"the most pleasant point of Wales"
Giraldus Cambrensis
Manorbier is a village with a population of 665 (2001 census) located on the south coast of the county of Pembrokeshire in Wales some eight miles from the town of Tenby. The name Manorbier is a corruption of the Welsh "Maenorbyr" which itself comes from the Welsh "maenor" or manor and the name of the sixth century Saint Pyr.
Manorbier is noted for two things. Firstly there is a sandy bay with a
nice beach which is popular with both surfers and families. Secondly there is Manorbier castle which overlooks the bay. Originally built in the 12th century by the de Barri family, Manorbier Castle is remarkably well preserved having managed to escape any serious assaults over the centuries, although subsequent alterations have transformed it into something more akin to a fortified home. It remains in private hands to this day but is open to the public.
Manorbier's most famous son is the medieval author Gerald de Barri otherwise known as Giraldus Cambrensis or Gerald of Wales, born at the castle in 1146.
The Army Training Estate have a training facility on the cliff top nearby which is home to the Royal Artillery Range, Manorbier.
Table of References
- http://www.greatcastlesofwales.co.uk/manorbier.htm
- http://www.castlewales.com/manor.html
- www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/PEM/Manorbier/
- http://www.army.mod.uk/ate/public/castlemartin.htm