Treffgarne and Wolfscastle
Both Treffgarne and Wolfscastle are small villages mid way between Haverfordwest and Fishguard. Treffgarne is quite spread out without an identifiable centre, unlike Wolfscastle. Treffgarne is better known for Treffgarne Gorge and the Dartmoor like ‘tors’ that overlook it.
Treffgarne was the birthplace of Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr and is notable for its beautiful deep wooded gorge and rock outcrops. The Western Cleddau tumbles through the gorge alongside the railway line, the building of which defeated Brunel and practically bankrupted the Great Western Railway.
Picture: Fishing on the Western Cleddau at Treffgarne Gorge
There’s an hotel and an Inn in Wolfscastle. The nearest B&B’s, guesthouses, camp sites or touring caravan sites would be nearer to coast or in Fishguard or Haverfordwest.
There are a number of facilities in and around Treffgarne that are of interest to visitors.
Nant Y Coy Mill
Nant Y Coy is at the north end of Treffgarne Gorge, next to the cutting that was made for the A40, through the gorge. The age of the mill isn’t known but it was rebuilt in 1844 by the Evans family of Treffgarne Hall. Nant y Coy Mill stayed in their possession for many years before it passed to the Higgons family of Scotton Manor and then into private hands some years later.
Picture: Nant Y Coy Mill between Treffgarne Gorge and Wolfscastle
Recently renovated, the Mill wheel now turns once more. The building has a gallery, a fully licensed Cafe offering simple tasty fresh light lunches with vegetarian options. There’s also a craft shop and nature trail. A lane just south of the mill heads up hill to a small parking are below
Treffgarne Fort.
This fort enjoys a dramatic setting, incorporating the rocky outcrops above Treffgarne Gorge into its defensive system of banks and ditches. The well-preserved inner rampart reaches nearly 4m high in places. This impressive fortress seems to have been at the centre of an extensive system of Iron Age settlements. Traces of roundhouses have been discovered nearby, and the circular earthworks of a number of smaller defended farmsteads can be seen on both sides of the gorge.
There’s a fishing centre in the gorge run by the Pembrokeshire Anglers Association, which includes a superb purpose-built pool an fishing platform especially built for disabled anglers. It has easy vehicular access and picnic facilities.
Wolfscastle
Wolfscastle gets its name from the motte and bailey castle erected by the Normans on what is called the Landsker Line. This was a line of forts stretching from Roch near Newgale to Amroth and was a dividing line between The Normans and The Welsh in the north. Part of the Bailey is cut through by the A40 but some of it remains and have recently been cleared and opened to the public.
Wolfscastle Pottery
Wolfscastle pottery can be found on the west side of the village. A stimulating fun place to visit where you can throw your own pots on the wheel or model by hand with as much help as you need. When dry, paint them with bright glazes. There’s also a showroom where you can buy their own pottery.