Castlemartin

Castlemartin is a village in, and giving its name to, the Hundred of Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire.

Location

The village is situated on the B4319 road on a sandstone ridge, five miles south-west of the county town Pembroke and 4½ miles south-east of Angle. It is part of the parish of Stackpole and Castlemartin, most of which is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

History and amenities

The village is centred on a prominent Norman motte-and-bailey castle, which, with the original dedication of the church to St Martin, gives the place its name. The church contains a cross-inscribed stone pillar of the 7th century-9th century. Like other places in southern Pembrokeshire, Castlemartin has been entirely English-speaking for 900 years or more.

The parish has 7½ miles of coastline, much of it consisting of spectacular limestone cliffs characterised by large sea caves, natural arches and stacks. During the 20th century, most of the limestone downland of the community was cleared by the government of its ancient farms for use as an artillery range. The main base is at Warren. Because of this, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in this area currently runs inland, by-passing the most interesting sections of cliff scenery, although some cliff features can be seen from Flimston (at 51°36′43″N 4°59′50″W). St Micheals Church, Castlemartin is now closed.

Census population of the parish: 496 (1801): 528 (1851): 460 (1901): 243 (1951): 147 (2001).

Outside links

• Castlemartin on Genuki
• Public Information on Army Range
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Castlemartin and surrounding area
• Castlemartin at HistoryofWales.com