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The Pembrokeshire Coast is somewhere we keep heading back to, it has so much to offer and discover that we find new hidden gems each time we visit. We’ve put together our guide on how to get the most out of the area including the best places to visit, and when you should visit based on our own experience.
You can watch our visit to Pembrokeshire in the summer here on YouTube which features many places mentioned in this article. If you have any questions or want to let us know what your favourite place in Pembrokeshire is please let us know in the comments section.
Read our guide to the UK National Parks for more inspiration for your next adventure.
Where is the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park?
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is located in South West Wales and encircles the entire Pembrokeshire coast which covers a total area of 629km². As one of the smallest National Parks in the UK, it is the only British National park that consists entirely of wild coastal landscape.
This dramatic coastline measures an incredible 420km and includes a collection of scenery from golden sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, magical woodland and pastel coloured coastal towns. It is also home to the UK’s smallest city, St David’s and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Why was the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park set up?
In the early 1800’s the industrial revolution led to the building of large factories in the cities with poor working conditions. Factory workers grew an appreciation for nature and the outdoors with access to clean air and recreation as a stark contrast to their working environment. A growing movement commenced with the right to roam movement which fought for the right of all people to have access to the countryside.
A voluntary group was formed to put pressure on the government to create the National Park we know today. This public pressure led to the White Paper written in 1945 on National Parks. The Government passed an Act in 1949 to establish National Parks which would preserve and enhance their natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities to the public. In 1951, the Peak District National Park was set up as the first of Britain’s fifteen National Parks.
The first ten National Parks in England and Wales were set up between 1951 and 1957. These Parks were created to protect unique and spectacular landscapes which will provide recreation opportunities for the public. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was designated so in 1952 and has since become one of the most popular in the whole of the UK, known for its breathtaking coastal scenery, quaint little towns and picturesque villages. The residents of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park total a population of 22,542, the majority live in either St Davids or Tenby.
The importance of outdoor space and nature has once again come to the forefront recently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns where many found solace in green spaces. Pressure on our National Parks to provide this essential connection with nature was in high demand, perhaps we take for granted the parks we have today and have grown a new or increased appreciation for them during the pandemic. Access to nature and open space is a human right for all and provides benefits to mental and physical health which should be protected for future generations.
What is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park known for?
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was designated in 1952 and has since become one of the most popular in the whole of the UK, known for its breathtaking coastal scenery, quaint little towns and outdoor activities. The residents of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park total a population of 22,542, the majority live in either St Davids or Tenby.
In 1970 a National Trail was opened called the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which covers 186 miles of spectacular coastline. The total path can be compared to climbing Everest, the path ascends and descends 35,000ft which is 2,000ft more than Everest. Highlights along the path include; Stackpole to Barafundle, St Davids peninsular and Solva.
One of the best activities you can do in Pembrokeshire National Park is coasteering. This adventure will immerse you to experience the coastline up close through cliff jumping, wild swimming with the chance to catch a glimpse of wildlife. We did a coasteering activity from Stackpole Quay and was an incredible experience, we stumbled across spider crabs, awe-struck by the geological patterns and were filled with adrenaline.
Skomer Island is the largest island in Pembrokeshire, home to puffins, razorbills, guillemots and many other colonies of sea birds. The best time of year to spot puffins on the island is May to July. Water sports are very popular including Kayaking and Surfing. Popular surfing spots include Freshwater West and Manobier.
When is the best time to visit?
The longer days of summer will bring great weather conditions where you can make the most of your days exploring the coastline. If you visit just outside the summer holidays either June or September you should experience the warm weather but with fewer crowds. Pembrokeshire National Park can be enjoyed at all times of year, in the spring the woodlands are full of bluebells and wildflower meadows, in autumn grey seals can be spotted with their pups and in winter you can avoid the crowds by wrapping up warm and finding a cosy pub to take refuge and fill up on comfort food.
How to get there?
If you are travelling by car, the best route to take is via the M5 to Bristol where you will take the M4 which is the easiest access route to Pembrokeshire. If you take junction 49 to the A48 to Carmarthen. The A40 will take you towards Fishguard and Haverfordwest and the A477 for Pembroke and Tenby. This route is much further for those coming from north of England and a more suitable route would be to head for Aberystwyth and follow the A487 to Pembrokeshire.
Train services to the area from London to Swansea and trains to Pembrokeshire at Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Pembroke dock, Tenby, Manorbier, Fishguard, Milford Haven and more. There is limited accessibility to the North West of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such as St Davids and Marloes. More information on how to plan your train journey is found on the Arriva Trains website. Cardiff international is the nearest airport.
How to get around?
There are a number of options to get around, including the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus Service which helps to alleviate traffic on the road and we would recommend getting it to the start of your walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path allowing you to end up where you parked or are staying. The bus services operate only 6 days a week, make sure you plan ahead if you plan to walk part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park as services could be reduced in rural locations. Bus services in the North West must be booked in advance and cover different areas for each day of the week. There is a shuttle bus from St David’s to St Justinian to reduce traffic at this location as there is limited parking, it is a popular location to take boat trips to Ramsey island and nearby islands.
Trains to Pembrokeshire at Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Pembroke dock, Tenby, Manorbier, Fishguard, Milford Haven and more. There is limited accessibility to the North West of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such as St Davids and Marloes. The south coast of Pembrokeshire is a scenic way to explore the coastline from town to town. Visit the Transport for Wales website for latest train timetables and updates.
If you are driving around the national park, roads can be narrow in places, especially in remote areas. There are numerous car parks managed by the National Park Authority and others are privately owned. A number of the car parks are pay and display which only charge from 15th March to 7th November from 9am to 7pm. Since 2021, there are options to pay by phone instead of coins if you are short on cash. You can purchase a seasonal ticket or weekly ticket online online shop.
How CAN I stay safe on the coast?
Check weather before heading out, avoid walking along exposed coastal paths or entering the sea in extreme weather conditions. If you need the coastguard, call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Emergency calls can be made on any mobile phone network, not just your own.
The tidal times are the time in the day the tide will be high and low, in some cases this might mean the beach at low tide has plenty of sand to explore but at high tide there might be no beach left at all. Tidal times change throughout the year and is not the same time every day which means it is very important to check the tidal times especially on non-lifeguarded beaches as you should take extra care.
Before heading out on the coastal path or to a beach make sure to check the tide times, as there can be a 7m tidal time difference along this stretch of coast and you do not want to get caught out. Before you set off on your hike, we would recommend that you search for the tidal times online on the met office or Pembroke tide tables. When relaxing on the beach, do not sit below cliff edges as rocks can fall and parts can be unstable during and after stormy weather.
Wear suitable footwear and clothing, especially during autumn and winter months when conditions can be wet and muddy. If walking longer distances, consider walking poles as these help support your knees going up and downhill and can help with stability.
What can I do to protect the coast?
Do not pick flora or fauna
Avoid disturbing wildlife by touching, feeding or making loud noise and keep your distance unless they approach you
Take all litter with you and dispose of properly and if you see any litter that isn’t yours pick it up and take it with you
Wear suncream that is either biodegradable or reef safe
Do not land on beaches where mother seals are nursing their pups (1st August to end of November)
CAMPER VANS AND MOTORHOMES
Unfortunately, sleeping in your vehicle overnight is not permitted within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This includes no overnight sleeping in lay-bys, roadside or car parks. You will find ‘no overnight camping’ signs in most of the council car parks, smaller car parks may not have visible signs but you risk a fine if you do not comply. Wild camping is not permitted, this includes sleeping in a tent or campervan and is prohibited in Wales unless you have landowner’s permission.
There are plenty of beautiful campsites to choose from and we stayed at St Petrox campsite which is a small family run campsite located close to Stackpole Quay and Barafundle Bay. There are toilets, showers, washroom facilities, electrical hook up and a chemical disposal point.
What are the best things to do in Pembrokeshire National Park?
The coastline offers a great variety of activities and places to explore that you will want to keep coming back to explore more. As with all coastal activities you will need to check the local tidal times. The tidal times are the time in the day the tide will be high and low, in some cases this might mean the beach at low tide has plenty of sand to explore but at high tide there might be no beach left at all. Tidal times change throughout the year and is not the same time every day which means it is very important to check the tidal times especially on non-lifeguarded beaches as you should take extra care. Before you set off on your hike, we would recommend that you search for the tidal times online on the met office. Please remember to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water and food with you.
Barafundle Bay
Barafundle Bay is an award winning sheltered and secluded cove on the southern coast of Pemrokeshire National Park. The beach is renowned for it’s beautiful golden sand and crystal clear water and has received the best beach in the world award. Barafundle Bay is only accessible by a 10 minute walk from Stackpole Quary National Trust car park and does involve climbing down steep steps to the beach. You can also access from Broadhaven south beach which is from the other direction and is a lovely scenic walk taking around 45 minutes.
Trees line the cove and come right up to the beach which provide some shelter and if you walk up the path into the trees it provides a spectacular view of the beach. The water is usually calm as a result of the sheltering limestone headlands and make it a family friendly beach perfect for a swim. On a calm day, the beach provides a great location to kayak or paddle board with plenty of coastline to explore including the natural stone arch near Stackpole Head and is known for wildlife spotting including dolphins, seals and breeding seabirds. As this beach is only accessible by foot there are no toilets, please ensure you leave it as you found it and take all your rubbish and everything you brought back with you.
Where to park: Stackpole Quay National Trust car park. No toilets or facilities are on Barafundle Bay. The car park has a tea room and toilets.
Stackpole Quay
Stackpole Quay is a small harbour that was purpose built for the nearby limestone quarries and now is the centre of coasteering adventures. The Quay has a gentle slope which makes it ideal to launch your kayak, paddle board or yourself onto your adventure along the coastline. The limestone rock dominant in this landscape has some great examples of geological structures and formations.
Coasteering was born in Pembrokeshire, invented by surfers and has become a popular adventure sport where you can get up close to the coast and discover hidden spots unaccessible by foot. It should always be done with a guide as they will be able to you get the most out of the experience. You will be provided with a wetsuit, bouyancy aid, helmet and you should bring old trainers or water shoes that have good grip as the rocks can be sharp.
We really enjoyed coasteering from Stackpole Quay with Activity Pembrokeshire. It was an unforgettable experience where we jumped off rocks, swam through caves and spotted wildlife. Our guide was fun and made sure we were looked after and taught us interesting information on the local area and wildlife. This will be an experience you won’t forget and would highly recommend it.
Where to park: Stackpole Quay National Trust car park
Freshwater West
Freshwater West is an incredible sandy and pebble beach backed by large sand dunes and has some of the best waves in the area which makes it popular with surfers and bodyboarders. The beach is almost a mile long in length and can experience strong rip tide currents. RNLI Lifeguards operate on the beach daily from 19 June to 5 September.
The beach was used as a filming location in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for the scene of Dobby’s Shell Cottage and grave. You will find a memorial of pebbles for Dobby where people have brought all sorts of memorabilia in his memory.
Where to park: Car parks along the B4319
Tenby
The beautiful, pastel-coloured houses of Tenby make this place a picture-perfect postcard. The town has a number of beaches to choose from and a picturesque town centre where a leisurely stroll with ice cream will always be a good idea.
There are plenty of spots to explore in the town including a castle that gets isolated at high tide, a RNLI lifeboat station and the old one was restored and featured on grand designs. North Beach has stunning views across to the castle and a great view of the coloured houses lining the streets. South Beach is a longer and wider beach with plenty of room to run around and play games.
Caldey Island is a short boat ride away, where you can spot seabirds and discover small beaches. Tenby is a great location for walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the route to Saundersfoot is a popular choice. We’d recommend getting fish and chips and finding a spot to eat them in the harbour which is a great scenic spot.
Where to park: North Beach Pay and Display Car Park and Rectory Pay and Display Car Park
Green Bridge of Wales
A limestone arch named the Green Bridge of Wales is a must-see when visiting the Pembrokeshire coast. The arch is located on a military base and before visiting check it is open to the public as it can be closed for firing practice. You can check the online firing notices on the gov website or alternatively call the Castlemartin Range 01646 662367 or Pembroke Visitor Centre 01437 776499.
There is a car park located at the end of a single-track lane that has passing places. The path from the car park is easy to walk along to the viewing platform, however do keep away from the edge as it was very windy when we visited. The Green Bridge is located near St Govan’s Head and not far from Barafundle Bay and Broadhaven Beach. Elegug Stacks are a short walk from Green Bridge and are signposted at the car park. You will find many nesting seabirds nearby and we also spotted some baby grey seals.
Where to park: There is a free car park that is a decent size for larger vehicles including vans and motorhomes and overnight parking is not allowed and there are no toilet facilities. The Green Bridge of Wales postcode is SA71 5EB.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a great way to discover the coast by foot, where you can find hidden beautiful beaches, search the ocean for sea life and awe in the jaw dropping views. There are many easy and accessible routes of the path which makes it suitable for most with little experience or fitness. Popular scenic routes along the path include; Stackpole to Barafundle, St Davids peninsular and Solva.
