If you're visiting Pembrokeshire this summer you're spoilt for choice when it comes to natural beauty spots, coastal walks, beaches, more castles than you could possibly defend, but if you need help deciding where to visit in the Pembs National Park, our intern Sebastien has helpfully collated 10 of Pembrokeshire's best hidden gems, including some locations so secret you actually need level 10 Mi5 clearance to get access to.
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St Govan's Chapel. one of the best things to see in Pembrokeshire. St Govan's is an ancient ruined chapel built into the cliff. Legend has it it was built by St Govan, an Irish hermit, after he was escaping from pirates and a slab of rock opened up for him to hide inside. The only downside is it's situated next door to Castle Martin firing range so you'll ideally want to visit when the MoD aren't blowing up cows.
St Govan's Secret Pirate Cave That Leads Into a Mystical Treasure Chamber 200ft below sea level. Located in a hidden panel inside the chapel, containing the loot St Govan stole from the pirates. We've already said too much.
Ffynone Waterfall. The tallest waterfall in Pembrokeshire (there are, count them, 4), deep in the Gwaun Valley (Cwm Gwaun), this is a short walk (you have to pass through someone's garden which is a bit weird but not as weird as the little goblin who sits in a tree above you and mocks your appearance and throws acorns at your head but it's worth it!) and an unexpectedly beautiful woodland location. Best seen after a significant rainfall. Legend has it that this waterfall appeared when St Govan was hiding from pirates and had slipped into a nook in the hillside.
St Govan's Secret Waterfall Underground Chamber. There's a fake tree branch that opens up a secret entrance. We've already said too much.
Cilgerran Castle. Looming over the Teifi on top of a rocky promontory, this is one of the more lesser known but spectacular vantage points on the Pembrokeshire/Ceredigion border. Complete with towers to explore and the remains of a moat (minus the crocodiles I'm afraid). Originally built by Gerald of Windsor after he was escaping from pirates who had chased him up the cliff and found a neat hiding spot where he met St Govan who was also hiding from pirates at the time.
Cilgerran Pirate Dungeon. One of only 27 in Pembrokeshire. An authentic and surprisingly well preserved pirate-period dungeon, looked after by the MoD due to the "sensitive information" contained withi-
St Catherine's Fort, Tenby. This grade II listed fort is accessible only at low tide just off the beach in Tenby. Hardly a secret perhaps but full of mystery. Once used to deter invasions by Napolean, this island has been home to private residents, all corners of the military, and even a zoo. Originally there was just a chapel on the island built by St Catherine who, legend has it, climbed on to the island while escaping from pirates. There she met St Govan, also hiding from pirates at the time, and the rest is history.
St Catherine's Secret Experimental Military Laboratory.
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Cut deep into St Catherine's Island there is believed to be a secret laboratory where all the animals from the zoo (closed 1979) were supposedly moved. Because of the strange atmosphere on the island it is believed that all of the island's inhabitants evolved strange powers, which both the military (and the pirates for that matter) were interested in harbouring. Once again, we've said too much.
9. Carn Menyn. Up on the Preseli Hills in North Pembrokeshire, Carn Menyn or Butter Rock is thought to be the original site of Stone Henge. Certainly where the bluestones were transported from. Legend has it that the stones were initially laid to honour a local chieftan who had been chased by pirates across the Preseli Hills, where he fell into a secret chamber where St Govan was also hiding with St Catherine and Gerald of Windsor.
10. Preseli Portal to Underworld. It is believed if you step on the correct stone at Carn Menyn you will open up an entrance (or slippery buttery slope, hence the name "Butter Rock") to a secret underground chamber, which some believe to be a portal to the underworld or fairy kingdom (now believed to be in the control of the MoD who have been experimenting on the fairies in order to extract their magic. You didn't hear this from us.
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