If you know where to look, Pembrokeshire is a time capsule, showing a path back in time to ancient civilisations by way of prehistoric burial chambers and stone circles, Iron Age forts and cairns.

Coetan Arthur was the first burial chamber we encountered, close to St David's Head. Veering from the coastal path, a trail took us further inland.

It's believed to date from 3,000BC, making it a Neolithic (new stone age) burial chamber. The collapsed capstone measures 13x8.5ft (4x2.6m) and is supported by a 5ft (1.5m) tall single side stone. We also came across what is believed to have been a coastal fort on the peninsula, overlooking the sea, as well as ancient field patterns nearby. These additional clues to human habitation are believed to date from a later time.

According to the National Trust (which owns much of Pembrokeshire Coast): "Two to three thousand years ago our Iron Age ancestors opted for promontory cliffs as a defensive position and built large ramparts to protect their homes from landward attack."

It's very strange to think how quiet spots such as this one was once home to our ancestors, who lived and (as evidenced by the chamber) died here. What must this area have been like thousands of years ago?

Pentre Ifan

Pentre Ifan is thought to date from 3,500 BC and is located in the region of the Presali Hills. It is classed as number one in the top 15 Burial Chambers in England and Wales, according to The Old Stones, edited by Andy Burnham.

He writes: "It's hard to imagine a more dramatic and spectacular monument from Pentre Ifan, star of countless calendars and book covers". At the time I hadn't realised its fame but I certainly noticed just how impressive it is. It's actually the largest in Wales.

The capstone (thought to weigh 16 tonnes!) tilts on three 8ft (2.5m) uprights which support it. A blocking stone obstructs the entrance. To get to Pentre Ifan, we walked past Carnedd Meibion Owen, the site of four large cairns and then through Ty Canol National Nature Reserve with its ancient woodland and notable lichens. Once out of the beautiful woodland, it was a ramble through country lanes and pathways, until we finally got to the burial chamber. And despite the feeling of being lost and 'will we ever get there?' it was well worth the trek.

The Presali Hills are famed for another reason - it is thought the Stonehenge bluestones originate from here (they were also used to build Pentre Ifan). The questions are: how and why were they moved from these hills to Stonehenge?

There are also the remains of a stone circle on the hills, with two of the stones still standing upright.

Devil's Quoit

The curiously named Devil's Quoit is a lone standing stone at Stackpole, further south on the Pembrokeshire Coast. We had spotted another Devil's Quoit on the map but, when it came to finding it, couldn't see any sign of it. At a National Trust car park at Stackpole Estate, there was helpfully a map so this time we hoped it would be easier seen. To find it, we embarked on a picturesque walk via the lovely Barafundle Bay and then through woodland.

I enjoyed reading the myth mentioned on the Britain Express website: "The Devil's Quoit is one of the Dancing Stones of Stackpole, three ancient standing stones said to meet at Saxon's Ford on a certain day each year, where they dance until dawn to a tune played by the Devil on his flute, before resuming their stations."

A nice tale for Halloween!

According to Britain Express (https://www.britainexpress.com/wales/pembrokeshire/devils-quoit-stackpole.htm) the stone was "probably erected about 3,000 years ago during the Bronze Age and "marked a communal gathering place or ceremonial centre. The stone is thought to have formed part of an arrangement of smaller stones."

Imagine if there was a time machine to transport us to the ancient world and back again, what wonders would we see?

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