Nestled in the historic City of St Davids, Penrhiw Priory is a Victorian vicarage that offers an enchanting escape. Penrhiw, meaning “top of the hill,” provides breathtaking views overlooking the grounds and the stunning St Davids Peninsula. Its tranquil setting is complemented by the historic Pilgrims Way, which traverses the valley alongside the priory.
Penrhiw Priory’s history dates back to the 14th century, originally serving as one of the three Bishopric farms of St Davids. The priory itself, like the magnificent cathedral, is constructed from Caerbwdi sandstone, with parts of the cathedral scavenged to build the kitchen and service block. This block was once a 14th-century longhouse farm building, with its lower floor housing animals and the raised floor for human inhabitants.
On the northern boundary of the priory lie two millponds. The upper millpond was historically used for breeding fish, while the lower pond provided a fishing ground for mature stock ready for the table.
Penrhiw Priory’s connection to the surrounding landscape is profound. The valley slopes are adorned with thorn trees believed to be over 200 years old, and a badger sett from the 1750s is still present today. While the land is no longer farmed, it is managed primarily for recreation and wildlife, providing a haven for a rich variety of plants, birds, bees and butterflies.
A stroll around Penrhiw’s wildflower meadow on a sunny summer day is a wildlife experience not to be missed. This meadow, seeded by nuns in the 1960s, mimics traditional hay meadow management and boasts over 200 species of wild plants.
Here, you can find flowers typical of traditional hay meadows, such as the yellow pea-like Bird’s-foot Trefoil, the purple thistle-like Black Knapweed, and the cheerful white Oxeye Daisy. Many plants found here have traditional medicinal uses.
On warm sunny days, the meadow is alive with butterflies like the Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Copper and Common Blue. Speckled Wood butterflies prefer the shady woodland edge, and many species use the meadow plants for laying their eggs. The nocturnal visitors to the meadow include Barn Owls, foxes and a variety of bat species. Pembrokeshire is home to internationally important populations of Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats, and six different bat species have been recorded within 500 meters of Penrhiw.
Entering the wooded valley through a sunken track, visitors are greeted by a carpet of woodland flowers in spring, including Bluebells and the intriguing Enchanters Nightshade. The woodland is also home to various ferns and bird species, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The dawn chorus here is a symphony of bird songs, with Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, and the secretive Wren all contributing to the natural orchestra.
The woodland, predominantly Sycamore, also features diverse trees like Horse Chestnut, Oak, Beech, Ash and Yew. The evergreen Yew tree’s highly toxic seed supports wildlife, such as Blackbirds and Greenfinches, who feed on its berries.
The more manicured Victorian garden blends seamlessly with the wooded area, offering a habitat for pollinators like bees and hoverflies. Lavender is a hotspot for Bumblebees, including the Common Carder Bee, Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, White-Tailed Bumblebee, and Red-Tailed Bumblebee. Hedgehogs have significantly declined in numbers and are also found near Penrhiw, thriving in this pesticide-free environment.
