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Keeper's Cottages
These two older views
(postcards) show that Caldy Lighthouse has changed very little, Old images are a part of the Camera
Images GBPictures archive
Caldey Island Caldey Island, 3 miles off the south Wales coast near Tenby, has a long history. It measures 1½ miles long and less that ¾ mile wide. It has a harbour, small village, but is best known for the abbey. The island's name 'Caldey' comes from the Viking name Keld-Eye meaning "cold island". In Welsh it is known as Ynys Bŷr, named after an early Abbot Pyro. A Celtic Christian monastery, not initially under the rule of Rome, was built here in the 6th century. Pyro was followed by St Samson, from the Celtic monastery at Llantwit Major. Viking raids may have ended this settlement in the 10th Century. Later it' known to have been donated by the Abbey of Tiron in France to the Benedictine Monks from St Dogmaels, Pembrokshire in 1131 who, by 1136, had built on it. Along came Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries and the monks were expelled in 1536. Much of their medieval priory is still standing today. In 1906 an Anglican Benedictine brotherhood bought the island and erected the present monastery, and in 1913 joined the Roman Catholic church. In the early 1920's it was sold to the Order of the Reformed Cistercians. The Benedictines left the abbey here in 1925,
having experienced financial problems, and moved to Prinknash Abbey in
Gloucestershire. We have a location guide,
Prinknash Bird and Deer Park,
The Trappists who are now at the abbey came in 1929 from Scourmont Abbey in Belgium. They struggled at first to farm the island but later found perfume and tourism provided a good income. They now own the island and produce a number of home grown items including chocolate, ice cream, clotted cream, shortbread and yoghurt, plus perfumes and hand lotions derived from wild flowers that grow on the island. Boats sail to the island from Tenby during the summer months. Attractions on Caldey include a Norman chapel, a twelfth century church, the sixth century Ogham cross, and the twentieth century Abbey. Caldey Lighthouse was built in 1828. The principal income for the island is tourism, with perfume and chocolate production providing winter incomes. The monastery opened an internet shop in 2001. The island also provides a spiritual retreat throughout the year. There is a private guesthouse on the island as well as a fire engine, ambulance and a Coastguard team. Boats run to and from the island every 15 minutes from 9.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays from mid May until mid September. Tickets are available from the Caldey Island kiosk at Tenby Harbour entrance (01834 843545 ). The 20 minute trip leaves visitors at the landing spot on the beautiful Priory beach, the only safe bathing spot on the island. From here it is a short walk to the village and Monastery.
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