Priors and Pilgrims Trail / Llwybr Prioriaid A Phererinion
The Priors and Pilgrims South West Pembrokeshire Heritage Trail is a trail that began life over 20 years ago. It was the inspiration of the late Mr Hugh Morgan and involved his hard work as well as that of his family and friends, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, academics from Swansea University, the Bishop of St David's, members of the Diocese of St David's, Pembroke Castle and many other local people. The trail was started because "South West Pembrokeshire is blessed with a rich heritage which deserves to be better known and enjoyed" and it was designed to be "a pilgrimage of discovery and enjoyment".
It covers some of the most ancient and historic sites, incorporating the heritage and beauty of the South West Pembrokeshire area. There are Medieval Crosses, circular Churchyards, raths, Holy Wells and the hermit's cell of St Decuman. The trail covers centuries of history, including times of peace and disharmony and evidence of the civil war and the confrontations that took place at Pwllcrochan.
There are 26 locations on the trail and the ones in the area around Rhoscrowther are: No.3 Pwllcrochan St Mary's, No.4 Rhoscrowther St Decuman's, No.5 Angle St Mary's and No.6 Castlemartin St Michael and All Angels'. Other Priors and Pilgrims Churches and Chapels which are close to the Rhoscrowther area are: No.7 Warren St Mary's, No.8 Flimston St Martin's, No.9 St Twynnells St Gwynog's, No.11 St Petrox St Petrox's and No.13 St Govan's Chapel.
Pwllcrochan St Mary's: This Grade II* listed Church is in a beautiful setting and near the secluded beach of Martin's Haven. Pwllcrochan Church was owned by the Benedictines of Monkton Priory in Pembroke. The churchyard was the site of a conflict that took place during the civil war and lead by Oliver Cromwell's men in 1648. The Church's North transept is dated to 1342 and there is a Latin inscription on the corner of the outside wall of the Church bearing the same date. There was a chapel here dedicated to St Decuman, who was born in nearby Rhoscrowther. Close to the Church is the Grade II listed former national school building, which was built in 1861. Please see the heritage page to read more about Pwllcrochan Church and churchyard.
Rhoscrowther St Decuman's: In the early 10th Century St Decuman's Church was one of the 7 most important Churches in Dyfed and had an Abbot in charge. In its picturesque and peaceful setting you feel a world away from modern life. As you look around the Churchyard you will notice the base and shaft of a Medieval Cross. If you walk around the back of the church to the Southern, oldest part of the Churchyard this is an area of graves that date back to at least 1589, although many of the headstones are no longer visible. From this area of the Churchyard you can look up at the impressive and substantial Pembrokeshire tower and, in spring and summertime, you can overlook a magnificent carpet of rare and beautiful wildflowers, which are spectacular in the early morning as
you look towards the sun rising in the East. (Please see the pages on St Decuman's Church and Friends of St Decuman to read more about this.
Angle St Mary's: Situated in the conservation area of Angle, this Grade II listed Church is medieval in origin and shows some fine examples of Victorian stained glass. Angle had a connection with Giraldus Cambrensis, also known as Gerald of Wales, who was born in 1146 at Manobier Castle near Pembroke. He was the rector of Angle where he held the living of Angle amongst others. To the South of the Church in the churchyard there is a Grade II listed preaching cross and together with the Church and St Anthony's Seaman's Chapel this forms part of a grouping of listed structures. St Anthony's Chapel is to the North of the church and is a Grade I listed Seaman's Chapel which was dedicated to St Anthony in 1447. The seaman's chapel was originally used as a charnel or a Chapel
of rest for those who lost their lives at sea. The chapel is a single room structure with a vaulted crypt below. Outside, to the West of the chapel, is a polished granite monument dedicated to those who lost their lives during the First World War on the Hirano Maru, a Japanese merchant ocean liner that was sunk on the 4th of October 1918, with the loss of 300 lives. Some of
those who lost their lives in this disaster were found on the shore in the Angle area and were laid to rest in the churchyard. This monument, which replaced the original wooden monument, was unveiled by the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Richard the Duke of Gloucester on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship in 2018.
Castlemartin St Michael and All Angels: The picturesque setting of this Grade I listed Church is popular with artists. It is a medieval church that is of considerable importance and has a Norman font with unusual tower stairs which are set within the wall thickness. Within the churchyard there are the remains of a Grade II* listed vicarage which is based on parts of a medieval structure. This building was also used as a school in the mid-1800s and it has several carved faces on the walls. By the church gates there is also a Grade II listed mounting platform that was still used until the 1920s and forms part of a grouping with the Church and the vicarage. If you feel like a longer pilgrimage of discovery there is a footpath from St Michael's churchyard which takes you through the National Park and down across the valley over Castlemartin Corse towards Rhoscrowther.
Click here to download the original Priors and Pilgrims leaflet.