Cwm-yr-Eglwys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cwm-yr-Eglwys |
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 The Church of St Brynach ruins Cwm-yr-Eglwys |
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 Cwm-yr-Eglwys
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| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
Cwm-yr-Eglwys (which means Valley of the Church in English) is a tiny village, also known as a hamlet. It is located in a beautiful cove on the eastern side of the Dinas Island peninsula in southwest Wales. You can find it between the towns of Fishguard and Newport, Pembrokeshire. Only about 10 people live here all the time, but there are 27 homes and a small caravan park for visitors.
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Fun at Cwm-yr-Eglwys Beach
The beach at Cwm-yr-Eglwys is a great place to visit! It has won special awards like the Seaside Award and the Green Coast Award. These are similar to the famous Blue Flag beach award, but they are given to more natural, rural beaches that are safe for swimming.
You can launch small boats from a narrow slipway. There is also some parking available (though you might need to pay at certain times) and a public toilet. If you have a dog, they are welcome on the beach too! Many people enjoy staying in the holiday cottages here.
Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
From the beach, you can easily get onto the famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path. This path goes all the way around to Pwllgwaelod, which is another pretty cove on the other side of the peninsula.
There is also a special, flat path that is about 1.25 miles long. It goes through a wooded valley and connects Cwm-yr-Eglwys directly to Pwllgwaelod. This path is great for everyone, including people using wheelchairs.
The Old Church of St. Brynach
The ruins of the church of St. Brynach are a very old and interesting part of Cwm-yr-Eglwys. This church was built on a very ancient holy site.
Over the years, the church was badly damaged by strong storms. In the 1850s, huge storms destroyed parts of the church and even damaged the graveyard. The biggest storm, known as the Royal Charter Storm, hit in October 1859. It ripped off the church roof and damaged the walls so much that the building had to be left empty.
Later, in 1880, most of what was left of the church was taken down, except for the west entrance wall. A new wall was built to protect the graveyard from the sea. Today, the church ruins are a popular spot for visitors and a peaceful public area.
Near the gate, you can see a small model of a "Cwm Trader." This was a type of coastal trading vessel that used to sail in these waters, carrying goods along the coast.
Cwm-yr-Eglwys Climate
Cwm-yr-Eglwys is special because it has its own unique weather, called a microclimate. It is protected from the strong winds, which means it's often a few degrees warmer and drier than other parts of the Pembrokeshire coast. This warm weather allows many beautiful trees and plants to grow, making the area look almost like the Mediterranean!
Annual Regatta and Fun Events
Every year, Cwm-yr-Eglwys hosts a very popular event: the Cwm-yr-Eglwys boat club reunion. For the first two weeks of August, people gather for exciting sailing events and regattas.
There's also a special in-shore regatta for families. This is a whole day of fun activities like swimming races, rowing races, and even sandcastle competitions! Kids can also enjoy regular in-shore diving competitions and other games.
Images for kids
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The Church of St Brynach ruins in Cwm-yr-Eglwys
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Pen-y-fan, 466 feet high, and the coves of Pwllgwaelod and Cwm-yr-Eglwys
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St Brynach's church before 1831, painted by Henry Gastineau
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An old picture postcard of Cwm-yr-Eglwys from around 1910
