Clynderwen: Discover Local History and Walking Routes

Clynderwen lies on the A478, roughly halfway between Tenby and Cardigan. From Clunderwen, you can explore both the north and south coasts of Pembrokeshire. This gives your trip a choice of different focuses: local and transport history, walks, and exploring the Pembrokeshire coast. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay with Clynderwen as your destination, these interests can help shape your trip.

Transport History and Local Development

At Clunderwen, the railway crossed the main road between Tenby and Cardigan. The railway is also part of the development of the town centre: before its arrival in 1851, there were no houses in what is now the town centre. By 1861, the village known as Narberth Road had grown up around the station. This timeline makes the railway a tangible point of reference for local history.

A section of the Via Julia runs south of Clunderwen. There, the Roman route is partly overlaid by a post-medieval road. The course of the road thus points to two different historical periods, without needing to combine them into a single route.

Churches and Regional History

St David’s Church lies on the western edge of Clynderwen and can be reached from the A478, which runs through the town, via a narrow lane. Castell Dwyran Church also offers a historical point of interest: its original church is said to date from the 13th century. The Voteporix Stone was found at Castell Dwyran Church; today it is kept at Carmarthenshire Museum in Abergwili. Its discovery site and its current place of safekeeping are thus two different stages in its history.

Nearby Clunderwen is Rhydwilym Baptist Church. It was built in 1701 and rebuilt in 1763, 1841 and 1875. Gilfach Quarry is also associated with a history passed down with some qualification: it may date back to the 16th century. Slate from the quarry is said to have been used for roofing in the 1830s reconstruction of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Both claims retain their respective qualifications: the quarry’s date is possible, while the slate’s use is reported.

Walks and Routes

The walks differ in length and route, among other things. A 1-mile countryside walk starts at the station, crosses open farmland to Blaenwaun, and returns to the village along a quiet country lane. A 2.5-mile walk goes through the village towards Clynderwen House and returns along quiet country lanes. You can choose a shorter or longer route and get to know different parts of the surrounding area.

The Clunderwen Station Walk – Village Circular passes through woodland, uses boardwalks and footbridges, and offers views of the Preseli Hills. Walkers can also take a quiet road from Clunderwen to Pen Lan Farm near Gelli and from there join the Landsker Borderlands Trail. The circular walk passes through woodland and over boardwalks and footbridges; access to the Landsker Borderlands Trail is via Pen Lan Farm near Gelli.

Aviation History in Two Dates

Aviation history is also part of the local story. Howard and Herbert James built and flew one of the first aeroplanes in Wales in 1913. On 20 April 1914, they completed their first successful flight over Narberth and Carmarthen in a Caudron biplane. The dates mark two different steps: the building and flight of an early aeroplane in 1913, and the dated successful flight of the biplane the following year.

Discover more destinations: Letterston, Clarbeston, Llangwm, Llanfyrnach, Castlemartin, Boncath, Fishguard, Tenby

For the main travel overview: Pembrokeshire.