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Pembrokeshire Coast Path
by: Henry Stedman & Jim Manthorpe
UPDATES
Updated information
Thank you to readers who sent in updated information including Mrs Susan Milner, Brian Andrews, Max Page, Holger Laufer, Phil Badcock, Paul Drinkwater, Mike Davies, Cris Carter, Shaun and Ann Mundy, David Heycock, Maria Aach, Gisela Kusche, Susan Taylor, Clive Thundercliffe, Pam and Stephen Turner, John Cabot, Philip Scriver,Trudi Byers, Uwe Woskobojnik, Stefanie Wolter and Axel Borchmann, Sabrina Bergemann.
The information has not yet been checked by Trailblazer but it will be for the next edition.
Updates for the 6th edition
p129, Map 31 and p130, Milford Haven. BELHAVEN HOUSE HOTEL has closed.
Updates for the 5th edition
September 2020
p92 Manorbier – Awelon (Manorbier, manorbierbedandbreakfast.co.uk) B&B has ceased trading as a B&B.
July 2018
p102 Castlemartin. Castlemartin Community Cafe, Pound House, Community Village Hall, Castlemartin SA71 5HN. Tel: 07787 706061only open at weekends and bank holiday Mondays. Tea, coffee, cold drinks, soup, filled rolls, scones etc.
p200 Newport. Steeple View Bed & Breakfast and Retreat, Church Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire SA42 0PH. A quiet location in the heart of Newport. Has two brand new refurbished comfortable airy double, ensuite bedrooms, and there is garage parking for one car and free street parking. Tel: 01239 821553. http://steepleviewpembrokeshire.co.uk
June 2018
p102, Merrion. Another B&B option is St Govan's Country Inn, Bosherston, p99
p110, Angle. Another B&B option is Pennys Place found on aribnb.
p178, Trefin. Segrwyd Cabin B&B, Trefin, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 5BA. Very close to the path. Tel: 01348 831686, www.segrwyd.co.uk.
p150, Little Haven. Corner House Cafe, 2, St Brides Road, Little Haven, Pembrokeshire SA62 3UN. Next to the Swan Inn. Recommended by walkers, does good cakes and cream teas.
p170 Whitesands Bay. For walkers looking for alternative accommodation to the St. David's youth hostel or who can't book a bed there, you can stay in beautiful St. David's, which is a short walk. Alternatively you can use the bus from the car park at Whitesands bay that leaves in front of the cafe. The shop at the youth hostel does not offer a variety of food - though it is friendly and well run - you can fall back on their instant soups, teabags, bottled water and ice cream.
p179 Trefin. The Ship Inn offers good vegetarian and even vegan opions. The owner is vegan.
p180 Trefin to Pwill Deri. Some walkers report this section takes 4 1/2 hours. At Pwill Deri youth hostel they leave a door to a toilet and tap open, when there is no one around - just in case you might be in need.
p30, Cash machines. For foreign walkers all cashpoints or cash machines on the way leaving Milford Haven until you reach St. David's are not useable, if you hold a foreign bank card. So foreign walkers should be prepared to have enough cash, before leaving Milford Haven.
p178 Trefin - Cranog B&B
This B&B has 3 ensuite rooms, offering a range of options from single, double, twin and king sized beds. Prices range from £70.00 to £85.00 per room, to include a full breakfast. The owners add: 'We can also provide pick-ups and drop-offs for walkers as a complementary service to those who choose to stay for more than 1 night ( otherwise, we make a small charge, just to cover our fuel costs). Some guests choose to use us as a base, and we take them to a variety of drop off and pick up points of their choice. Packed lunches are available, even at short notice. We offer a laundry service and have facilities to dry wet jackets, boots etc. In fact, we’re generally flexible, lateral thinkers who enjoy the challenge of providing an individual service.'
Tel 07970 497627; 01348 831507 cranog@icloud.com paulheatherbrown@btinternet.com cranogbandb.co.uk
Cranog,1 Abercastle Rd, Trefin, Pembrokeshire SA62 5AR
January 2018
p102 Merrion. The Old Smithy B&B has closed.
September 2017
p204 Maps 73-78 Moylgrove. A walker sends the following feedback and suggestion of an alternative route. "The stretch from Moylgrove, if travelling southwards, toward Witch's Cauldron can be a bit scary. When damp, the down hill cliff edge transitions are slippery, and to be frank, not exactly enjoyable. It was lucky the B&B host had mentioned the existence of an exit path just after Witch's Cauldron. Beyond the Cauldron is a warning sign, noting the next 7 miles can be dangerous. At this point you have the option to climb the stile, and take an alternate route through the fields, and down the road to Newport. Closer to Newport you can take the right fork in the road to the beach, to travel the last kilometre or so, on the path into Newport."
July 2017
p146 Marloes. Camille's Pizza and Pasta is a takeaway in the village (SA62 3BE). They make homebaked pizzas and pastas from Thursday to Saturday 5PM - 8PM.
May 2017
p92 Manorbier. Brynteg Bed and Breakfast, 17 Warlows Meadow, Manorbier, Tenby SA70 7TG. Tel: 01834 871302 (between 10am to 10pm only), Mobile: 07970 858916. www.manorbier.net
p139 Dale. The Moorings Restaurant has closed.
Updates for the 4th edition
January 2017
p75 Saundersfoot. Coppet Hall now has a Beach Centre (opened in 2014), which offers toilets, changing area, showers and a kiosk. Upstairs is the excellent Coast restaurant, open daily in summer noon-2:30pm & 6:30-9:30pm. Enjoy a wide-ranging menu of seafood, local produce and vegetarian dishes, as well as a marvelous view of the ocean. Tel: 01834 810800; www.coastsaundersfoot.co.uk
p85 Tenby to Manorbier Bay. MoD Penally opening times are posted in advance at www.gov.uk/government/collections/firing-notice, but are subject to change; call 01834 845950 for latest information.
p96 Broad Haven to Merrion. MoD Castlemartin is usually open Sat-Sun in summer, but you should always check. Opening times are posted in advance at www.gov.uk/government/collections/firing-notice, but are subject to change; call 01646 662367 after 8:15am for daily update.
p133-134, map p135 and box on p130 Sandy Haven Pill. The stepping stones were replaced in Feb. 2015 with a new, higher and more stable crossing, which can be crossed within three hours of low tide. (See http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/pembrokeshire-coast-path/news/sandy-haven-crossing-reopens)
p134 St Ishmael's. Monk Haven B & B now has six rooms (4K/1D/1T, all en-suite with patios, £70 to £135/room). Breakfast includes homemade preserves.
p138 Dale. Griffin Inn now has an extensive and delicious locally-sourced menu, including the daily catch from their own boat. Mains £9-£25.
p164 St David's. Bishops Pub (sister to the nearby Farmers Arms) opened in 2014 on Cross Square. Open 11am-midnight; lunch noon-2:30pm; dinner 6pm-9:30pm. Hearty pub grub.
September 2016
p188 Goodwick. The Ferry Boat (0134 874747; www.ferryboat inn.co.uk) not only offers B&B accommodation but also a “lite bite menu” for walkers requiring supper.
June 2016
p150 Broad Haven. Galleon Inn is boarded up and looking in need of some serious renovation.(May). It’s a shame as it is the only traditional pub here, and Little Haven, a short distance away, is well served with three pubs, all of which appeared to be open.
Clive stayed at Anchor Guesthouse which he highly recommended.
August 2015
Angle, Pembroke. Angle Bay B&B opened in April 2015. Angle Bay B&B, Kilnback, Angle Village, Angle, Pembroke SA71 5AN. Tel: 01646 641394, 07974 213360. www.anglebay.co.uk
9 July 2014
Saundersfoot. The Tourist Information Centre is closed; it may be temporary but it was empty on 3rd June.
West Angle Bay. Wavecrest, a new cafe due to open soon but not open yet on 5th June.
Public transport on Sundays. If you're planning to use public transport for your trip to and along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path please be aware that some Sunday services for trains and buses have been reduced or cut.
11 September 2013
p139 Dale. The Boathouse Cafe and shop is open daily from 10am-5pm; it opens at Easter and closes at the end of September.
25 July 2013
p84. Tenby. No. 25 Cafe no longer has internet facilities. But there is free internet access in the Libary.
p108 Angle. The Hibernia Inn is very good! They have a new menu and they had home-made pizza and also home-made chips. (rec by Maria)
p136. Map 35. Monk Haven. Monk Haven B&B, Monk Haven Manor, St Ishmaels, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 3TH has a little house with a sofa and even a little kitchen and jacuzzi! (rec by Maria) www.monkhaven.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1646 636216
p134. St. Ishmaels. The Brook Inn doesn't have its own ale any longer.
11 July 2013
p 102, Map 15, Castlemartin. Golden Plover Art Gallery is open seven days a week 10am until late, Their phone number is 01646 661707/ 07787706061 and the website address is: www.thegoldenploverartgallery.co.uk
June 2011
page 182, Trefin, The Ship Inn. Mrs Milner and her son ate here and report the food was superb, the portion sizes were just right, and the whole meal was a pleasant experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
New coastal footpath
A 4½ mile coastal footpath has been opened (July 2010) from Pendine to Amroth. Being in Carmarthenshire it is not part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path but it links to it. It is now possible to walk along the Welsh coast from Ynyslas (Ceredigion) to Pendine (Carmarthenshire) by way of Ceredigion Coast Path, Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the new 4½ mile coast path from Amroth to Pendine. A coastal path around the whole of Wales is hoped to be in place by 2013.
June 2011
Map 50 (p.161): the Post Office in Solva is not as shown; it is on the north side of the main through road on the junction of the side road to the northwest of the position indicated.
Little Haven (p152): Services “For…a post office you will need to carry on to Broad Haven…”. Where to stay “Down in the centre of the village, near the post office…”. These two statements are plainly contradictory; I believe the first one is correct.
2. Suggested Places to Stay
a)Abercastle: I stayed at Garn Isaf (Anne Hirst 01348 831898 www.garnisaf.com), which offers b&b (and an evening meal in the summer months), self catering and camping. I was there on a b&b basis, where, for £40.00 I had a large room with en suite facilities, an excellent breakfast, a lift to and from the pub at Mathry for my evening meal and a sandwich to take on my way the next day – excellent value! It also is offers a tremendous advantage to the medium pace walker over the suggested stopping point of Trefin, in that it evens out the two days from Whitesands Bay to Fishguard to distances of 14.5 and 17 miles, as opposed to your suggested 11.5 and 20 miles. Personally speaking, I found the stretch between Goodwick and Abercastle extremely taxing and I would not have welcomed a further three miles.
b)Dale: I stayed at Broadside (Cath Gandee 01646 636492 www.broadsidedale.co.uk) where I had a large room with en suite facilities and a good breakfast for £35.00.
Comments on the walk
a)Difficulty: “This is not a technically difficult walk and most reasonably fit people should be able to tackle it without any problems.” (p.9). I really think this understates what the northern section, in particular, is like. I regularly walk 15 – 20 miles in the South Downs, not big hills admittedly but quite steep on the northern escarpment in Sussex, so I am not unused to ascents and descents but this was much more arduous. Some of the rises in Pembrokeshire seemed more akin to rock-climbing than walking to me, whilst I often found problems with where to put my feet on some of the steep drops (and I am a six foot man). I had a 15kg pack on my back and, even in the fine weather that I was lucky enough to experience, found the ups and downs near the cliff edge quite scary; had it been wet and windy I am not sure I would have cared to carry on.
b) Direction: Whilst I take the point that walking south to north allows one to build up for the more arduous terrain in the north, I was pleased to be going in the other direction and having the psychological cushion that tomorrow was likely to be a little easier than today; I really would not have liked it the other way round.
22 August 2011
p. 104: "The Old Smithy" doesn't do camping anymore. This is crucial to know, as - according to guide - there are NO alternatives for camping around whatsoever! Owner told me to go wild camping at Freshwater West Beach, which seemed feasible to me, however as I had run out of supplies I had to go to Angle by Coastal Cruiser Bus. It's worth noticing that there's a water tap on the right just behind the small gate of St. Mary's Church in Warren.
p. 99, map, p. 101: There is a big camping field in Bosherston, which is not in your guide. Coming up from the coast (firing range closed) you pass the small shop and then Bosherston Church on your right. Then, no more than some 100 m behind "Cornerstones B&B" on your left, there are two adjoining fields and a sign "camping". There were a handful of tents and portable toilets on the far end of the field, but no reception. Seemed free of charge or "honesty box-based".
p. 211 map, p. 212: There's a campsite (tents & campervans only) in a field opposite the RNLI-lifeboat station in Poppit Sands next to "seasonal café" and car park which should be added to the guide, as it's a most convenient place to stay the last night if departing by bus to Cardigan. "Facilities" are, I suppose, the public toilets right next to the lifeboat station.
p. 84, Box, Boat trips cost £11/6 GBP.
p. 110: Castle Farm Campsite charges £4.00 GBP per person
p. 148: Foxdale camping charges £6.00 GBP per person.
p. 194: Fishguard Bay Caravan & Camping Park: Price is £10.50 GBP for one person in a tent. Campers have access to a nice common room with TV and hot beverages from a machine. This was the only opportunity in two weeks for me to watch the television weather forecast.
24 August 2011
page 153, Broad Haven, There is a temporary campsite at Trefalyn Farm, nr Bosherton.
page 104, Merrion. There is NO camping anymore – however, you can camp at Castlemartin - it's a CCC (Camping & Caravanning Club) site on the right as you leave the village – cold water only (public toilet in village) - £4 pp.
page 127, Neyland and Hakin. There are public toilets on the route at both – the frequency of public toilets along the route (excepting the stretch from Newport Sands to Poppit Sands) meant that I was able to limit the amount of water carried to 1.5 ltrs – a great weight saving.
page 142, Dale. There is a CCC camping site.
page 147, Martin’s Haven. West Hook Farm, there are two access points for the farm from the trail itself – both on the northern side.
page 165, Caerfai Bay. The pub has now closed completely, though it's a short walk in to St David’s where the Farmers Arms provided a huge meal – I requested some vegetables (extra to the listed meal) and offered to pay more – they very kindly provided a pie dish heaped with peas, at no extra cost.
page 191, Goodwick. No 10 Cafe has now closed; however, there is a good cafe next to Tesco’s on the promenade.
page 200, Parrog. Morawelon Coffee Shop also offers camping and the site is now well established with excellent showers (50p); £6 pp.
12 September 2011
page 104, Merrion,The Old Smithy does not take campers in their garden any more. I went a little further to Castlemartin where a farm called Croft Farm Barn accepts campers for a fiver. One toilet and shower room. On map 15 it is just past the church road (2nd church that is noted) and post office, past the last buildings on the right on the main road as you leave Castlemartin towards the beach.
15 February 2012
Angle, Pembrokeshire.The Hibernia Inn, offers B & B. Currently they have one room but are hoping to have another up and running shortly.
Tel: 01646 641517. www.thehibernia.co.uk .
March 2012
P 186, Strumble Head. Geoff Turner & Beth Saunders run a B&B close to the path: Garn Fach, Llanwnda, Goodwick SA64 0HU. Tel: 01348 873161. www.strumblebandb.co.uk
May 2012
St Dogmaels, page 214. Argo Villa B&B, Poppit Road,St Dogmaels,Cardigan,Pembrokeshire SA43 3LF.welcome@argovilla.co.uk
tel: 01239 613031
Oriel Milgi B&B , Telynfa,High Street, St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire SA43 3EF. Tel: +44 (0)1239 612556. Mobile: 07528 670911. email: oriel.milgi@btinternet.com
Plas Newydd B&B, Tel: 01239 615358
Lemon Tree Tea Room & Gallery,High Street, Norwood, St. Dogmaels SA43 3EJ, Tel: 01239 615321
Deli Delights. Tel: 01239 621002. Tea room and shop.
8 May 2012
Whitesands Bay. The water tap has moved from the lifeguard station to outside the toilets at the other end of the car park.
Herbrandston / Sandy Haven. Fields Lodge B&B. Depending on one's itinerary and tides for the pill crossing it could be a useful stopping point as there are not many alternatives in that area.
9 May 2012
p 191. Goodwick. Garn Fach B&B (www.strumblebandb.co.uk) just up the hill from Goodwick. Left at 9.30am and arrived at Old School Hostel, Trevin at 4.30pm. It's a great place to start the walk as you can miss out the ugly stroll through the ferry terminal and instead enjoy the view from the nearby neolithic burial chamber Garnwnda (which is interesting in its own right and could be seen from our bedroom window). It was £70 for double room including a warm welcome and slice of homemade cake, wonderful cooked breakfast, friendly hosts and numerous seating areas including, garden, sun room (view towards lighthouse) and sitting room with log burner. I believe it only has two ensuite rooms for guests both ensuite. About 20-30 minutes from memorial stone on carreg wasted point. Beth Saunders & Geoff Turner, Garn Fach, Llanwnda, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire SA64 0HU. Phone: 01348 873161 Email: stay@strumblebandb.co.uk
Opening hours. At this time of year some places might not be on summer opening hours, for example in Portgain the Sloop Inn not serving breakfasts and surf shop at Whitesands closing at 3pm not 5pm.
29 May 2012
Milford Haven. Fields Lodge B&B, Middlekilns Lane, Herbrandston SA73 3TE. Contact Jayne Hancock on Tel: 07740 699871 or 01646 697732. eMail: info@fieldslodge.co.uk
26 June 2012
page 168, St David's, The Coach House. Do serve breakfast. Rates start at £30 per person low season to £45 per person high season.
11 July 2012
p. 74, Kilgetty to Amroth. Colby Woodland Garden, a National Trust property, is nearby and you can spend a pleasant hour or so there.
p 80. Saundersfoot. Cliff House – the couple who ran it were extremely welcoming, the room was comfortable and the breakfast was excellent. It has a new website address – cliffhousebbsaundersfoot.co.uk
p 94. Manorbier. Awelon B&B. http://www.manorbierbedandbreakfast.co.uk/
p 104. Castelmartin. The firing range is almost always closed - although the book already encourages people to phone ahead.
p 104. Caslemartin. The post office is now the Old Post Office, a self-catering cottage for rent.
p 110. West Angle Bay. The Wavecrest Cafe was closed – the impression we got was that it was unlikely to reopen;
p. 112. Angle. The Old Point House served great fish and chips.
p 112. Angle. We found that, for the most part, the oil refineries were not too intrusive; and we would have regretted it if we had cut out 30 or so miles and therefore not have completed the full Coast Path route;
page 125. Map 27. The Roxana Guesthouse is located on Victoria Road, to the west of the intersection with Pembroke Street (not as shown on the map).
page 129. Map 30. The Blackbridge Drive route now seems to be the official route;
page 144. Musselwick Sands. The picnic bench mentioned at the southern end of the bay and used to identify the paths leading to the beach and to Marloes appears to have gone.
p 209. Cemaes Head. There were about 70 seals on a beach on the approach to and apparently, they are regularly seen there;
p 214. St Dogmaels. We stayed here and were glad we did so, because it still had the feel of the Coast path (which Cardigan does not). There are several B&Bs. We stayed at the recently opened Oriel Milgi – which was beautifully decorated, friendly and provided a very good breakfast: www.orielmilgi.co.uk
17 September 2012
St David's. The Refectory and The Bench have stopped doing evening meals.
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