Burnett's Hill Chapel
Historic chapel and live music venue in Pembrokeshire
Burnett's Hill Calvinistic Methodist Chapel is a rare and important survival of early Pembrokeshire chapel architecture. Built in cottage style in 1812 to serve the coal-mining community of Landshipping and Martletwy, it has been little altered over the years and has a timeless charm all of its own.
Like so many Welsh chapels, Burnett's Hill was forced to close in the 1980s for want of a congregation, and it might have become a complete ruin but for the intervention of a group of local people who formed themselves into the Friends of Burnett's Hill Chapel and set about saving the building.
Thanks to the help of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Heritage Lottery Fund, this was achieved and the beautifully restored chapel re-opened in 2001.
Visitors are always welcome at Burnett's Hill, whether simply to view the building, which stands in the midst of splendid open countryside, or to attend one of the services, Sankey evenings or concerts which take place on a regular basis.
The chapel seats 100 people and has proved to be an ideal concert hall, hosting sell-out performances by - among others - John Kirkpatrick, John Renbourne, Hoover the Dog, Dan Cassidy's Swing Quartet , Faustus and Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Forthcoming events
All concerts start at 7.30pm. Seating is limited so booking in advance is recommended.
Thursday 16th February 2012
Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts - Acclaimed young folk duo - BBC Radio folk award nominees. Recently toured as support to both Bellowhead and Fairport Convention. £7.50.
Thursday 23rd February 2012
Phil Beer - Multi-instrumentalist and singer, usually found performing with the mighty Show of Hands. £10.00.
Tuesday 6th March 2012
Lady Maisery - Folk trio comprising Hannah James, Hazel Askew and Rowan Rhenigans. £7.50.
Thursday 15th March 2012
Budapest Cafe Orchestra - Hungarian traditional tunes and Gypsy music. £7.50 (£6.50 concessions). A Night Out Scheme concert.
All tickets can be obtained from The Pembroke Bookshop, 73 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4DA. Telephone 01646-685144.
Burnett's Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire SA67 8AX
FINDING BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL FROM CANASTON BRIDGE
Head towards Carew on the Oakwood road. At Cross Hands, turn right just after Canaston Bowl. Follow the road to Martletwy. Keep going down through Martletwy village, with the chuch on your left, and through Weston where there is a right hand bend. After half a mile, you'll see a post box in the hedge; take a left turn up a sharp hill. Turn left at the top and park along the verge on the right.
FINDING BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL FROM CAREW
Head towards Cresselly on the Canaston Bridge road. At Whitehill, turn left just after the Land Rover Garage. Keep going past the pub at Cresswell Quay and over the narrow stone bridge, taking the left hand fork up the hill and past Pen-quoit towards Lawrenny. At Deals cross-roads keep straight on. Half a mile further on you come to Knowles cross-roads. Turn right and keep going along a narrow lane for a mile and a half until you reach the chapel. Park in the farmyard on the right.
Useful tip: Bring a small cushion (the pews are hard) and also a pocket torch to find your car afterwards...
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