Rotary Ramble
Wed, Mar 27th 2024 at 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Llantwit Major - Celtic Crosses and Coast Walk
Seven ramblers met at the Llantwit Major town hall car park in surprisingly dry weather to begin their walk. A short stroll down Burial Lane took us to St Illtud’s church, founded in 500 AD by the Welsh monk Illtud.
It is thought to be the first centre of learning in Britain and home to one of the finest collections of 9th and 10th Century Celtic stones in Wales. We were lucky that the vicar was about to take a service in the church and gave us a brief talk on the church and the Celtic stones.
From the church we made or way to the coast, passing the 13th Century Dovecote, a Grade II listed building built by the monks at the monastery with the doves and the pigeons being used as a source of food in winter.
The coast path was reached after about a mile and gave views of Exmoor and further along the path was a WWII pillbox. Here we were treated to a wonderful sight of a hovering falcon just above us.
Just a little further on we stood over Tresillian Bay which takes its name from Prince Sillian , rumoured to have kept court there in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Legend has it that the bay contains many hidden passages and tunnels which smugglers and pirates once used.
We turned inland at a stone stile just passed the pillbox to reach an 8-step stile and continued to follow the field boundaries to reach the road which took us back into the town.
With our appetites whetted by a very interesting and enjoyable walk, we adjourned to the White Hart Inn where we all enjoyed a fine meal and refreshments.
