Strumble Head

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Strumble Head, Ynys Meicel, Ynys Onnen and Lighthouse at sunset
Strumble Head lighthouse, looking across Carreg Onnen Bay. The island to the left of the lighthouse is Ynys Onnen (Ash Tree Island).

Strumble Head is a rocky headland in the parish of Pencaer in north Pembrokeshire. It lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park the coastline making part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a long-distance trail of 186 miles. Views extend eastwards towards Dinas Head and Cardigan Bay, and westwards to the Irish Sea.

Three islands are off the head: Ynys Meicel (112 feet) and Ynys and Carreg Onnen.

It gives its name to Strumble Head Lighthouse (on the island of Ynys Meicel) and Strumble VOR, a way point in many trans-atlantic flights.[1]

It comprises part of the Strumble Head - Llechdafad Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Strumble Head is one of the best sites in Britain to view cetaceans, particularly the porpoise which can be spotted in the tidal races around the headland with modest binoculars. Public cetacean watches are frequently organized by Sea Trust.[2] Seals can often be spotted in the waters beneath the light house. A wartime lookout post was converted for use by the public as a shelter from the wind for wildlife fans and was opened by Bill Oddie.

The headland has been the site of numerous ship wrecks. A French shipwreck, possibly from the last invasion of Britain, was found nearby in 2003.[3] The Bardse of the Pile of Fowdrey was wrecked off Strumble Head on 3 October 1763 laden with a cargo of iron and copper from Wicklow bound for Chepstow under its Master, John Kennel.[4] Another notable wreck was the barque Calburga in 1915, one of Canada's last square rigged sailing ships.

References

Outside links

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