SAUNDERSFOOT and the adjoining villages that make up Saundersfoot Bay have a rich heritage and a fascinating historical story to tell.
Below is a short synopsis of that story followed by information on how the community of Saundersfoot is keeping the heritage of the area alive.
The harbour in Saundersfoot was first built in 1829 and it transformed the small fishing village into a thriving industrial port exporting high quality anthracite by sea. Queen Victoria decreed that only coal from Saundersfoot should be used to power the first Royal Steam Yacht because it gave intense heat yet produced very little smoke.
Originally, there were many small, privately owned pits and the coal was transported by horse and cart to Coppid Hall, Swallow Tree and Wiseman's Bridge where it was transferred to boats which were grounded on the beaches at low tide. When fully laden the boats would sail off when they were floated by the next high tide. The completion of the harbour and the opening of larger and deeper pits producing more coal, saw the construction of rail links bringing coal from the outlying areas of Begelly, Thomas Chapel and the more local Bonvilles Court, as well as Stepaside and Wiseman's Bridge.
You can discover some of the history and heritage in the Saundersfoot Bay area by following the walk outlined in the heritage walk leaflet which you can view and download from this website (see below). The leaflet provides you with a guided tour by Tomos (you may have seen his image on little plaques in various locations)