St Catherine's Island is a small tidal island linked to Tenby in Pembrokeshire, by Tenby beach at low tide. The island at one time had a Chapel built on it dedicated to St. Catherine, the patron Saint of spinners and weavers. Two stone built hermit cells were also thought to have been sited there. The island is now home to St. Catherine’s fort, constructed to protect Pembrokeshire from French invasion during the Napoleonic war. Work began on the fort in July 1867 the building contractor being Mr. George Thomas of Orielton Terrace, Pembroke Dock. Whilst excavating the foundations deep into the rock, the ruins of a chapel were removed, together with an Egyptian effigy, bones of a human skeleton, and some Roman coins, work was finally completed in 1870, it was subsequently fortified and garrisoned but the guns were never fired in anger. The initial cost was estimated to be £16.620 the actual cost of the build was £40.000. In 1907 the Island was sold privately for £500, and eventually by way of further sale, found its way into the hands of the wealthy Windsor - Richards family, who were involved in the South Wales Iron and Steel Industry. The elegance of their occupation is well remembered, with the main hall carpeted with animal skins, glass trophy cabinets, Tapestries, and many Stag heads and hunting trophies bedecking the walls. The principal rooms were furnished in period styles, with the main hall containing its huge open fireplace being a focal point for numerous lavish celebrations, in particular, the Tenby Hunt Ball. The family eventually sold the fort on. The new owner left it to lay empty for a period of many years before in 1968 work began opening the fort up as a zoo! The Zoo remained open for 10 years before closing, and from that day the fort has remained empty.
Bird-eye view of the island:
Bird-eye view of the island:
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