The village is on a sandstone ridge, 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of Pembroke, 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Angle, and reached on the B4319 road.
Geography
In chronostratigraphy, the British sub-stage of the Carboniferous period, the 'Arundian' derives its name from Hobbyhorse Bay in the Castlemartin community—arundo being the Latin for hobby horse.[3] Castlemartin has 8 miles (13 km) of coastline, much of it consisting of spectacular limestone cliffs characterised by large sea caves, natural arches and stacks.
A 1583 map in the British Library shows Castlemartin parish as Castlemerten.[5]
The census population of Castlemartin was 496 (1801): 528 (1851): 460 (1901): 243 (1951): 147 (2001).
During the 20th century, much of the land in the community area was cleared by the government for use as an artillery range: Castlemartin Training Area, with its base at Merrion, in Warren. Here, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path has to run inland; by-passing many interesting sections of cliff, although sometimes access may be offered to Flimston. In 2011, the MoD opened up a special diversionary route which was safer for walkers by protecting them from the range fire and preventing them for having to negotiate narrow country roads with fast moving traffic.[6]
Castlemartin community amalgamated with Stackpole community in 2012, forming Stackpole and Castlemartin community.[7]
Parish church
The parish church of St Michael is a Grade I listed building. It contains a cross-inscribed stone pillar of the 7th century-9th century. Currently, the church is closed.[8][9] The church was declared redundant and vested with the Friends of Friendless Churches in 2016.[10]