Landscape and Cultural Heritage

Pembrokeshire is reported to have a greater variety of geological features and landform scenery than any equivalent area of the same size in the British Isles, and the varying character of the landscape from the north to the south of the county reflects the different respective settlement and land use practices over centuries.
Pembrokeshire is also home to the only predominantly coastal National Park in the UK – indeed, it was designated primarily on the strength of its spectacular coastline. It stretches in a 240 km ribbon around the majority of Pembrokeshire’s coastal strip, and includes the Daugleddau estuary and the Preseli Hills.
There are nine areas or sites in Pembrokeshire recorded as being of Outstanding or Special Historic Interest in Wales and a large number designated for having national or international importance. This includes seven Special Areas of Conservation, three Special Protection Areas, a Marine Nature Reserve, six National Nature Reserves and 75 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Around 40 % of the Pembrokeshire coastline (excluding the Milford Haven and Daugleddau) lies within Geological Conservation review sites. There are 50 sites within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
A few of the issues identified through topic group meetings on this subject were:

• There is a loss of/damage to marine archaeological resources through dredging, trawling, pipe laying etc.
• Natural processes, e.g. erosion, are causing loss of/damage to archaeological sites and material.
• Promontory forts are in danger of falling into sea.

This Topic Group was chaired by Jonathan Hughes from the National Trust. To download a full report in PDF format, including all the issues identified at the meetings, click here. If you would like the document in Welsh, please contact Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum on 01646 696174.

PLEASE NOTE THESE PAPERS WILL NEED REGULAR UPDATING TO REFLECT CHANGES TAKING PLACE AND THE EMERGENCE OF NEW INFORMATION SO ANY FEEDBACK ON THEIR CONTENT IS WELCOMED.