PLACE NAME
Goldcliff Priory was a Benedictine monastery in Goldcliff, South Wales, founded in 1113 by Robert de Chandos. The origin of the place name is said to be the 60 foot high limestone cliff, at nearby Hill Farm, which rises over an expansive bed of yellow mica which has a glittering appearance in sunshine, especially to ships passing in the Bristol Channel. Giraldus Cambrensis, touring the area in 1188 refers to it as “Gouldclyffe” and describes it in Latin as “…glittering with a wonderful brightness”. Like many of the roads on the St Helier’s estate this is named after British monasteries and abbeys in remembrance of the area’s historic ownership by Westminster Abbey. The road names are in alphabetical order, of which Aberconway Road in the north west of the estate is first.
