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 where the door is always open. There is an information board in the porch telling the story of the local coal-miners who built the chapel which is now a venue for occasional concerts which help to support the upkeep of the building.
To order a copy of the newly published history of the chapel (pictured above), please send your name, address and a cheque for £4.53 payable to The Friends of Burnett's Hill Chapel to 3 Pisgah Cottages, Cresswell Quay, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire SA68 0TD
BURNETT'S HILL CONCERTS
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please email burnettshill@btinternet.com
THURSDAY 14TH MARCH 2024 - THE TIM KLIPHUIS TRIO - Acclaimed Dutch gypsy jazz and classical violinist plays the Hot Club music of Stephane Grappelli and much more, with the aid of two talented accomplices on guitar and double bass. 7.30pm - Tickets £12.50 each
WEDNESDAY 29TH MAY 2024 - CHRIS NEWMAN AND MAIRE NI CHATHASAIGH - Virtuoso guitarist teams up with the doyenne of the Celtic harp. Expect a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, swing, bluegrass and baroque, spiced with striking new compositions. 7.30pm - Tickets £12.50 each
WEDNESDAY 26TH JUNE 2024 - TONY MCMANUS AND JULIA TOASPERN - Tony is a virtuoso acoustic guitarist from Scotland who plays Celtic tunes, classical and jazz, while Julia, from Berlin, is a classically-trained violinist, guitarist and vocalist with an interest in folk and jazz. 7.30pm - Tickets £12.50 each
WEDNESDAY 17TH JULY 2024 - BROOKS WILLIAMS AND AARON CATLOW TRIO - Legendary American roots guitarist and singer Brooks Williams joins forces with fiery fiddle player Aaron Catlow (Sheelanagig, Mad Dog McCrae, etc.) and acoustic bass player Jon Short for an evening of music ranging from old time American to country blues and folk. A Night Out Scheme concert. 7.30pm - Tickets £12.50 each
You can reserve tickets for all Burnett's Hill events by phoning 01646-651725.
HOW TO FIND BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL
FINDING BURNETT'S HILL CHAPEL FROM CANASTON BRIDGE
Head towards Carew on the Oakwood road. At Cross Hands, turn right just after Canaston Bowl. Stay on this road for 3.3 miles (straight through Martletwy) and then take the left turn up a steep hill. Turn left at the top and park along the verge on the right or in the paddock on the left.
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 Penquoit towards Lawrenny. At the first cross-roads (Deals Cross) 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 paddock on the right.
Useful tip: Bring a small cushion (the pews are hard) and also a pocket torch to find your car afterwards...
Burnett's Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire SA67 8AX