Cenarth

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Cenarth
Carmarthenshire

View of River Teifi from Cenarth
Location
Grid reference: SN268416
Location: 52°2’46"N, 4°31’37"W
Data
Population: 1,022  (2001)
Post town: Newcastle Emlyn
Postcode: SA38
Dialling code: 01239
Local Government
Council: Carmarthenshire
Parliamentary
constituency:
Carmarthen East & Dinefwr

Cenarth is a village and parish in Carmarthenshire, adjoining the Cenarth Falls, bordering Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire.

Location

The village stands on the banks of the River Teifi, six miles east of Cardigan and 2½ miles west of Newcastle Emlyn.

History and amenities

The ancient parish extends for three miles south of the river, including the town of Newcastle Emlyn. In 1934, the civil parish was merged with that of East Cilrhedyn giving a population of 1,022 in the 2001 census.

The River Teifi at this point emerges from a deep ravine over a ledge that produces a spectacular waterfall when the river is in full spate and this attracts many visitors throughout the year. A dramatic painting of the falls was made by Frank Miles and is now at Nottingham City Museum. Miles's father inherited Cardigan Priory from his father, Philip John Miles, but lived in Nottinghamshire as Rector of Bingham.[1]

Cenarth Bridge

A dominant feature of the village is the bridge over the Teifi which was built in 1787 by William Edwards of Eglwysilan and his son David. The bridge features their trademark series of circular holes that allow the weight of the structure to be reduced without losing strength.

Other visitor attractions are a seventeenth-century flour mill and coracle museum.

The parish church is dedicated to the local saint, St Llawddog. Although the present building is relatively modern, it is on an important ancient site, and was the "bishop house" of the cantref of Emlyn.

The ancient parish (less Newcastle Emlyn) has an area of 6,320 acres. Its census populations were: 672 (1801); 897 (1851); 638 (1901).

The enlarged parish (post-1934) had an area of 12,098 acres. Its census populations were: 1098 (1951); 1066 (1961); 926 (1971); 971 (1981).

The village is also home to the National Coracle Centre.[2]

References

  1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/salmon-leap-cenarth-falls-cardiganshire-47218
  2. Halstead, Robin; Hezaley, Jason; Morris, Alex; Morris, Joel (2007). Far from the Sodding Crowd. Penguin books. pp. 164–169. ISBN 978-0-7181-4966-6. 
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Outside links

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