Moylegrove is a small unspoilt village where time has almost stood still. With a population of just a few hundred, it lies just a few miles north of Newport and South of St Dogmaels and Poppit Sands.
The village lies within the Pembrokeshire National Park, gaining a degree of protection from development, so remaining largely unchanged from decade to decade. Consisting mostly of traditional colour-washed cottages and houses it boasts two chapels and the church of St Andrews – all with regular services.
Planning a visit to this pretty little village? We’ve put together a quick guide to everything you can see and do in Moylegrove…
A day out to Moylegrove and the surrounding area
In the adjacent hamlet of Monnington, the church is now used only very occasionally. Moylegrove no longer has a pub, though there was a total of nine pubs in the village around the turn of the century.
The name of Moylegrove is said to date back to 1291, possibly originating from an early reference to Moylegrove Church as “Ecclesia de Grans Matildas” – “The Church of Matildas Grove”. Matilda was married to Robert Fitzmartin and gave part of her dowry to St Dogmaels abbey. Moylegrove’s name has evolved over the years becoming “Moldegrove” and later, during the reign of Henry 8th, “Moilegrove” – eventually evolving into the current “Moylegrove”.
From Moylegrove, there are several lanes leading to Ceibwr Bay, which was once a well-known smugglers cove. Ceibwr Bay is sheltered by rugged and dramatic cliffs. During the spring and summer, the clifftops turn pink, with the thrift that grows profusely covering the cliff faces almost to the water’s edge.
This truly is a dramatic stretch of coastline the “Witches Cauldron” (Pwll-y-Wrach) is well known, it is where a natural rock bowl has formed and the “Cauldron” is fed by the tide racing through an underground passage. The sides of the “Witches Cauldron” are almost sheer making this a fantastic sight – well worth a visit. For those who enjoy sea-fishing, it is a good spot for Bass, Mackerel and Pollack.
During the early 1980’s Moylegrove hit the headlines, with its most publicised smuggling activity ever, which the Police called “Operation Seal Bay”. A small almost inaccessible beach along the coast between Moylegrove and Newport was being used by an international drugs smuggling ring. A false underground cave had been constructed and was being used for the concealment of drugs which were shipped in by sea and later moved and distributed at the smuggler’s convenience.
Are there any historic landmarks?
There are a number of Iron Age forts in the area – Castell Treriffith overlooks Ceibwr Bay and was given to the National Trust by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas.
Llech y Dribedd is a pre-historic tomb situated in a field just some half a mile towards Newport from the centre of the village.
Within the Moylegrove area, farming is still considered the main industry. There is also quite a diverse range of small businesses in the locality. The village is proud of its connections with the local bus company, which started in the village.
Where can you grab a bite to eat?
The nearest places to grab a bite to eat at Moylegrove are the Penrallt Garden Centre or further afield at St Dogmaels or Newport.
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