In the late Bronze Age and the
Iron Age, small field systems were
being built to keep livestock
including sheep, cattle and pigs and
to grow crops such as emmer wheat.
Evidence of these field systems can
still be seen today on the slopes of
Carningli Mountain.
By the time of the Iron Age,
Castell Henllys was a thriving fort
from where a leader would have
ruled the surrounding area. The
landscape was settled and farmed
while the nearby woodlands would
have been managed in a sustainable
way. Oak and hazel were coppiced
for building houses, walls and
fences, and charcoal was produced
for the fires.
The fort itself was abandoned at
the end of the Iron Age. We don't
know why, although more numerous
and smaller settlements appear in
the landscape at this time, like the
one built in the shadow of the
ramparts at Castell Henllys.
The seat of local power was
moved at some time to nearby
Nevern. Here there is evidence of a
medieval castle built on much
earlier fortifications. This is where a
nobleman, the Lord Rhys of
Deheubarth, once lived. See page
15 to read about an excavation of
Nevern Castle from late June this
year.
Castell Henllys is one of many
Iron Age settlements that dot
the North Pembrokeshire
landscape.
However, these settlements sit in a
much older landscape shaped by the
activities of people from prehistoric
times to the present day.
Along the north bank of the River
Nevern estuary, below Newport,
evidence of Stone Age people can still
be found. As a Neolithic flint knapper
worked the stone to make tools and
weapons under the shadows of
Carningli Mountain, unwanted pieces
of flint were broken off and left. Eagle-
eyed walkers can still spot these
discarded flakes.
As the Neolithic Period began
about 6,000 years ago people were
beginning to farm the land and settle
into small homesteads. Later,
bluestones used to build the first circle
at Stonehenge were transported from
Carn Meini in the Preseli Hills to their
final resting place.
All around this landscape can be
found the burial monuments that these
people built to their dead, the most
famous of which is Pentre Ifan
Burial Chamber (pictured above) to
the east of Newport.
The profile of this impressive
burial chamber, whose capstone
mirrors the slope of Carningli
Mountain in the distance, is a
familiar, iconic image to the people
of Wales with the enormous,
tapering capstone sitting on the tips
of the upright stones. However,
when it was built it may have been
covered in a mound of stones and
earth and would have looked
completely different.
11
The ancient landscape
of North Pembrokeshire
The ancient landscape
of North PembrokeshireNational Park
Castell Henllys is owned and
managed by the Pembrokeshire
Coast National Park Authority
and is signposted off the A487
between Newport and
Cardigan.
For further details or school
bookings call 01239 891319
or email:
enquiries@castellhenllys.com
website: www.castellhenllys.com
Castell Henllys is open every day
between 10am and 5pm (last
ticket sold at 4.30pm) from April
to the end of October. Please
phone or see website for details
of our winter opening times.
Please phone for access details.
Castell Henllys hosts
over 200 events in
2009.
New this year are
Witches, Wolves and the
Wickerman;
a Celtic Fairy Tale;
an evening of tales and
songs from
Celtic Myth & Legend;
the re-enactment of the
story of `The Last Dragon
Born in Wales'
and a talk at Pentre Ifan
Burial Chamber.
For a full listing see our
Activities and Events
section on pages 20-23.
To the north of the spectacular Preseli Hills,
on a spur of land overlooking a small river
valley, sits the hill fort of Castell Henllys.
In the reconstructed roundhouses, built on their
original foundations, you can sit by the flickering fire
and listen to tales of Celtic life in the Iron Age, over
2,000 years ago.
Castell Henllys is owned and managed by
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. As well as
taking a tour of the hill fort, you can visit our award-
winning Education Centre and watch live images from
the fort and the meandering river, Nant Duad. In our
shop you can buy local, organic, recycled and Fairtrade
goods, as well as gifts, books and snacks.
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort
�EricLees
�AuroraImaginginfo@photowales.com
One of Pembrokeshire's favourite restaurants recommended in The Good Food Guide
and The Good Hotel Guide. Noted for imaginative cuisine � including seafood and
vegetarian specialities. Friendly family business. Closed Tuesdays.
ACCOMMODATION � 5 EN-SUITE BEDROOMS � VISIT WALES #### RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS
Cnapan
East Street, Newport,
Pembrokeshire SA42 OSY
www.cnapan.co.uk
BOOKING ADVISABLE 01239 820575
Restaurant
Pembrokeshire Learning Festival 2009
Do you fancy learning something new? If so, visit the National Park
stall at the Learning Market in Riverside Market, Haverfordwest, on
Saturday May 9th. From 10am to 3pm, there'll be chance to speak to
one of our officers, book onto a course or sign up to take part in one
of our taster sessions at Oriel y Parc. The market is part of Adult
Learner's Week 2009 and co-ordindated by PAVS (Pembrokeshire
Association of Voluntary Services).
For more information on the market call Louise Wilkinson on
01437 769422.
Main Street Music, 77 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4DB � Tel: 01646 621729
Web: www.mainstreetmusic.org.uk � email: info@mainstreetmusic.org.uk
Did you know?
On a clear day in the
Preseli Hills you can see as
far as the Lleyn peninsula
in north Wales and the
Wicklow hills in Ireland.
cyber caf�, gift shop, coffee shop, soft play area for under fives,
tourist information centre
www.visitpembrokeshire.com
Carnedd Meibion-Owen, Preseli Hills

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16Page 17Page 18Page 19Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 23Page 24Page 25Page 26Page 27Page 28Page 29Page 30Page 31Page 32Page 33Page 34Page 35Page 36Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 40Page 41Page 42Page 43Page 44Page 45Page 46Page 47Page 48 Produced by PageSuite