ledge and paint the cliff face with their excreta. Seen from below, by boat.
Guillemot breeding ledge
Guillemots 'nest' each year on this narrow ledge and paint the cliff face with their excreta. Seen from below, by boat.
Pirate cannonball in Glynymel Road This cannonball was unearthed in the garden above. Its size and shape suggest that it was fired from a pirate or privateer ship in the harbour since it resembles the description of the cannonball that injured a local resident, Miss Mary Fenton, sister of the merchant Samuel Fenton who built the harbour walls and main warehouse during the latter part of the 18thC. It is recorded that a privateer, probably Stephen Manhant, entered the harbour in 1779 and fired cannon shot into the village.
Pirate cannonball in Glynymel Road
This cannonball was unearthed in the garden above. Its size and shape suggest that it was fired from a pirate or privateer ship in the harbour since it resembles the description of the cannonball that injured a local resident, Miss Mary Fenton, sister of the merchant Samuel Fenton who built the harbour walls and main warehouse during the latter part of the 18thC. It is recorded that a privateer, probably Stephen Manhant, entered the harbour in 1779 and fired cannon shot into the village.
Fishguard - Lower Town Quay Street and the tidal harbour seen from Tower Hill viewpoint.
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Fishguard - Lower Town
Quay Street and the tidal harbour seen from Tower Hill viewpoint. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Harbour Mouth Yachts and small boats sit high and dry at low tide where the River Gwaun flows into the sea.
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Fishguard - Harbour Mouth
Yachts and small boats sit high and dry at low tide where the River Gwaun flows into the sea. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Lower Town Old harbourside area sited between the mouth of the River Gwaun and the Newport Road.
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Fishguard - Lower Town
Old harbourside area sited between the mouth of the River Gwaun and the Newport Road. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Viewpoint Bench on Tower Hill overlooking Lower Town and historic harbour.
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Fishguard - Viewpoint
Bench on Tower Hill overlooking Lower Town and historic harbour. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Tower Hill Steps descending the wooded hill to the valley of the River Gwaun.
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Fishguard - Tower Hill
Steps descending the wooded hill to the valley of the River Gwaun. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Lime Kiln Pistyll Hotch lime kiln, once derelict, has recently been beautifully rebuilt privately. It sits beside the River Gwaun in Lower Town.
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Fishguard - Lime Kiln
Pistyll Hotch lime kiln, once derelict, has recently been beautifully rebuilt privately. It sits beside the River Gwaun in Lower Town. LinkExternal link
Fishguard Bridge The bridge carries the A487 over the River Gwaun towards Newport. It dates from 1875, presumably designed by Thomas George, Pembrokeshire County Surveyor.
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Fishguard Bridge
The bridge carries the A487 over the River Gwaun towards Newport. It dates from 1875, presumably designed by Thomas George, Pembrokeshire County Surveyor. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Aber Gwaun Low tide in the harbour at Lower Town where the Gwaun flows into the sea.
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Fishguard - Aber Gwaun
Low tide in the harbour at Lower Town where the Gwaun flows into the sea. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Cannon 17th century cannon on the quayside in Lower Town. It overlooks the tidal harbour / river mouth.
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Fishguard - Cannon
17th century cannon on the quayside in Lower Town. It overlooks the tidal harbour / river mouth. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Herring Sculpture A bronze sculpture depicting a shoal of herring sits above a 25 ton stone rock taken from the nearby Preseli Hills. Fishguard once was a prominent fishing port.
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Fishguard - Herring Sculpture
A bronze sculpture depicting a shoal of herring sits above a 25 ton stone rock taken from the nearby Preseli Hills. Fishguard once was a prominent fishing port. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Cinema Memorial This quayside plaque (1996) commemorates the century of cinema and also the filming here in Lower Town of the film "Under Milk Wood" (1971).
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Fishguard - Cinema Memorial
This quayside plaque (1996) commemorates the century of cinema and also the filming here in Lower Town of the film "Under Milk Wood" (1971). LinkExternal link
Fishguard Fort - Cannon Fishguard Fort on Castle Point overlooks Fishguard Harbour. It was built 1781-85 and chased away the 1797 French invasion force with one cannon shot.
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Fishguard Fort - Cannon
Fishguard Fort on Castle Point overlooks Fishguard Harbour. It was built 1781-85 and chased away the 1797 French invasion force with one cannon shot. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Castle Point This rocky promontory is topped with Fishguard Fort overlooking Fishguard Harbour from the SE. It was built between 1781-85 and was used in the 1797 operation against a French invasion force. The fort is also one of the few pre-WW2 coastal defences which fired shots in anger. 
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Fishguard - Castle Point
This rocky promontory is topped with Fishguard Fort overlooking Fishguard Harbour from the SE. It was built between 1781-85 and was used in the 1797 operation against a French invasion force. The fort is also one of the few pre-WW2 coastal defences which fired shots in anger. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Lower Town Houses on Quay Street overlooking yachts grounded by low tide in Fishguard Harbour.
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Fishguard - Lower Town
Houses on Quay Street overlooking yachts grounded by low tide in Fishguard Harbour. LinkExternal link
Fishguard - Lower Town Houses on Quay Street overlooking yachts grounded by low tide in Fishguard Harbour.
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Fishguard - Lower Town
Houses on Quay Street overlooking yachts grounded by low tide in Fishguard Harbour. LinkExternal link
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Castell is located at Grid Ref: SM9737 (Lat: 52.002, Lng: -4.945)

Unitary Authority: Pembrokeshire

Police Authority: Dyfed Powys

What 3 Words

///sweetened.owes.exulted. Near Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

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Theatr Gwaun

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.002,-4.945
Fishguard Bay Caravan and Camping Park
Source: ACSI
Tourism: camp_site
Lat/Long: 51.99838/-4.94312
SA65 9ET
Tourism: camp_site
Lat/Long: 52.0049655/-4.9399418
Give Way
Direction: backward
Lat/Long: 51.9982244/-4.9431897
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.9975201/-4.9446272
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.9976823/-4.9435072
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.9978085/-4.9424196
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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