St Illtyd's - Cattle Pound - Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, Wales.
N 51° 41.253 W 004° 16.516
30U E 411845 N 5727057
A circular stone structure outside St Illtyd's churchyard wall is said to be a Cattle Pound. This was used to impound stray cattle, which their owners could reclaim after paying a fee. Located in Pembrey Square, Carmarthenshire, South Wales.
Waymark Code: WMQC9E
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/03/2016
Views: 2
St Illtyd's - The parish church in circa 1120 AD, now a Grade 1 listed building, constructed of local stone & added to over time.
At the entrance to the church is a round stone Cattle Pound, believed to date from Circa 1300 to 1500 AD. Located in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, South Wales.
Text & Photo from Geograph. (
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"The present building was probably constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries. Pembrey (or Penbre) Church was a landmark for shipping in the hazardous Burry Estuary, where many came to grief on the Cefn Sidan sands. Over 200 sailors are buried in the churchyard. The circular structure outside the churchyard wall is a cattle pound. This was used to impound stray cattle, which their owners could reclaim after paying a fee. (This description paraphrased from the useful information board by the church gate)." Text source; (
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"St Illtud's Church was a parish church during the medieval period, belonging to the Deqanery of Kidwelly. In 1120 it was granted to the Benedictines of Sherborne Abbey (Dorset), by Roger of Salisbury (Lord of Kidwelly). In 1353 Henry, Duke of Lancaster and the Bishop of st Davids granted the church, along with its two chapelrys, Llandury and Llancommowr, to the New College of Leicester. In 1366 the church was granted by the Bishop by John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster) to the Bishop of St Davids, on the condition that a chantry be founded within the church (to which the revenues of St Ishmael's church were appropraited). After the dissolution the advowson fell to the Crown, but subsequently found its way into private patronage. In 1853 it was in the patronage of the Earl of Ashburnham. This was purchased by the Elkington brothers in 1880, who later presented it to the Ecclesiastical Commission. In 1998 the church was once again a parish church. Text Source: (
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