St Govan's Chapel

St Govan’s Chapel stands on St Govan’s Head in Pembrokeshire, built into the side of a limestone cliff. The small building measures about six metres by four metres and has two rooms, one at the front and one at the back. Most of the chapel dates from the thirteenth century, though parts may be as old as the sixth century when the monk Saint Govan lived in a cave on the site. A low stone bench runs along each wall and the altar lies at the east end. An empty bell-cote sits at the west end and the slate roof appears to be a later addition. The chapel is reached from the clifftop by a flight of fifty-two steps. Local guides repeat the tale that the number of steps changes depending on whether you climb down or back up. The chapel holds Grade I listed status and lies within a military training area, so access can be restricted at times. The building also appeared in the first three episodes of the third series of the BBC drama His Dark Materials. Below the chapel lies Ogof Gofan, a large cave system with a vaulted chamber that resembles a cathedral. The cave was re-discovered in 1966 but shows signs of human use stretching back thousands of years when the sea stood far from its entrance.