Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest
|
|
|---|---|
 High Street, Haverfordwest |
|
 Haverfordwest
|
|
| Haverfordwest shown within Pembrokeshire | |
| Population | 12,042 (parish 2011) |
| OS grid reference | SM955155 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAVERFORDWEST |
| Postcode district | SA61, SA62 |
| Dialling code | 01437 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | |
| Welsh Assembly | |
Haverfordwest (/ˈhævərfərdˈwɛst/; Welsh: Hwlffordd [ˈhuːlfɔrð]) is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and serves as the county's principal commercial and administrative centre. Haverfordwest is the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 13,367 in 2001, though its community boundaries make it the second most populous settlement in the county, with 10,812 people. The 2011 census quoted a population of 12,042 only living within the confines of the parish. This agreed with the total population of all 5 wards involved.
The town includes the suburbs of Prendergast (a former parish) and Albert Town and the mixed residential and industrial area of Withybush (housing, retail parks, hospital, airport and showground). Merlin's Bridge, a separate village and community, adjoins to the south.
The strategic position at the lowest fordable point of the Western Cleddau led to importance from the Roman era to the present.
Haverfordwest is a market town, the county town of Pembrokeshire and an important road network hub between other towns in the county such as Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and St David's as a result of its position at the tidal limit of the western River Cleddau. The majority of the town, comprising the old parishes of St. Mary, St. Martin and St. Thomas, lies on the right (west) bank of the river. On the left bank are the suburbs of Prendergast and Cartlett. At this point, a pair of sandstone ridges extending east-west and separated by a deep, narrow valley, are cut through by the western Cleddau. This leaves two high spurs on the west side of the river. On the northern spur, the castle and its surrounding settlement form the core of St Martin's parish. On the southern spur, the High Street ascends steeply from the river, and forms the core of St Mary's parish. From the foot of each spur, ancient bridges cross the river to Prendergast: St Martin's Bridge ("the Old Bridge") and St Mary's Bridge ("the New Bridge", built in 1835). St Thomas's parish occupies the south side of the southern spur. From these core areas, the town has spread, mainly along the ridges. In addition to the four ancient parish churches, the remains of an Augustinian priory are visible at the southern edge of the town.
...
Wikipedia