Set at the foot of the beautiful Preseli Mountains in north Pembrokeshire, the villages of Crosswell and Brynberian are also just a short drive from the stunning coast of West Wales.

With plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding and water sports, as well as easy access to the larger towns of Crymych (around 4.5 miles), Cardigan (around 7 miles) and Haverfordwest (around 11 miles), it’s an increasingly popular choice for house hunters.

To discuss your property search and hear about the latest homes for sale in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire please get in touch with us. You can also read more about the other beautiful areas of West Wales in our location guides.

History

Surrounded by historic sites, many of which date back to prehistoric times, this region offers plenty of history to explore. Just south of Brynberian, you can take the short walk from the B4329 to see the ancient Waun Mawn standing stones and east of Crosswell the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, which dates back to Neolithic times.

Crosswell, whose Welsh name is Ffynnon-groes ( meaning well cross), is set on a junction of the B4329 (the former ‘great road’ between Cardigan and Haverfordwest) with several other smaller roads – which may explain its name. A small, stone bridge – called Pontgynon – crosses the River Nevern and has been here since at least the 17th century, although it has been rebuilt. Close to the bridge, there’s also a chapel, built in 1839 and rebuilt in 1882.

Brynberian was under Norman control in mediaeval times, from around 1100 until 1326. In 1690 an Independent Chapel was established (now a Grade II listed building) and the ancient bridge, which crosses Afon Brynerian, dates back to around 1600. More recently, in the 19th century, the village was home to a woollen factory and mill – reflecting the success West Wales saw from the woollen industry.

Tourism & Recreation

With its location so close to the Preseli Mountains, these villages offer numerous trails and bridleways to explore on foot, bike or horseback. Dotted across the area are prehistoric remains, Iron Age hill forts and Bronze Age remains of stone ramparts. On a clear day head to Foel Eryr where you can take in the 360-degree view across the sea to Ireland and to Snowdonia.

For keen equestrians the Crosswell Riding Stables is one of the best-known stables in the area, located at Ietwen (just outside Crosswell) and offers a choice of lessons, treks and stabling.

If you’re looking for a house for sale in Pembrokeshire, then part of the beauty of living in this area is that you’re also just a short drive from the spectacular coastlines of the Pembrokeshire Coast and Cardigan Bay. The closest beaches to these villages are in and around Newport – Newport North beach is long (five miles in length!) and sandy, or try Parrog, The Cwm, Aber-Rhigian, Aber Forest and Cwm-Yr-Eglwys.

With such a long stretch of coastline, it’s no surprise that water sports are readily available at many of the beaches. Surfing is particularly popular, with a choice of surf schools along the coast and surf shops in towns such as Cardigan and in the coastal resorts. Other water sports available include sailing, water skiing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, so take your pick! 

You can also try your hand at fishing – either from the rocks or by taking a boat out into Newport Bay, and keep a lookout for sea life such as dolphins, porpoises and seals that make their homes in the clean waters here.

For other sports, the closest town is Crymych where rugby players can join Crymych Rugby Club, with its senior, youth and junior teams, while for footballers there’s Crymych Football Club. Alternatively, head to Crymych’s Leisure Centre if you enjoy swimming or taking fitness classes.

If you prefer music and singing then Crymych has its own choir, which performs at festivals and events across the region. You can find out more on their Facebook page.

Other tourist attractions in the area include Castell Henllys Iron Age Village – the only Iron Age village in the UK – which gives an insight into life in Wales 2,000 years ago. A range of events here includes Roman re-enactments and hands-on workshops. The ruins of Nevern Castle are also nearby, where you can find out more about the castle and life here.

Finally, for a rainy day activity with kids try Merlins Magic Children’s Play Centre near Haverfordwest.

Shopping

The small villages of Crosswell and Brynberian don’t have village shops of their own, but in Crosswell, there is an upholstery specialist if you’re planning to update some furniture.

In the surrounding villages, you’ll find a wide range of independent shops, as well as big brand names in the towns of Cardigan and Haverfordwest. 

For grocery shopping you can choose from the Spar and Nisa Local in Crymych, or Rhoslyn Stores in Blaenffos (around 10 minutes away) – both offer a good selection of products, including fresh produce.

Elsewhere in Crymych, there’s Bwyd y Byd, a lovely health food shop, as well as a butcher, and Tŷ Bach Twt and Siop Siân for gift ideas and items for the home.

Newport (about 10 minutes away) also offers some great local shops. The Smoke Shed has delicious traditionally smoked and sustainably sourced salmon; Ffynnon sells some lovely items for the home; while just outside Newport, at Cilgwyn, you’ll find Pembrokeshire Stoves.

For larger food shops, high street names and more specialist shops, head to Cardigan or Haverfordwest. Cardigan has a Tesco, a larger Spar and an Aldi, as well as butchers, surf shops, hairdressers and more. There’s also the Grade II listed Guildhall Market, which has lots of independent stalls selling everything from antiques to textiles.

If you need a high street bank then Cardigan also has Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC.

In Haverfordwest, there’s a Morrisons, Lidl and a Tesco Extra for grocery shopping, while other stores here include clothes shops such as Hideout and Bonkers, gift shops such as the Sheep Shop and Pink Cat Shop, as well as a WH Smith and Peacocks.

Haverfordwest also has a choice of banks – Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds, as well as a Halifax and a Nationwide Building Society.

Eating & Drinking

Pembrokeshire, and all of West Wales, is gaining a growing reputation for fantastic local food and you’ll find everything from quality restaurants to traditional pubs and cosy cafes.

For a lovely, community-owned pub head to Tafarn Sinc at Rosebush (less than 15 minutes from these villages). Here you can enjoy a good choice of lagers, beers and ciders, as well as main meals and snacks, with local produce widely used.

To the north of Crosswell and Brynberian, at Felindre Farchog, is the historic Salutation Inn, which has a lovely riverside garden – the perfect place for a meal or a drink. The inn also has rooms available here if you are visiting the area to house hunt. Also close to Felindre Farchog is the Trewern Arms, a 16th-century inn with nine bedrooms and a riverside restaurant.

Elsewhere, try the Temple Bar Cafe and Farmshop, close to Nevern, which has daily specials such as mussels or pigeon, as well as selling a range of local food products.

There’s even more choice in Crymych, Newport, Cardigan and Haverfordwest. Popular places in Crymych are the Crymych Arms and Blasus; in Newport visit Pasta a Mano, a takeout pasta specialist set by the water, and Blas at Fronlas for fabulous coffee; while in Haverfordwest and Cardigan, you’ll find everything from fish and chips to pizzas and curries.

If ice cream is your weakness then don’t miss Mary’s Farmhouse at Fairfield, Crymych, where you’ll find delicious ice cream,  made locally and sold throughout Wales. 

Healthcare

The Preseli Practice provides a range of health services across its two sites – in Newport and in Crymych. As well as being able to register with a GP, you can also see practice nurses, with telephone consultations available if you prefer. The Crymych surgery is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.30pm, while the Newport surgery is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

The closest hospital is at Haverfordwest – the Withybush Hospital – or at Cardigan, there is the Integrated Care Centre.  

For prescriptions, Crymych has the E P Parry Pharmacy on Main Street which is open six days a week, while in Newport the Newport Pharmacy is on Market Street. Crymych also has an optician – Celia Vlismas.

There is also a choice of dentists in the area, with the closest dentists in Cardigan – the Cardigan Dental Practice or in Newport – Pembrokeshire Dental Care. Alternatively, try the Dew Street Dental Practice in Haverfordwest.

If you have animals then Priory Vets in Crymych has a good reputation.

Schools

For families moving to the area with children of primary school age then the closest schools will depend on where you live and are either at the nearby village of Eglwyswrw or in Newport or Crymych.

In Crymych, Ysgol Bro Preseli is a combined primary and secondary school, including a sixth form, which offers a bilingual curriculum and has a good range of sports such as rugby, football and athletics. 

In Cardigan, Coleg Ceredigion has an excellent range of full-time, part-time and online courses, as well as apprenticeships. Whether you’re looking for your child or yourself, you’ll find study options to develop new skills.

In Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire College is set in a modern building and offers further education for over 16s and adults. You can choose from A-levels, apprenticeships, degrees and part-time evening classes, with courses ranging from applied science to brickwork and carpentry. 

You might also be interested to find out more about Aberystwyth University, which is less than one and a half hours away from these villages. With an international reputation, this university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Finally, we would highly recommend Canolfan y Don at Aberporth School (around 20 minutes away) if your child has severe learning difficulties or autism. With a range of specialist facilities, the school welcomes pupils up to the age of 11. 

Transport

Part of the beauty of living in rural West Wales is the peace and quiet, but this does mean you won’t find lots of train stations and bus stops. A car is essential if you live here, with the closest bus stop at Eglwyswrw providing services to Newport, Cardigan and Fishguard on the T5 bus service. Nearby Crymych is also quite well connected with bus services to Cardigan and many other towns and villages in the area – you can read more here.

Around 25 minutes away is Fishguard Harbour station, which has train services to both Swansea and Cardiff – you can find out more about timings here. Alternatively, Haverfordwest also offers rail services, including to Manchester – you can check timings here.

For a quick trip to Ireland, Fishguard Harbour also has regular ferry services with Stena Line to Rosslare.

Find out more…

Cardigan Bay Properties is a specialist estate agent covering Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. With experience across West Wales, we’re here to help you find your perfect property. Below you’ll find a few more websites that may be of help in your research, or feel free to call us on 01239 562 500 and we’ll be happy to chat about what you’re looking for.

• Things to Do – Click Here
• Primary schools – Click Here
• Transport – Click Here and Here
• Property management and lettings – Click Here