Gwaun Valley

The Gwaun Valley runs inland from Fishguard through one of the most beautiful and secluded landscapes in Pembrokeshire. The River Gwaun flows through a deep, wooded gorge below the northern edge of the Preseli Hills — a narrow, winding road follows it, passing through hamlets of whitewashed farmhouses and old mill buildings. The valley has an otherworldly, enclosed quality, a green tunnel between the open hillsides above.

The valley is excellent walking country. Woodland walks follow the river through sections of ancient oak woodland that survived the agricultural clearances of most of Wales. The Preseli Hills above the valley's southern rim offer open ridgeline walks with views in all directions. The village of Pontfaen in the middle of the valley has a pub and is a good starting point for walks in either direction.

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A story
The Gwaun Valley is one of the few places in Wales where the old Julian calendar is still observed. The local community celebrates New Year on January 13th — Hen Galan, or 'Old New Year's Day' — with a tradition that predates the 1752 calendar reform that moved Britain to the Gregorian calendar. Children go from door to door collecting gifts of money and food, a custom called 'Calennig' that has died out almost everywhere else.

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