CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. FISHGUARD PEMBROKESHIRE: LAND OF LEGENDS Home / About the National Park / Culture and Heritage / Land of Legends / Fishguard SHARE THIS Now a major ferry port and gateway to Pembrokeshire, Fishguard was the site of the ‘Last Invasion of Britain’ more than 200 years ago. THE LAST INVASION A story of how one local woman armed with a pitchfork single-handedly saved Fishguard from French invaders. Audio Player 00:00 00:00 Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. More than 200 years ago, at the time of the French Revolution, while Napoleon Bonaparte was busy conquering in central Europe, the French government decided they could also do some conquering somewhat nearer to home. So they came up with a cunning plan! Without knowing too much about British feelings at the time, they thought the poor country folk of Britain would be pleased to welcome their French liberators. However things didn’t quite go according to plan. In the February of 1797, four warships set sail from France. Their ultimate aim was to land in Bristol. Instead, the Welsh winds blew them to the sheltered waters of Fishguard Bay where, frightened by cannon fire, they landed at nearby Llanwnda. Men, arms and gunpowder were unloaded, and the last invasion of Britain began. The men, however, were a ragtag bunch, with many newly released prisoners amongst them. Hardly had they begun on their mission than they forgot it and instead started to plunder the local farms, gorging themselves on the local food and getting drunk on beer and wine. Meanwhile, in nearby Fishguard, a large, tough woman called Jemima Nicholas, the wife of the local cobbler, heard news of the invasion and was outraged At once, she decided to take matters in to her own hands and she marched out to Llanwnda armed with nothing but a pitchfork. Single-handedly, she rounded up 12 French soldiers, marched them back to Fishguard and had them locked up inside St Mary’s church before marching back to look for more! Jemima Nicholas, or Jemima Fawr (Jemima the great) as she was also known, has won her place in history. Look for the memorial stone erected in 1897 near the entrance of St Mary’s churchyard in Fishguard, and the wooden sculpture in Scolton Manor woods. DOWNLOAD THE LAST INVASION AUDIO FILE DOWNLOAD FISHGUARD FORT WHEELCHAIR WALK MAP DOWNLOAD GOODWICK PARROG WEST WHEELCHAIR WALK DISCOVER MORE MYTHS AND LEGENDS ST GOVAN'S CHAPEL Tucked into the cliffs on the Castlemartin Range, St Govan’s Chapel is a great place to explore. READ MORE ON ST GOVAN'S CHAPEL CAREW CASTLE Once a home to lords and ladies, princesses and warriors, Carew is now home to ghost stories and rare bats. READ MORE ON CAREW CASTLE ST DAVIDS St Davids, the smallest city in Britain, and birthplace of the patron saint of Wales, has the perfect mix of history, culture, coast and countryside. READ MORE ON ST DAVIDS ROCH CASTLE Roch Castle, built by Norman knight Adam de Rupe, has historic royal connections. READ MORE ON ROCH CASTLE MILL BAY Mill Bay, a quiet cove on the Dale Peninsula, is a site of huge historical significance. READ MORE ON MILL BAY MILFORD HAVEN WATERWAY Explore the secret waterways of the Daugleddau Estuary, wooded valleys and rugged Preseli Hills. READ MORE ON MILFORD HAVEN WATERWAY MANORBIER With history, nature, and spectacular views, Manorbier has something for everyone. READ MORE ON MANORBIER PRESELI HILLS Enjoy the sense of freedom and the vast views from the heights of the Preseli Hills. READ MORE ON PRESELI HILLS BEDD MORRIS Enjoy the spectacular views from up on the common and decide why you think this standing stone was placed here. READ MORE ON BEDD MORRIS BRYNBERIAN Burial chambers, ancient woodland and stone cairns make this area of North Pembrokeshire a place of myth and mystery. READ MORE ON BRYNBERIAN 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