The Golden Road is a striking upland area in Pembrokeshire, forming a relatively unexplored and beautiful part of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It is a significant place for Welsh folklore. One legend describes King Arthur hunting the mythical boar, the Twrch Trwyth, on the slopes of Mynydd Preseli. This tale claims one battle with the Twrch Trwyth took place in Cwm Cerwyn, where the mighty boar killed four of Arthur’s warriors. Cwm Cerwyn is not far from Bedd Arthur, or Arthur’s Grave, locally believed to be the burial place of King Arthur.
The Golden Road is also a land of radicals. In the mid-1800s, the people of the villages surrounding the Golden Road, called Rebecca Rioters, protested against the unfair payment of tolls to use local roads. Others successfully campaigned against the War Office’s proposals to close off 58,000 acres of land, nearly the whole of Preseli’s uplands, as a military training and bombing range during the 1950s. The success of that campaign preserved the landscape, the agriculture, and the unique way of life on the Golden Road.
The Golden Road contains many open pastures and moors. This landscape has led to distinct farming patterns, such as the movement of livestock up onto the Mynydd at the beginning of summer and their return to lowland pastures for winter. This farming practice has helped to create a sense of independence and cooperation among the people who live on and farm the Golden Road.
Photo 1 Caption: Carreg Waldo is a memorial to the great Welsh poet Waldo Williams who lived in the area. Writing his poetry in Welsh, Williams learnt the language while living in Mynydd Preseli. https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/24469#?xywh=-154%2C68%2C806%2C592
Photo 2 caption: Farming was very important to the people of the Preseli. Sheep dogs played a significant role in rounding up the sheep, which were free to roam the common land. Sheep dog trials were important local events to determine whose dog was the best at rounding up sheep. Above is a selection of photos taken from the sheep dog trials at Glyn Saithmaen farm in the 1940s.