Old Ordnance Survey Maps of Pembrokeshire


This page summarises the local government organisation of Pembrokeshire since 1889.

  • Pembrokeshire County Council was formed in 1889, and in 1894 a network of boroughs, urban district and rural district councils was formed across the county.
  • Pembrokeshire had three Municipal Boroughs dating from 1836 (or before): Haverfordwest, Pembroke, and Tenby. Although Haverfordwest was historically a county in its own right, it did not become a county borough.
  • From 1894 there were also 5 Urban Districts: Fishguard, Goodwick, Milford Haven, Narberth, and Neyland UDCs. Urban Districts had similar powers to boroughs but lacked the powers to appoint mayors or aldermen.
  • In 1934 Fishguard and Goodwick UDCs were merged as Fishguard & Goodwick Urban District.
  • There were also 5 Rural District Councils covering the areas outside the major towns. These were: Haverfordwest, Llanfyrnach, Narberth, Pembroke, and St Dogmells Rural Districts. Most Rural Districts were initially based on the Poor Law Unions, with meetings held at the workhouse.
  • In 1934 Llanfyrnach and St Dogmells RDCs were abolished and absorbed into a new Cemaes Rural District.
  • In 1974 major reorganisation saw the boroughs, urban and rural districts abolished and Pembrokeshire became part of a new county, Dyfed. This was an amalgamation of three counties, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
  • Dyfed was a 2-tier administration with six local government districts: Ceredigion for the former Cardiganshire; Carmarthen, Dinefwr and Llanelli for the former Carmarthenshire; and Preseli and South Pembrokeshire for the former Pembrokeshire. Preseli included Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and St David's; South Pembrokeshire included Pembroke and Tenby.
  • In 1996 Dyfed was abolished and new councils formed based on the historic counties.
  • Pembrokeshire was restored as a County Council, with headquarters in Haverfordwest. It is a unitary authority, so the district councils of Preseli and South Pembrokeshire were abolished.
  • For a list of our Pembrokeshire maps go to the Pembrokeshire page, or for the whole of Wales go to the Wales page
  • You can order maps direct from our On-line Mapshop.
    Minor changes are not listed here, but please advise us of any significant errors or omissions.
  • Alan Godfrey Maps, Prospect Business Park, Leadgate, Consett, DH8 7PW. Tel 01207 583388
    The Godfrey Edition / sales@alangodfreymaps.co.uk / 4 December 2016