Strumble Head facts for kids
Strumble Head (which is called Pen Strwmbl in Welsh) is a rocky piece of land that sticks out into the sea in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It's part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This special place marks the southern edge of Cardigan Bay.
Off the coast of Strumble Head, there are three small islands. Their names are Ynys Meicel, Ynys Onnen, and Carreg Onnen. One of these islands, Ynys Meicel, is home to a famous lighthouse.
Amazing Wildlife
Strumble Head is a fantastic spot to see different kinds of wildlife. It's part of a protected area called the Strumble Head - Llechdafad Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's very important for nature.
You can often spot marine mammals here, like porpoises. These amazing creatures can be seen swimming in the fast-moving water around the headland. If you have binoculars, you might get an even better view! Local groups like the Sea Trust often hold special events to help people watch these animals.
Seals are also common visitors to the waters around Strumble Head. They can often be seen playing or resting on the rocks. A old wartime lookout post has even been turned into a shelter for people who love watching wildlife. It was opened by a famous birdwatcher, Bill Oddie, in 1988.
Besides marine animals, Strumble Head is also a great place to watch birds. Many different types of birds fly past here during their long journeys. This is especially true from late July all the way through November.
Shipwrecks and History
The waters around Strumble Head have a long history, especially with ships. Many ships have been wrecked along this coast over the years.
In 2003, divers found a French shipwreck nearby. Some people think it might be from a famous event called the battle of Fishguard. Another ship, the Bardse, sank off Strumble Head in 1763. It was carrying iron and copper when it went down.
In 1915, a large sailing ship called the Calburga was lost here. It was one of Canada's last big sailing ships. Luckily, the crew were able to get to safety in their lifeboat. Parts of the wreckage can still be found off the coast, about 1500 meters southwest of the lighthouse.
Strumble Head gives its name to the famous Strumble Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse stands on the small island of Ynys Meicel. It helps guide ships safely past the rocky coast.
The headland is also important for airplanes! There's a special navigation point here called Strumble VOR. This point helps many planes flying across the Atlantic Ocean stay on course.
