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Mysterious Pembrokeshire: An unspoilt corner of south-west Wales, rich in heritage and ancient legends The county of Pembrokeshire is an enchanting and unspoilt corner of south-west Wales, rich in culture and heritage with a fascinating, often mysterious, past. The ancient Celts were the first to leave their mark with stone circles, crosses and burial chambers, or cromlechs, many of which can be seen today as lasting reminders of those times. Perhaps the best known is Pentre Ifan cromlech in the Preseli Hills to the north of Pembrokeshire; it was from here that the massive Bluestones were taken some 4,000 years ago and transported over land and sea to Stonehenge, near Salisbury in the south of England. Pembrokeshire also has an impressive array of historic sites such as St David's Cathedral which dates back to the Dark Ages. A mile or so from the sea, St David's is the smallest city in Britain. Because of its 200-mile long coastline, Pembrokeshire was always susceptible to invasion; as a result it has more than its fair share of protective castles and strongholds. The Normans in particular put up several fortresses back in the 11th century. Castles were later built on the sites many of which can be visited today including Carew with its stately riverside setting, Manorbier and Pembroke, birthplace of King Henry VII. In southern Pembrokeshire the picturesque coastal holiday resort of Tenby has medieval walls, cobbled streets and pretty harbour offering regular boat trips to the nearby island of Caldey, home to a community of Cistercian monks for several hundred years. Pembrokeshire was also the site of the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797; a tapestry in the fishing town of Fishguard in the north of the county commemorates the event. In addition, the region is well known for its stunning scenery and wealth of wildlife. Almost all of its spectacular shoreline is included within Britain's only coastal National Park, embracing miles of towering cliffs, smugglers' coves, award winning golden beaches, Atlantic surf and small villages with ancient harbours. For the more energetic, Pembrokeshire offers an enormous choice of activities from watersports, climbing and coasteering to cycling, riding, golf and fishing. Walkers will enjoy the 186-mile coast path, a demanding but very rewarding trail. High speed boat trips, as well as more gentle cruises, are also available to Pembrokeshire's many islands such as Skomer and Skokholm which are internationally renowned for their bird colonies and wild flowers. Further details and places to stay can be found in the new Pembrokeshire Visitor and Accommodation Guide. Free copies are available by telephoning 011 44 8705 103 103 or visiting www.pembrokeshire-holidays.com. Details of leisure activities and attractions can also be found on www.explorepembrokeshire.com. Images & Content courtesy of Pembrokeshire Visitor and Accommodation Guide

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