Caldey Island
If you are visiting Tenby in Penbrokhire over the summer holidays then a visit to the island of Caldy is a must.
Caldey was a monastic island from the early Christian period to the dissolution of the Monasteries ( 1509-47 )
The present Monastery of Cistercians was founded in 1927
To reach the island which is about 2 miles off the coast there is a fleet of boats that sail from Tenby harbour from Easter to October
Tickets can be obtained from the Caldey Island Kiosk at the top of Tenby Harbour The boats run about every 20 minutes from 10am to 5.00 every day except Sundays so there is little waiting involved. The crossing time is about 20 minutes .
The monks in addition to other things, like prayer, manage to bake shortbread in the monastery ovens, produce hand made chocolate and perhaps he most interesting activity is their production of perfumes. Some of the perfumes are produced from an extract of gorse flowers. I was always under the impression that gorse flowers had no perfume. Perhaps my sense of smell is not so good ! Yes you can take the dog but it must be kept on a lead at all times. The island itself has some fine walks along good footpaths.
It is well worth a visit if you are in or near Tenby. read more