Points of interest
The Knight’s Way is a 9.3-mile or 15km linear walk that stretches from the upper tidal reaches of the Eastern Cleddau to the village of Amroth.
It passes through a number of places having strong associations with both the Knights Templars and the Knights of St John (or Hospitallers).
These orders of knighthood emerged during the 12th century and became involved in the Crusades.
Waging war in Palestine and tending the casualties of the Crusades were gradually supplanted by the protection of pilgrims throughout Europe. The Templars were dissolved in 1312.
Colby Lodge: This sheltered valley of woodland and landscaped gardens was, until the last century, mined extensively for anthracite coal and iron ore.
The woodland is thought to be a remnant of the large medieval forest of Coed Traeth lying between Amroth and Saundersfoot.
The estate takes its name from John Colby, who purchased land here in 1787 and who subsequently built Colby Lodge in 1803. The house has features derived from the designs of John Nash.
The estate is now owned and managed by the National Trust.
The church in Amroth (St Elidyr’s) was erected in the 12th century on the site of an earlier pre-norman temple. In 1150 it was handed over to the order of the Knights Hospitaller from the nearby commandry in Slebech together with 50 acres of sanctuary land.
Papal decree allowed the Hospitallers to grant sanctuary to all criminals except those guilty of treason and sacrilege, on the understanding the guilty party would then proceed to a convenient port and leave the realm, never to return.
In the 13th century and again in the 15th century the church of Amroth was rebuilt, probably by John Elliot, who added a family chapel to the church.
Another thorough reconstruction was carried out in 1855, but fortunately it did not include the original walls, tower, ceilings and chapel, but the nave was extended to the west. In the 19th century almost all the windows were transformed except the openings placed in the tower, and a porch was also added.