Caldey Island.

Start. Caldey Island Jetty.

Route. Caldey Island Jetty - Island Centre (Tea Garden) - St Illytd's Church and Old Priory - Chapel Point - Red Berry Bay - Sandtop Bay - St Illytd's Church and Old Priory - Old Mill - Island Centre - Caldey Abbey - St David's Church - High Cliff - Den Point - Island Centre - Caldey Island Jetty.

Notes. “Caldey Island lies cradled in the magnificent South Pembrokeshire coastline on the western fringes of Wales. It is one of Britain's holy islands. The Cistercian monks of Caldey continue a tradition which began there in Celtic times. More than a thousand years of prayer and quiet living have made this remote and beautiful island a haven of tranquillity and peace. "The monks and islanders are pleased to welcome day-visitors to share the delights of their island home throughout the summer season". That is straight from the welcome page of the islands web site, it downplays the place terribly, I’m not a religious person but have been to a number of holy islands and there is something there, something different, something we’re missing from modern day life.

The only way to reach the island is by ferry from Tenby, no need to book they run regularly. You are asked to stick to official routes, this is a very private place, take note Priory Beach the beach next to the landing stage is the only beach on the island with public access.

A tarmac lane leads to the islands centre where we found, a Gift Shop, Perfume Shop, Tea Garden and Post Office, not to mention a number of religious buildings, the Abbey (no public access), Abbey Church and lovely St David’s Church and the island cemetery dating back to Norman times. We opted to ignore these attractions until later, following a small map we’d be given on the boat we headed out on the Lighthouse and West Cliff Walks.

We left the islands centre ascending a concrete drive, this guided us passed the fine Monastery, we wandered under mature trees between dry stone walls, to the right of some farm buildings and what turned out to be a chocolate factory, an old church with a wonkey spire, this is St Illytd’s Church and Old Priory, the oldest building on the island. After a long look round we headed west a grassy trod under foot, this obvious path looped round to access the lighthouse. Built above Chapel Point in 1829 to guide coastal shipping safely past St Gowans Shoals and the Helwick Sands.

From the lighthouse we continued following the coastal path, above The Flats we wandered, passed Red Berry Bay followed by a tumulus before reaching another arch of golden sand, Sandtop Bay. From this lovely strand we headed back through what looked like some old field systems to reach St Illytd’s once more. Rather than walk back down the concrete lane we opted for a footpath cutting through the woods, this meandered passed an old mill and mill pond and an old cottage before spitting us out onto the concrete track near the village centre.

We had lunch on the green overlooked by the fine white washed Abbey, visited the various shops and churches before wandering into the woods, this was billed as a woodland walk. I think we went wrong somewhere as we found ourselves above High Cliff overlooking Priory Bay and the seaside town of Tenby, on the far horizon the Gower Peninsula reached across the horizon, never the less the path looped round guiding us back to the green overlooked by the Abbey. Reluctantly it was time to leave, with a hint of sadness we made our way back to the landing stage, one thing for sure, we’ll be back.

view route map.

home.

Seen from the ferry the seafront properties of Tenby.

The beach at Priory Bay, the only strand on the island open to the public.

Tenby as seen from Priory Bay.

The oldest and most interesting building on Caldey Island, St Illytd's Church and Old Priory....

....the Priory was home to Benedictine monks who lived on the island in medieval times....

....the monastic buildings have been unoccupied since the Dissolution of the Monasteries, although the church is still a consecrated Roman Catholic Church.

Caldey Island Lighthouse guiding coastal traffic safely passed St Gowans Shoals and Helwick Sands since 1829.

In the cluster of farm buildings you will find, St Illytd's Church and Old Priory with it's wonky spire and the islands Chocolate Factory.

Sandstone cliffs and turquoise sea, Red Berry Bay.

Above Sandtop Bay looking to St Margaret's Island.

So many secret corners on this lovely island, the golden sand of Sandtop Bay.

Viewing Giltar Point across Caldey Sound.

Stunning views to Tenby on the Welsh mainland.

Looking back over the path just walked.

The Old Mill or what remains of it.

Just to prove it was a mill, there's a mill pond and mill stones laying in the undergrowth.

The Abbey Church.

St David's Church and the islands cemetery.

Sue strides out on a stunning woodland walk.

Enjoying the ambiance, wandering between curtains of mature trees.

View over Paul Jones Bay believed to be the hiding place of treasure, concealed by the 18th century pirate John Paul Jones. across the horizon, 14 miles distant the Gower Peninsula.

Gentle woodland gives way stunning seascapes.

Woodland paths guide us back.

In 1131 Caldey Island was donated to the Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Tiron in France. In 1536 the monks were expelled from the island and it was not until 1906 that an Anglican Benedictine brotherhood bought the island and erected the present monastery, and a stunning building it is.

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