St Florence

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St Florence
Pembrokeshire

St Florence's church
Location
Grid reference: SN0808901170
Location: 51°40’34"N, 4°46’34"W
Data
Post town: Tenby
Postcode: SA70
Dialling code: 01834
Local Government
Council: Pembrokeshire
Parliamentary
constituency:
Carmarthen West
and South Pembrokeshire

St Florence is a village and parish situated four miles to the west of the seaside town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire. It had a population of 751 in 2001.[1] The present name of the village is taken from the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

History

St Florence dates back to Norman times, and remains of 16th and 17th century buildings still exist, with Flemish chimneys, characteristic of Pembrokeshire, in evidence, named after Flemish settlers in the region. The river Ritec was navigable by small vessels as far upstream as St Florence until the 19th century when it silted up as a result of local land reclamation. The village is a noted stop on the Tenby to Whitland section of the Cistercian Way owing to its historical significance.[2]

Geography

St Florence sits on The Ritec, a river that flows eastwards to its estuary in Tenby. East of St Florence on the north bank of the river is Ritec Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[3]

St Florence's Church

The 12th-century church dedicated to the Norman saint St Florence, restored in the 19th century,[2] is a grade II* listed building.[4] In the church is a memorial to Robert Ferrar,[2] the Protestant Bishop of St Davids, who was burned at the stake at Carmarthen during the reign of Mary in 1555.

Transport

Manorbier railway station is 1½ miles south-west of the village.

Sport and leisure activities

St Florence's football side were the Pembrokeshire Division 3 Cup champions of the season 2006/2007. The village hosts an annual Duck Race on the river at Easter for charity.[5]

To the north of the village on the B4318 is Manor House Wildlife Park.

References