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All the United Kingdom Wales Port Eynon Culver Hole

Culver Hole

This tall stone wall with no door and ill-matched windows was built centuries ago, and used as a shelter for domesticated pigeons.

Port Eynon, Wales

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Jake The Cake , Jeremy Butler
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Culver Hole   Ceri Roberts / CC BY-SA 3.0
  jedbutler1963 (Atlas Obscura User)
  jedbutler1963 (Atlas Obscura User)
Culver Hole   Andrew Bennett / CC BY 2.0
Port Eynon Beach, Gower peninsula   Heather Cowper / CC BY-SA 2.0
Culver hole from a rib   saraphillips711 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Hidden in the cliffs on the Gower peninsula in South Wales is a cave sealed behind an 18-meter stone wall with no door and ill-matched windows. Believed to have been built in the 13th or 14th century as a shelter for domesticated pigeons, the cave would have held hundreds of pigeons in the day. Pigeons were an important source of food, providing meat and fresh eggs.

According to legend, this site was also used as a storehouse by powerful local brigand John Lucas and once had a secret tunnel that was used to move illegal contraband connecting it to the nearby salt house in Port Eynon. The word "culver" derives from the Old English word "culfre," meaning pigeon.

Related Tags

Dovecotes History Birds Pigeons Walls

Know Before You Go

The structure is fairly easy to get to at low tide from Port Eynon beach.

From the coast path,  locate the memorial on the headland. One hundred yards north along the coastal path towards Overton, there is a coast path market. Follow the path leading down toward the sea, until you come to a cleft in the cliff. A tricky climb down to sea level and you're there.

The narrow path down to the shore is exposed and may not be suitable for anyone afraid of heights. The cleft can be made out by standing on the top of the cliffs,  but not the structure. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Jake The Cake, jedbutler1963

Edited By

derukanjiru, jooniur, Michelle Cassidy, saraphillips711

  • derukanjiru
  • jooniur
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • saraphillips711

Published

March 6, 2023

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Sources
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesnature/2010/08/a_real_cliff_hanger.html
Culver Hole
Port Eynon, Wales, SA3 1NN
United Kingdom
51.539209, -4.214251
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Nearby Places

Port Eynon Salt House

Port Eynon, Wales

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Eynon

Port Eynon

Wales

Places 2

Nearby Places

Port Eynon Salt House

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miles away

Maen Ceti (Arthur's Stone)

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Worm's Head Tidal Island

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Eynon

Port Eynon

Wales

Places 2

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