CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. CULTURE AND HERITAGE Home / About the National Park / Culture and Heritage SHARE THIS Pembrokeshire has a rich and diverse culture which has been shaped down the centuries by waves of invaders and settlers. Before the Norman Conquest, the whole area was Welsh speaking and ruled by Celtic chieftains. Entertainment was provided by bards who wandered from court to court recounting folk tales. These legends were later collected as The Mabinogion. During the Age of the Saints the county was home to a number of important Christian figures, most notably St David, who became the patron saint of Wales. After his death, his shrine attracted pilgrims from far and wide and eventually became the site of St David’s Cathedral. SHRINE OF ST DAVID The Norman Conquest created a divide of the county which still remains today. The native Welsh speakers were driven into the wilder areas of the north, while the south was repopulated with settlers from Flanders and Wessex. South Pembrokeshire became known as ‘Little England beyond Wales’, while the more rural north of the county became a stronghold of the Welsh language and culture, although the linguistic line between north and south is far less clear cut today. The melting pot of cultural influences is exemplified by the place names seen across Pembrokeshire. As well as being home to many Welsh speakers, the county also boasts a unique Pembrokeshire English dialect, which originated in the south of the county and can still be heard today. MORE ON THE NATIONAL PARK'S CULTURE AND HERITAGE LAND OF LEGENDS Discover some of the legendary tales that have links with Pembrokeshire READ MORE ON LAND OF LEGENDS STORIES FROM THE RIVER Listen to stories of how the Cleddau Rivers have helped shape the Pembrokeshire landscape and the lives of people who lived nearby. READ MORE ON STORIES FROM THE RIVER PEMBROKESHIRE SAINTS Pembrokeshire is blessed with a number of early saints such as St David, St Teilo, St Justinian, St Ishmael, St Brynach and St Caradog and with them c... READ MORE ON PEMBROKESHIRE SAINTS PEMBROKESHIRE ENGLISH While new settlers colonised South Pembrokeshire, plying their trades, setting up towns and villages and enclosing fields, the native Welsh remained i... READ MORE ON PEMBROKESHIRE ENGLISH PLACE NAMES How many years have you been driving past the signs on the outskirts of your town or village not knowing what the name means? Many of our Pembrokeshir... READ MORE ON PLACE NAMES GET IN TOUCH Contact us and register your details to get the latest updates on what's happening in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. CONTACT US National Park Office Llanion Park Pembroke Dock Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY Tel: 01646 624800 Email: info@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk VISITING Plan your visit Access for All Carew Castle and Tidal Mill Castell Henllys Iron Age Village Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre QUICK LINKS About the National Park Authority About the National Park Planning Contact Us News Jobs Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie Policy Sitemap © 2021 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Cookie settingsACCEPT