Clunderwen

Clunderwen

A large village that became established with the coming of the railway in the 1850s. The village lies on the A478 almost halfway between Tenby and Cardigan, making it a great place for exploring both north and south coasts of Pembrokeshire.

Clunderwen has a railway station and is well connected to Narberth and Cardigan via Pembrokeshire bus service 430

Before the railway arrives in 1851 there were no houses in the now centre of Clunderwen however by 1861 the village, known as Narberth Road, grew around the station. The railway continued to play a large role in the village’s life. Slate form local quarries livestock and foodstuffs were also shipped from the station.

In 1913 Howard and Herbert James built and flew one of the first aeroplanes in Wales on 25th September. The plane only reached about 60 feet off the ground and then flipped over.

However, they rebuilt it and on 22nd November 1913, they were more successful, but the plane crashed into the hedge on landing.

On 20th April 1914, they made their first successful flight over Narberth and Carmarthen, in their Caudron type bi-plane. When they reached Carmarthen they lost their map and had to follow the railway line back to Clunderwen!

The brothers planned to establish an aeroplane factory at Narberth, but unfortunately, the 1st World War broke out and they never achieved their ambition.

Attractions

Llys Y Fran Country Park and Llawhaden Castle are nearby, as is the Preseli Mountains

Food & drink

Clunderwen has two pubs, The Iron Duke and The Angel Inn as well as a well-stocked village shop

Accommodation

There are a few small campsites and caravan sites nearby. There are also one or two good B&Bs and hotels in the vicinity and in nearby Narberth. There are quite a number of good self-catering cottages in surrounding villages, including some cottages in Clunderwen itself. Search for accommodation.

I can highly recommend Pembrokeshire - it has everything for a great holiday!

Valery Collins, Experienced Traveller