St Florence (

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

: ''Sain Fflwrens'') is both a village, a

parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one o ...

and a

community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, ...

in Pembrokeshire,

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

. St Florence sits on the River Ritec that flows eastwards to its estuary in

Tenby Tenby ( cy, Dinbych-y-pysgod, lit=fortlet of the fish) is both a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the western side of Carmarthen Bay, and a local government community. Notable features include of sandy beaches and the Pembroke ...

. The Church of St Florence is a grade II* listed building. In 2001, the population was 490 (2001 Census Settlement data), 650 (2001 Census Community Council 993Ha) and 751 (Parish Headcount).

History

St Florence dates back to Norman times and remains of 16th and 17th-century buildings still exist, with Flemish chimneys, characteristic of Pembrokeshire, in evidence, named after Flemish settlers in the region. The river was navigable by small vessels as far upstream as St Florence until the 19th century when it silted up as a result of local land reclamation. The village is a noted stop on the Tenby to Whitland section of the Cistercian Way owing to its historical significance.

St Florence Church (St. Florentius)

The 12th-century parish church is dedicated to St Florentius; it was restored in the 19th century, and is a grade II* listed building. In the church is a memorial to

Robert Ferrar Robert Ferrar (died 30 March 1555) was a Bishop of St David's in Wales. He was prior of Nostell Priory, embraced the English Reformation, and was made Bishop of St. David's by Edward VI. He suffered martyrdom during the Marian persecutions. ...

, the Protestant Bishop of St Davids, who was burned at the stake at Carmarthen during the reign of

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

in 1555.

Geography

St Florence sits on the River Ritec that flows eastwards to its estuary in Tenby. East of St Florence on the north bank of the river is Ritec Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Public Transport

Bus Service 361 Edwards Coaches(Route: Pembroke Dock - Tenby)(As at 2016), nearest train station - Manorbier

Manorbier railway station , symbol_location = gb , symbol = rail , image = Manorbier railway station, Pembrokeshire - geograph.org.uk - 3991437.jpg , borough = Manorbier, Pembrokeshire , country = Wales , coord ...

is southwest of the village.

Sport and leisure activities

St Florence's football side were the Pembrokeshire Division 3 Cup champions of the season 2006/2007. The village hosts an annual Duck Race on the river at Easter for charity. To the north of the village on the B4318 is

Manor House Wildlife Park Manor House Wildlife Park is a zoo located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, just north of the village of St Florence. It was bought in 2008 by television presenter Anna Ryder Richardson and Colin MacDougall and is more recently known as Manor Wildlife P ...

. Other local attractions include Heatherton World of Activities and The Dinosaur Park.

References

External links

Historical information and sources on GENUKI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Florence Villages in Pembrokeshire Communities in Pembrokeshire