Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - A look at Cwtch-y-Cwm . . .


Firstly, I’d like to expand on the definition of a Pill in context with the River Severn estuary. A large number of Pills may be found along the shores of the Severn for example Major Pill, Hunger Pill, Caldicot Pill and Saint Pierre Pill. A Pill is a small pool, inlet or creek which fills with water according to the state of the tide. As stated previously a “Pill”, or sometimes designated a “Pil” is the English translation of “Pwll” from the Welsh language. “Pwll Glo” is a coal mine since “Pwll” is a pit; in the context of coastal regions it seems that the description also applies in the same general manner.

Above is an image of Major Pill which is typical. [122] Left - 1830 OS Map of Penarth Head and proximity to the Cwtsh-y-Cwm pill as spelt by the cartographer, however, it should be Cwtch-y-Cwm.