Pembrokeshire Coast

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The 583 sq km Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the smallest of Wales' three national parks. It consists of a breathtaking rugged coastline with superb sandy beaches.

Many people come here to walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which hugs the coast for over 300km between Poppit Sands and Amroth. It can take up to 15 days to walk the complete path, but many people split it into more manageable sections and hike each part separately.

There are several towns around the park that are worth visiting. These include Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Pembroke and St Davids.

Practical Information

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Winch Lane, Haverfordwest

Tel (01437) 764636

Website www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk

Accommodation

There are quite a number of youth hostels scattered around the park, which are popular places for people walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to stay.

Broad Haven YHA

Broad Haven (11km from Haverfordwest), Pembrokeshire SA62 3JH
Tel 0870 770 5728

Millennium Hostel

Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0PN
Tel (01646) 651270

Caerhafod Lodge

Llanrhian, Near St David's, Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA62 5BD
Bus 411
Tel (01348) 837859

Manorbier YHA

Manorbier (about halfway between Manorbier and Tenby), Pembrokeshire SA70 7TT
Bus First 349 (stop: Skrinkle) Train Manorbier
Tel (01834) 871 803 or 0870 770 5954

Marloes Sands YHA

Runwayskiln, Marloes, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 3BH
Tel (01646) 636 667 or 0870 770 5958

Newport (Trefdraeth) YHA

Lower St Mary Street, Newport (Trefdraeth), Pembrokeshire SA42 0TS
Bus 412
Tel (01239) 820 080 or 0870 770 6072

Tycanol Farm Camping Barn

Tycanol Farm, Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0ST
Tel (01239) 820264

YHA Poppit Sands

Sea View, Poppit, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire SA43 3LP
Tel 0870 770 5996

St Davids YHA

Llaethdy, Whitesands, St David's, Pembrokeshire SA62 6PR
Tel (01437) 720 345 or 0870 770 6042

Pwyll Deri YHA

Castell Mawr, Trefasser, near Goodwick, Pembrokeshire SA64 0LR
Tel (01348) 891 385 or 0870 770 6004

Old School Hostel

Ffordd-yr-Afon, Trefin, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 5AU
Tel (01348) 831 800

Pembroke (Penfro)

This walled town is a pleasant spot with quaint medieval streets and a 14th century castle. Ferries to Rosslare, Ireland departs from the port 2½km from here.

Practical Information

Pembroke Tourist Information Centre

Commons Road, Pembroke

Tel (01646) 622388

Website www.visitwales.com

Open summer 10am-5.30pm daily

Pembroke Dock Tourist Information Centre

Ferry Terminal, Pembroke Dock

Tel (01646) 622753

Website www.visitwales.com

Open summer 11am-3pm daily

Coming & Going

Pembroke's train station is located on Lower Lamphey Road and has several­ trains a day to Swansea and Cardiff. Eastbound buses stop outside the Somerfield supermarket and westbound buses stop at the castle.

Irish Ferries (tel (08705) 329543; website www.irishferries.com) sail between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, Ireland.

Accommodation

The closest hostel to Pembroke is the YHA hostel 11km away in Manorbier.

Sights

Pembroke Castle

This massive fortress was the birthplace of Henry VII and its Norman keep offers lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

St Davids (Tyddewi)

With a population of 1700, St Davids is Britain's smallest city. It was the home of Wales' patron saint and it is here that St David established a church in the sixth century. This tiny city has great historical significance among the Welsh and its cathedral is considered by many to be the country's finest.

Practical Information

National Park Visitor Centre

The Grove, St Davids

Tel (01437) 720392

Open winter Mon-Sat 10am-4pm; summer 9.30am-5.30pm daily

Accommodation

Sights

Bishop's Palace

Bishop Thomas Bek and Bishop Henry Gower built this palace in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is located near the cathedral and there is an exhibition centre on the site.

Tel (01437) 720517

Admission £2.50 (£2 students)

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm; 1 Apr-1 Jun 9.30am-5pm daily; 2 Jun-28 Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; 29 Sep-26 Oct 9.30am-5pm daily; 27 Oct-31 Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm

St Non's Chapel

The ruins of this small chapel are located just under a kilometre south of St Davids. It was built on the site of the birthplace of St David to commemorate St Non, the traditional mother of St David.

Admission free

Always open

St Davids Cathedral

Many people consider this to be Wales' finest cathedral. The 12th century cathedral contains the bones of St David and St Justinian.

Website www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk

Admission free; tours £3

Tours Jul-Aug Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 2.30pm

Fishguard (Abergwaun)

Most travellers visit this seaside town to catch the ferry across the Irish Sea to Rosslare, Ireland. Fishguard also makes a good base for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Practical Information

Fishguard Harbour Tourist Information Centre

Ocean Lab, The Parrog, Goodwick, Fishguard

Tel (01348) 872037

Website www.visitwales.com

Open winter 10am-4pm daily; summer 10am-5pm daily

Fishguard Town Tourist Information Centre

Town Hall, The Square, Fishguard

Tel (01348) 873484

Website www.visitwales.com

Open winter Mon-Sat 10am-4pm; summer 10am-5.30pm daily

Coming and Going

Stena Line ferries (tel (08705) 707 070; website www.stenaline.com) between Fishguard and Rosslare, Ireland.

Local Transport

Fishguard is a small place and the only bus you're likely to need is bus 410, which operates a shuttle service between the harbour and the town centre.

Accommodation

Hamilton Backpackers Lodge

21-23 Hamilton Street, Fishguard SA65 9HL
Tel (01348) 874 797