Wolf's Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolf's Castle
|
|
|---|---|
 Congregational chapel, Wolf's Castle |
|
 Wolf's Castle
|
|
| Population | 642 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SM957267 |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAVERFORDWEST |
| Postcode district | SA62 |
| Dialling code | 01437 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Welsh Assembly |
|
Wolfscastle (Welsh: Casblaidd), also called Wolf's Castle, is a small village in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales. It is located between the towns of Haverfordwest and Fishguard. The village is also a "community," which is a local government area in Wales.
Contents
Exploring Wolfscastle's Location
Wolfscastle is actually made up of two smaller areas. There's Wolfscastle itself, which sits on top of a hill. Below it, in a river valley, is an area called Ford. You can still see the remains of an old motte and bailey castle in the upper village. This spot was chosen because it was a good place to defend, right at the northern end of the Treffgarne gorge.
The village is also where two rivers meet: the Western Cleddau and the Anghof rivers.
How to Get Around Wolfscastle
The main road, the A40 road, goes right through Wolfscastle. This road connects London all the way to Fishguard. It's the main way people travel to and from the village. There are also regular buses that connect Wolfscastle to bigger towns nearby.
A railway line also runs through Ford, connecting Swansea to Fishguard Harbour. Long ago, there was a train station here called Wolf's Castle Halt. People used it for travel and to load milk from local farms onto trains. However, this station closed in 1964. Today, trains still use the line, mainly for services connecting to ferries to Ireland or to other parts of Wales. The old station at Wolf's Castle has not reopened.
A Look into Wolfscastle's Past
Wolfscastle has a long and interesting history.
The Old Castle and Defenses
The castle remains you can see were part of a series of defenses built by the Normans after the year 1093. These defenses were known as the Landsker Line. This line helped mark the general border between the English-speaking south of Wales and the Welsh-speaking north.
Roman Connections
Archaeologists have found hints of a Romano-British villa near Wolfscastle. This suggests that the influence of the Roman Empire reached further west in Wales than people first thought. Experts are still looking into the exact location of this ancient Roman home.
Railway Development
The railway line that passes through Ford was opened in 1906. Before that, a different railway route existed, but it didn't come close to Wolfscastle. The new line made it easier for people and goods to travel to and from the area.
Legends and Local Stories
Wolfscastle is famous for some cool local legends!
The Last Wolf in Wales
One story says that Wolfscastle is the very place where the last wild wolf in Wales was killed. Imagine a time when wolves roamed these lands!
Owain Glyndŵr's Birthplace?
Another legend connects the area to Owain Glyndŵr, a famous Welsh hero. Some local folklore says he was born in 1353 in a nearby hamlet called Little Treffgarne. This is because his mother's family lived in that area.
A Vision of the Future
There's also a story about a local woman named Sarah Bevan, who was believed to have special powers. In the 1700s, she supposedly had a vision of the future. She described seeing a line of carts moving very fast through the Treffgarne gorge, with the first cart on fire. People believe this vision was a prophecy about the arrival of the railway and the steam locomotives, long before they were invented!
Life and Work in Wolfscastle
Wolfscastle is mostly a farming community because of its countryside location.
Local Businesses
Even though it's rural, the village has a few important businesses. There's the Wolfscastle Country Hotel, which is a nice place for visitors to stay. There's also a public house, called the Wolfe Inn, where people can gather.
Farming Life
Farming is a big part of the economy here. Farmers in Wolfscastle raise dairy cows, sheep, and beef cattle. You'll find several farms located within the village and its surrounding areas.
In the past, Wolfscastle also had other industries. There was slate quarrying nearby and roadstone quarrying in the Treffgarne gorge. The village also used to have its own post office. However, these businesses are no longer operating.
Wolfscastle Community Spirit
The people of Wolfscastle have a strong sense of community.
Places of Worship
There is a Welsh Independent chapel called Pen-y-Bont located near the river in Ford. Several churches can also be found in the area. These include St Margaret's in Wolfscastle itself, St Michael's in Treffgarne, and St Dogfael's at St Dogwells.
Community Activities
A community council meets every month in the village to discuss local matters. Every summer, the village hosts the Wolfscastle Festival week, which is a fun event for everyone. The community council also supports the village's yearly entry in the Wales in Bloom competition, where they try to make the village look its best with flowers and plants. Wolfscastle even won the Small Village Trophy in 2005!
The village also has a small primary school, built in 1834, which helps bring the community together.
Images for kids
-
Wolf's Castle motte, a type of castle mound
