Manorbier Castle

The coast road from Tenby continues to the holiday resort of Manorbier (pop. 1,100), surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. The medieval castle, (1275-1325) standing alone on a hill, paints a romantic picture. This was the birthplace in 1146 of Giraldus Cambrensis, one of the most brilliant thinkers of the Middle Ages, archdeacon of Brecon, protagonist of an independent Welsh Church, adviser on Irish affairs and excellent orator. He accompanied Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury on his tour of Wales to gain support for the Third Crusade. This journey gave rise to his best known work, the "Itinerary of Wales", in which he describes Manorbier as the most charming place in Wales.