Island 164 - St Catherine's Island, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales

This small tidal island is very easily accessed across the golden sands of Tenby's South Beach for about 3 hours each side of low tide.  However currently it is only possible to climb up the first 20 steps before you reach a locked gate.   The island is approximately 200 metres by 100 metres in size.

There is a fort on top of the island which was built between 1867 and 1875  on the orders of Lord Palmerston to defend Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock from possible attack by the French.  The island was sold by the government in 1907 and then again soon after to the Windsor-Richards family, who turned the fort into a summer house.

In 1940 it was sold again and was unoccupied until it was sold in 1962 to a Tenby businessman.  The fort was a zoo from 1968-79.  The current owner is in dispute with the local council about how it should be developed, hence the current lack of public access.  I look forward to the time when it is possible to fully explore the fort.

St Catherine's Island

St Catherine's Island showing one of 3 short tunnels that run through the width of the island.

The tide isn't quite out far enough

St Catherine's Island from Castle Hill

Fort on St Catherine's Island from the Caldey Ferry

Fort on St Catherine's Island from the Caldey Ferry

This is currently as far as you can go