Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Things to Do

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A sheltered, black shingle and pebble beach with the picturesque Blue Lagoon on the cliffs nearby.
It's a great place to visit, when you get fed up of the beach, have a walk along the cliff to the blue pool of the lagoon. It's the remnants of a slate quarry, full of sea water from the opening made at one end . It forms a sheltered harbour for small craft and is a popular place with divers. You are advised against jumping in owing to under-water rock ledges. We sat watching a group of youngsters swimming. I really didn't fancy trying!!!
There are a few bits of old quarry buildings about and much evidence of the past industry. We thought it a fascinating place.
The whole area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with volcanic and sedimentary rock being home to wonderful fossils, making it a geologist's paradise.
There's a carpark behind the beach and toilets. I expect there'll be an ice-cream van or two to be seen here on good days.

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Bosherston Lily ponds are a nature reserve formed by the Stackpole Estate in the 18th and 19th centuries, by damming and flooding three valleys.
The best time to see the lilies in all their glory is in June, so we were told. We were in September so not so good.
The whole place is full of waterfowl, we particularly noted moorhens and a heron (which we weren't sure whether it was real). The lily ponds are also a known spot for sighting otters but again, we were out of luck.
The ponds are stocked with fish and permit fishing is allowed.
From the ponds you can walk to the lovely sand beach of Broadhaven south, (not to be confused with Broadhaven west of Haverfordwest) or park on the headland above and walk down the steps from there.The beach is popular with families and is backed by sand dunes. Interesting cliffs surround the bay and from the beach you can see church rock, in the bay.
The whole Stackpole Estate, with Lily ponds and beaches, is owned by the National Trust, which means paying to park!!!
Another link to the place is:http://www.coastalcottages.co.uk/beach_details.asp?id=66

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This 186 mile (300kms) path skirts the coast of Pembrokeshire through the National Park from just outside Cardigan on the north coast, to just past Tenby on the south coast...

It is a beautiful and rugged path through a real wilderness in the north, to vast expanses of sandy beaches in the west and small secluded bays amongst the cliffs in the south.

There are plenty of opportunities for rest and recuperation along the way, as well as a number of transport hubs and supporting bus services if you want to cherry pick the parts of the trail that you want to walk if time is of an essence...

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My first visits to Cornwall, England , Pembrokeshire, Wales and Finistere, France were made within about 5 years of each other in the early 1960s. The similarities in topography, history, culture and language that binds these places together is quite remakable. An old friend, a Welsh scholar and academic, travelled extensivly in Bretagne for 25 years after WW2 and conversed easily with older Bretons - each speaking in their own language.

All three of these Celtic lands remain high on my list of favourite destinations. The significant factor that binds them is their remote, end of the world appeal, shared Celtic heritage - the saints, Tristan and Isolde, and a wealth of prehistoric remains - cromlechs and dolmen, standing stones, burial chambers and iron age forts - like Chysauster in Cornwall and Castell Henllys in North Pembrokshire.
Even the great stones of Stonehenge originated in the Prescelli hills of Pembrokeshire.

Here, just outside Newport, is Pentre Ifan a megalithic site dating from the Bronze-Age, circa 4000 B.C.
It is said to be one of the finest sites of its kind and period, and sits atop a hillside across the valley where the Iron Age Fort of Castell Henllys can be seen.

Now in the care of CADW, the Heritage body for Wales, it is an open site all year with free admission.
Access/Times

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When we first visited Castell Henllys, in the mid 1980s, it was a privately owned site. Archeological excavations had revealed its historic importance and there was local concern from neighbouring farmers, residents of Newport and other villages about plans to create a theme park here.
When the owner died in 1991 concern about the future increased.
Happily the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park took it over.
The interest already shown by university Archeological, History and Geography Departments increased.
Finance for the development of tourism and creation of local employment became available following the closure of defence sites and the loss of many jobs in the area.

Today Castell Henllys is mult-faceted - an on-going site for research, and exploration; an excellent Visitor Attraction also providing educational visits for school children, and older students, from all over the UK and abroad.
It has also been of special appeal to some of the New Age dwellers who, drawn by the remote beauty and Celtic origins of the land, have made their homes in West Wales.

Located on a peaceful, wooded hillside, with beautiful views it also fulfills one of the aims of the National Parks of Great Britain to "be the lungs of the nation". In the adjoining woods nature trails and leisure walks can be taken - follow the signs.

The following site has a good interactive section that gives a "virtual tour" of the fort.

http://castellhenllys.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/english/tour/tour.htm

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In early summer it is often possible to catch enough mackerel (just out in the Bay off Parrog )to make a hearty supper - best cooked fresh on the barbecue.
On a calm, sunny day it's a very pleasant way to spend a few hours in a lovely place with a book - as I'm not that good with a line!

For information about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and about boat moorings see

http://www.pcnpa.org.uk/website/default.asp?sid=852&NID=421&InITAPP=True

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A visit to St Govan's Head (about a mile from the village of Bosherston) is well worth the trip. Not only are there fantastic views but at the foot of a cliff a narrow path leads you down to St Govan's Chapel - a 6th century hermit's chapel used by St Govan - an Irish holy man. It's a deeply spiritual place, even if you aren't particularly religious. After the walk you can quench your thirst at The St Govan's Inn (the Adnams is particularly drinkable) or get some hearty food - ideal!

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St. David's is Great Britain's smallest city,( definition being town with a cathedral) and by gum, it is small. You wonder how all the crowds who visit the place manage to find room to manouvre.
St. David is the patron saint of Wales and the founder of the 6thc. monastery which was replaced by today's cathedral. Pilgrimages have always been made here.
Today, festivals are held and the town is crowded with visitors viewing the cathedral.
It is an impressive piece of architecture in pretty surroundings. I remember being very impressed with the ornate ceiling.
The city itself has the odd pub where we had an interesting lunch of buckwheat seafood pancakes. There are some interesting shops and we were lucky? enough to be there when a "seconds" sale was being held in the village hall.
St. David's most popular beach, Whitesands Bay, is just to the north west on the B4583. There is a carpark (charge) and toilets. It's a huge beach with good sand and rolling waves. Popular with fishermen, also, both from the beach and the rocks.
A mile or two to the west is St. Justinian, nothing more than a lifeboat station when we last visited. From here, there are boat trips to nearby Ramsey Island.
Just south of St. David's is St. Non'sBay, apparently where St. Non gave birth to St. David.
To the east of here is Carfai Bay, another of St. David's fine beaches. See tips.