St Thomas à Becket Chapel, Milford Haven, United Kingdom

St Thomas à Becket Chapel was constructed in 1180 and dedicated to St Thomas Becket. It commanded fine views of the Haven estuary, situated on the north bank in open space. Along with two other chapels, now disappeared, at Herbrandston and St Anne's Head, it functioned not only as a Catholic place of worship, but also as a Beacon Chapel, or lighthouse to sailors. The chapel enjoyed a dependent relationship with the nearby Pill Priory. By the 17th century the structure was in ruins, when it was occupied by Parliamentarian forces in 1644. It later acquired a function as storage for the battery located on the Rath.

In the twentieth century, it had become used as a pigsty and stable. In 1930, £1,000 was raised, and the building was reconstructed, work completed in 1938. It was re-consecrated as an Anglican chapel of ease. It is built of rubble stone with a graded slate roof, small nave and chancel, both with pointed barrel vaults. The interior is simple with plastered vaults, small niches each side in chancel and a curved rood beam with rood. The nave south facing windows have stained glass of 1935 and 1939 to Sir Hugh Thomas of Castle Hall. In 2012 it was privately sold, in spite of local opposition.

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User Reviews

Ant Car (3 years ago)
Stayed in the fort, absolutely wonderful and warm too.

Kenneth Gainfort (4 years ago)
Excellent location to view the Milford haven estuary and one of the closest point to see the massive oil tankers and gas tankers

Giles Wareham (4 years ago)
Amazing location in your wn clff top castle

J (5 years ago)
Stayed with family here. Wonderful so much fun. Great family time laughing and raising flag.

Graeme Andrew (6 years ago)
Stayed in the fort as a group via Landmark Trust. Such great fun to explore the Blockhouse itself, from the basement to the rooftop, and then the outbuildings, abandoned gunnery positions and so on. Perfectly situated for views across the Milford Haven estuary and Bristol Channel. Great coastal walks. Tip: it's on a busy shipping lane so install a vessel finder app on your phone before you come. Stop by nearby Dale Post Office & General Store for supplies.

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