England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Redberth St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Redberth lies in southern Pembrokeshire roughly 4 miles northwest of the coastal resort of Tenby. Redberth sits on the former route of the A477 road which links Pembroke with St Clears, that road now bypassing the small village to its south. Redberth is a tiny place, little more than a hamlet, which it formerly was in Carew parish, gathered around a junction on the former A road. The parish is also tiny and dominated by poor quality soils meaning potatoes were the major crop in a largely subsistence farming economy. Redberth is drained westwards by a feeder for the Crew River which meets the complex estuary of Milford Haven before passing into the outer Bristol Channel. Redberth is sited at around 40 metres above the sea, a small knoll reaching 100 metres to its south being the highest ground around. Redberth parish was tiny covering just 300 acres, it was one of the smallest in the land, it could only support a population of close to 100 parishioners. Like most of Wales Redberth is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Mary's church sits a short distance north of the A477's former route at the next junction with the northern back lane of the village. Sadly today's church is not the venue for these few marriages as it was built in 1841 to replace the former medieval version which fell into a dilapidated condition and was demolished. A typical nave and chancel but topped by and elevated "fort-like" bell-turret at its western end, the architects chose to build in a version of the Perpendicular style yet also added lancets in a curious amalgam. A small parking area may be found south of the site but is used primarily by residents, the churchyard is a challenge for the photographer as there are many trees which severely restrict the angles available.