Porthgain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Porthgain |
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 Porthgain Harbour |
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 Sea view |
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 Porthgain
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| Population | 897 |
| OS grid reference | SM813323 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAVERFORDWEST |
| Postcode district | SA62 |
| Dialling code | 01348 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Porthgain is a small, charming village located in the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language. It can mean fair or beautiful port. Another idea is that it means chisel port because of the many slate workers who used chisels there. Porthgain is found between the towns of St David's and Goodwick, just west of the village of Llanrhian.
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Porthgain's Industrial Past
Porthgain has many old buildings and structures that show its history. It was once a very busy industrial harbour in the early 1900s.
How Porthgain Harbour Grew
Long ago, the harbour was used to send out slate. This slate came from quarries a few miles south, like Abereiddi and Trwynllwyd. There was even a quarry right in Porthgain. A special tramway, called the Porthgain Railway, connected Abereiddi and the other quarries to the harbour. Water-powered mills in Porthgain helped cut the large slate slabs before they were shipped away.
From Slate to Roadstone
Later, the slate business stopped. But Porthgain found new ways to stay busy. It started making bricks. After that, it began crushing stones for roads.
You can still see large brick hoppers dominating the harbour. These tall structures were used to store crushed dolerite. Dolerite is a type of rock used for roads. Today, these hoppers are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means they are protected because they are important historical sites.
- From 1850 to 1910, slate was handled through the harbour.
- From 1889 to 1912, bricks were made using waste materials from the slate work.
- From 1889 to 1931, crushed dolerite was shipped out for use as road stone.
In the 1980s, Porthgain became a special conservation area. Local people and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority bought the old industrial buildings and land. This helped protect the village's unique history.
Exploring Porthgain Today
Today, Porthgain is a popular spot for visitors. It still has a working harbour where local fishermen keep their boats.
Fun Things to Do
The harbour can get very busy in the summer. Many people enjoy boating here. You can even buy fresh crab and lobster caught by local fishermen. Just look for "The red house" across from the road into Porthgain.
- Walking Trails: The famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path goes right through Porthgain. You can enjoy amazing walks along the coastline.
- Local Bus: The "Strumble Shuttle" bus helps visitors get around the area easily.
- The Sloop Pub: This historic pub used to be called the "Step In." Boats could dock right next to it, and crews could simply "step in" for a drink!
- The Shed Bistro: This small restaurant is located by the Quay. It's a great place to grab a bite to eat.
- Harbour Lights Gallery: This art gallery is found in what used to be the manager's office of the old industrial works.
- Kayak Adventures: The Porthgain Kayak Club offers exciting trips from the harbour during the summer months.
Famous People from Porthgain
- Sir George Ruthven Le Hunte (1852–1925) was born in Porthgain. He was an important politician. A politician is someone who works in government. Sir George was the Governor of South Australia from 1903 to 1909. A Governor is a leader who manages a region or state.
