Nevern Village, Pembrokeshire

The village of Nevern

Tucked away in a valley alongside the River Nevern.

Nevern about 2 miles from Newport, to get there head east along the A487, at the first crossroads follow the signs and turn left and down hill for Nevern. Alternatively you can walk to Nevern from Newport along the newly opened Llwybr Pwll Cornel or Poachers Path which can be found just after the Iron Bridge en-route to Newport Sands. The footpath gate is on your right just a few yards beyond the bridge.

There is more than meets the eye to Nevern, hidden away from the small groups of houses are also Nevern Church, the remains of a motte and bailey castle, and a pilgrims cross carved into a rock face.

Nevern Church

Nevern is probably most famous for its Church. Named after St Brynach (possibly one of the original 7 bishops of Dyfed), the Church you see today is a Norman Construction and was built some time around the 1100′s. In the Church grounds are two striking stones.

The Celtic Cross is probably the one you will notice first due to its size and proximity to the Church yard path. This stone has been dated to around the 10th Century and has some fine examples of celtic knotwork carved into its almost human form.

A few meters away (towards the Church's main entrance) is the Vitalianus Stone which predates the Celtic Cross by some 900 years. There are various inscriptions in the stone, one being in Ogham writing.
To get to both stones and the Church you will first pass through an arch of Yew Trees, here you will find the famous bleeding yew of Nevern Church.

Nevern Castle

A short but steep walk from the Church will take you to the site of Nevern Castle, recently excavated it now has information boards and has much more to explore than the earth mound it used to be. Built in around 1100 by Robert Fitz Martin it was the original stronghold of the Normans in this part of Pembrokeshire. It was destroyed by 1140 when the Normans moved base to Newport, some 2 miles west.

This image is Crown copyright and is reproduced with the permission of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), under delegated authority from The Keeper of Public Records.

Pilgrims Cross

Returning to Nevern from the Castle, look out for a public footpath sign on your right. Just along this path you will find the Pilgrims Cross (again on your right). Quite difficult to spot initially, it is set just above head height on a rocky outcrop, look out for coins pushed into the cracks in the rocks and you will have found the site of the cross.

The cross is along part of the original Pilgrims path to St David’s and was probably a way marker to help the Pilgrims ensure that they were on the correct route. There is a legend that behind this rocky outcrop is a hidden cave that contains the remains of Merlin, King Arthur's Wizard.

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Nevern Village