Treffgarne: Gorge, Fishing and History

Treffgarne combines a deep, wooded gorge with archaeological and architectural history, as well as a connection to fishing. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, your main interests can help you decide whether Treffgarne is the right destination for you: are you primarily interested in the landscape, fishing or local history? Each of these interests has specific points of interest that offer a different way to explore Treffgarne.

Gorge, river and protected area

Treffgarne Gorge is a deep, wooded gorge through which the Western Cleddau flows. The railway line runs alongside the gorge. The river and railway thus have two different relationships with the same landscape: the Cleddau flows through the gorge, while the railway follows its course. Treffgarne Gorge and Tors is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Unlike the river and railway, this designation classifies the area from a conservation perspective.

Fishing in the wooded gorge

Fishing is also closely associated with the gorge: the upper fishing beat runs mostly through the wooded Treffgarne Gorge. The fishing centre in Treffgarne has a purpose-built fishing pool and fishing platform for anglers with disabilities. Check the availability of both facilities before travelling. The fishing centre above Treffgarne also has a comfortable log cabin serving as a fishing lodge.

Comparing archaeological forms

Two archaeological enclosures illustrate different basic shapes. Great Treffgarne Rocks is oval and measures about 80 by 50 metres. Little Treffgarne Wood Camp is roughly circular, with a diameter of about 50 metres. The measurements can therefore be interpreted differently: for Great, two dimensions describe the oval layout, while for Little, the diameter captures its roughly circular shape. This makes the difference between the layouts clear through their respective measurements.

Church, lodge and local history

St Michael in Treffgarne is a small church with two cells. Treffgarne Lodge is the lodge of Treffgarne Hall; it was built around 1840 in a simple Georgian Gothic style. The two buildings can be classified by different features: for St Michael, size and its two-cell plan are the main points, while for the lodge, these are its date of construction, its relationship to Treffgarne Hall and its style. Treffgarne was also the birthplace of the Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr. This biographical connection broadens the perspective beyond the individual buildings and adds local history to the architecture.

Planning your trip

For your travel plans, the difference between focusing on the landscape and focusing on history is clear: the gorge is defined by the river, railway and protected status, while the enclosures and buildings offer specific forms, measurements and architectural history. If you are looking for hotels, weigh up these themes according to the kind of stay you are planning.

Discover more destinations: Abercastle, Camrose, Angle, Manorbier, Narberth, Llandissilio, Letterston, Llandeloy.

View the wider travel guide: Pembrokeshire.