Nevern
Nevern is an enchanting and picturesque village situated on the banks of the river Nevern (Nyfer) and its tributary the Gamman. The grouping of church, vicarage, school, bridge and Inn and the fields and paddocks are essentially part of the original Norman settlement" Nevern is most famous for St Brynach's Church which was founded in the 5th Century. An avenue of 700 year old yew trees lead you through the churchyard, one of them is the famous bleeding yew tree for which various legends exist; some say it bleeds for the wrongful hanging of a young man many years ago, others say it will bleed until there is a Welsh prince on the seat at Nevern Castle and another legend says it will bleed until the world is at peace.
There is also a magnificent 10th or 11th Century Celtic cross which stands a tremendous 13ft (4m) high and is acknowledged as one of the finest in existence. The first cuckoo of the year is expected to land on the Celtic cross on St Brynach's Day (7th April) each year and sing its song for all to bear witness to its arrival; in 2006 the cuckoo was heard - by more than one person - as early as the end of January!
The Pilgrims used to visit Nevern on their way to St Davids Cathedral, just above the village on the footpath which leads to Newport there is a cross marking their way carved in relief high on a slate bank. Originally a place to stop and pray you will now find that people treat it as a place to pay and push coins into the cracks in the wall.
Nevern Castle is a motte and bailey earthwork which to the uninitiated looks just like a grassy mound, it is in fact of huge interest to many and makes a great place for a picnic.
The river Nevern is well known for its good fishing with Salmon, Brown Trout and the superb Sea Trout - known locally as Sewin. Day fishing permits are available from the Trewern Arms which is the village pub and restaurant or from Mr V Owen Nevern Angling Society Chairman on 01239-820365.
The local Inn is the Trewern Arms and it is here that the hungry traveller / pilgrim or fisherman can have a meal either in the bar or in the restaurant, both of which serve good food. After lunch at the pub you could take a walk, through the valley either to the next village of Felindre Farchog and the Salutation Inn or a walk right over to the beach at Newport Sands. Details of these walks (and many more) can be found on the National Parks website.
Every August Nevern hosts it own Agricultural and Horticultural show (usually the second Wednesday) it is a small and friendly show with a very happy and homely feel. You will find local people showing their cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and vintage tractors and machinery. The horticultural tent displays everything form cookery to home-brew and crafts to photography - the competition is keen and the friendly rivalry strong - all of which comes to a happy end in the beer tent.
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