Jennie's Guidebook

Sightseeing

Llys y Fran Country Park & Reservoir

Recently benefitting from a 4 million pounds refurbishment, Llys Y Fran Lake is now well worth a visit to enjoy its Visitor Centre, café, new cycle hub, mountain biking, pump skills area, walking trails, water and land activities, fishing and adventure playground. A beautifully picturesque trail leads you right around the lake (approximately 9 miles) on foot or on a bike, with optional trails leading off for the intrepid mountain bikers.

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Llys y Fran Country Park & Reservoir

20 íbúar mæla með

Recently benefitting from a 4 million pounds refurbishment, Llys Y Fran Lake is now well worth a visit to enjoy its Visitor Centre, café, new cycle hub, mountain biking, pump skills area, walking trails, water and land activities, fishing and adventure playground. A beautifully picturesque trail leads you right around the lake (approximately 9 miles) on foot or on a bike, with optional trails leading off for the intrepid mountain bikers.

Preseli Hills

The Preseli Hills or, as they are known locally and historically, Preseli Mountains is a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, west Wales, mostly within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The range stretches from the proximity of Newport in the west to Crymych in the east, some 13 miles in extent. Stunning scenery and spectacular views, The Preselis have a diverse ecosystem, many prehistoric sites, and are a popular tourist destination. There are scattered settlements and small villages; the uplands provide extensive unenclosed grazing, and the lower slopes are mainly enclosed pasture. Slate quarrying was once an important industry. More recently, igneous rock is being extracted. The Preselis have Special Area of Conservation status, and there are three sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). Approximately 12 miles from Jen's Den.

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Preseli Hills

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The Preseli Hills or, as they are known locally and historically, Preseli Mountains is a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, west Wales, mostly within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The range stretches from the proximity of Newport in the west to Crymych in the east, some 13 miles in extent. Stunning scenery and spectacular views, The Preselis have a diverse ecosystem, many prehistoric sites, and are a popular tourist destination. There are scattered settlements and small villages; the uplands provide extensive unenclosed grazing, and the lower slopes are mainly enclosed pasture. Slate quarrying was once an important industry. More recently, igneous rock is being extracted. The Preselis have Special Area of Conservation status, and there are three sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). Approximately 12 miles from Jen's Den.

Newport Beach

NEWPORT SANDS, NEWPORT PEMBROKESHIRE. Also known as Traeth Mawr or Big Beach. This is the largest of the beaches at Newport with almost a mile of flat sand stretching across the bay below Newport Sands Golf Course. During the summer there is a safe swimming zone manned by lifeguards from the Newport Sands Lifesaving Club. There is ample space along the beach for all sorts of water based activities including sailing, canoeing, kayaking and more. Adventurous canoe/kayakers can find some great little secluded beaches along the cliffs that flank both sides of the bay. Fun in the sand dunes at Newport Sands Walkers can delight in the cliff top views that can be found on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Newport Sands, the cliff path can be found at the sea end of the right hand car park (if you were facing the sea) and continues on to Poppit Sands near St Dogmaels. For the less adventurous walkers, a short walk along the cliff path brings you down in to a small valley with a waterfall. This can also be found by walking along the beach during low tide, be sure to check on the tides (plus 1 hour for Newport tides) before visiting the waterfall along the beach route as you could become cut off by the rising tide. The quieter estuary side to Newport Sands Occasionally when the tides are extremely low, the remains of a petrified forest can be found at the sea edge, presumably once connected to the woodlands you can see in the distance when looking up the valley floor eastwards where the Nevern Estuary meanders its way down to meet the sea. There is a small shop in one of the car parks that sells Ice cream, lollypops pops, hot and cold drinks etc.. The beach is popular with locals and tourists alike and has ample parking space in two car parks. A parking fee is charged. Sunset at Newport Sands During the Winter months, Newport Sands can be a spectacle worth every wind blasted visitors delight. Pick a mottled cloudy day when the sun is low in the sky and the beach transforms with light casting rays across the mirror like wet sand. Traeth Mawr is popular at this time of the year with kite surfers, land yachters and wind surfers - providing hours of entertainment watching them go about their business in the howling South Westerly's. Wildlife to look out for: Swans, common egrets, gulls, oyster catchers Salmon, sewin, mullet, trout, flat fish, mackerel, pollack, dog fish Porpoises, dolphins, seals, baskin sharks Newport Sands Amenities: Car Parks Toilets Ice Cream Shop Surf Club Safe Swimming Zone Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Access Accommodation near Newport Sands: Holiday Cottages Newport Bed and Breakfasts Camping and Caravans Directions: On foot, you can cross the river at low tide at The Parrog or walk part of The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path along the north side of The Nevern Estuary. To get to Traeth Mawr by car, follow signs for Feidr Pen-Y-Bont from the main A487 just before you exit Newport heading east. Follow this road over the Iron Bridge and a mile or so later take the next left turn and follow this road down past Newport Golf Club, it will bring you down to the car parks at Newport Sands. Newport sands is approximately 13 miles north east from Jen's Den.

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Newport Beach

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NEWPORT SANDS, NEWPORT PEMBROKESHIRE. Also known as Traeth Mawr or Big Beach. This is the largest of the beaches at Newport with almost a mile of flat sand stretching across the bay below Newport Sands Golf Course. During the summer there is a safe swimming zone manned by lifeguards from the Newport Sands Lifesaving Club. There is ample space along the beach for all sorts of water based activities including sailing, canoeing, kayaking and more. Adventurous canoe/kayakers can find some great little secluded beaches along the cliffs that flank both sides of the bay. Fun in the sand dunes at Newport Sands Walkers can delight in the cliff top views that can be found on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Newport Sands, the cliff path can be found at the sea end of the right hand car park (if you were facing the sea) and continues on to Poppit Sands near St Dogmaels. For the less adventurous walkers, a short walk along the cliff path brings you down in to a small valley with a waterfall. This can also be found by walking along the beach during low tide, be sure to check on the tides (plus 1 hour for Newport tides) before visiting the waterfall along the beach route as you could become cut off by the rising tide. The quieter estuary side to Newport Sands Occasionally when the tides are extremely low, the remains of a petrified forest can be found at the sea edge, presumably once connected to the woodlands you can see in the distance when looking up the valley floor eastwards where the Nevern Estuary meanders its way down to meet the sea. There is a small shop in one of the car parks that sells Ice cream, lollypops pops, hot and cold drinks etc.. The beach is popular with locals and tourists alike and has ample parking space in two car parks. A parking fee is charged. Sunset at Newport Sands During the Winter months, Newport Sands can be a spectacle worth every wind blasted visitors delight. Pick a mottled cloudy day when the sun is low in the sky and the beach transforms with light casting rays across the mirror like wet sand. Traeth Mawr is popular at this time of the year with kite surfers, land yachters and wind surfers - providing hours of entertainment watching them go about their business in the howling South Westerly's. Wildlife to look out for: Swans, common egrets, gulls, oyster catchers Salmon, sewin, mullet, trout, flat fish, mackerel, pollack, dog fish Porpoises, dolphins, seals, baskin sharks Newport Sands Amenities: Car Parks Toilets Ice Cream Shop Surf Club Safe Swimming Zone Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Access Accommodation near Newport Sands: Holiday Cottages Newport Bed and Breakfasts Camping and Caravans Directions: On foot, you can cross the river at low tide at The Parrog or walk part of The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path along the north side of The Nevern Estuary. To get to Traeth Mawr by car, follow signs for Feidr Pen-Y-Bont from the main A487 just before you exit Newport heading east. Follow this road over the Iron Bridge and a mile or so later take the next left turn and follow this road down past Newport Golf Club, it will bring you down to the car parks at Newport Sands. Newport sands is approximately 13 miles north east from Jen's Den.

St. Davids dómkirkja

Since the 6th century there has been a church on this site. For the past 1500 years prayer and worship has been offered to God on a daily basis which continues to this day.

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St. Davids dómkirkja

The Pebbles

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Since the 6th century there has been a church on this site. For the past 1500 years prayer and worship has been offered to God on a daily basis which continues to this day.

Porthgain Harbour station

Porthgain is a small coastal hamlet on the north coast of St Davids Peninsula. Once a small commercial harbour used for exporting stone from the nearby quarry, Porthgain is now a very popular tourist centre thanks to a great pub, a super cafe restaurant and excellent art galleries. Add to this the superb location in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Porthgain has a winning combination.

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Porthgain Harbour station

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Porthgain is a small coastal hamlet on the north coast of St Davids Peninsula. Once a small commercial harbour used for exporting stone from the nearby quarry, Porthgain is now a very popular tourist centre thanks to a great pub, a super cafe restaurant and excellent art galleries. Add to this the superb location in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Porthgain has a winning combination.

Abereiddy Beach

Pebbles and extraordinarily dark sand made of pounded grey slate form this rural beach. The same slate gives a brilliant deep blue colour to the water in the ‘Blue Lagoon’; a beautiful little harbour – a breached quarry – just to the north of the beach which is accessible for wheelchair and scooter users. Be aware Abereiddy beach has strong currents. This is a popular spot for coasteering, climbing along the cliffs at sea level, leaping into the sea if you reach an impassable bit. Please enjoy coasteering as part of an organised group. Alongside the old quarry are a row of ruined cottages to explore.

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Abereiddy Beach

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

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Pebbles and extraordinarily dark sand made of pounded grey slate form this rural beach. The same slate gives a brilliant deep blue colour to the water in the ‘Blue Lagoon’; a beautiful little harbour – a breached quarry – just to the north of the beach which is accessible for wheelchair and scooter users. Be aware Abereiddy beach has strong currents. This is a popular spot for coasteering, climbing along the cliffs at sea level, leaping into the sea if you reach an impassable bit. Please enjoy coasteering as part of an organised group. Alongside the old quarry are a row of ruined cottages to explore.

Cardigan Bay

Cardigan has everything: ancient history, modern comforts, beautiful landscapes, and the sea just in reach. Its spirit is part old-fashioned Welsh market town, part hippy, arty enclave.

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Cardigan Bay

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Cardigan has everything: ancient history, modern comforts, beautiful landscapes, and the sea just in reach. Its spirit is part old-fashioned Welsh market town, part hippy, arty enclave.

Newgale Beach

Enormous! is the only way to describe this beach; it’s almost 2 miles of sand backed by a huge pebble bank formed after a BIG storm in 1859. Kitesurfing and surfing are popular on this beach and tuition is available. Walk right down to the southern end to find a walk-through cave and numerous sheltered bays. Cross the river, at the back of the pebble bank opposite the cafe at the north end to gain access to several low tide bays. At very low tide it’s possible to walk round to Cwm Mawr beach but keep an eye on the tide times as you don’t want to get cut off. The Duke of Edinburgh pub offers good food and a decent pint, plus there is a shop and a cafe also within a stone's throw of the beach.

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Newgale Beach

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Enormous! is the only way to describe this beach; it’s almost 2 miles of sand backed by a huge pebble bank formed after a BIG storm in 1859. Kitesurfing and surfing are popular on this beach and tuition is available. Walk right down to the southern end to find a walk-through cave and numerous sheltered bays. Cross the river, at the back of the pebble bank opposite the cafe at the north end to gain access to several low tide bays. At very low tide it’s possible to walk round to Cwm Mawr beach but keep an eye on the tide times as you don’t want to get cut off. The Duke of Edinburgh pub offers good food and a decent pint, plus there is a shop and a cafe also within a stone's throw of the beach.

Whitesands Bay

Whitesands beach Overlooked by the imposing craggy hill of Carn Llidi, this wide expanse of fine white sand curves north towards the remote rocky headland of St Davids Head. This is one of the best surfing beaches in the country and therefore very popular. The surf ‘break’ is at the northern end and on busy days there are canoeists, surfers, and bodyboarders competing for the best waves. At this end, there’s a rocky promontory to climb on. At the quieter south end, there are some nicely sheltered bays.

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Whitesands Bay

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

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Whitesands beach Overlooked by the imposing craggy hill of Carn Llidi, this wide expanse of fine white sand curves north towards the remote rocky headland of St Davids Head. This is one of the best surfing beaches in the country and therefore very popular. The surf ‘break’ is at the northern end and on busy days there are canoeists, surfers, and bodyboarders competing for the best waves. At this end, there’s a rocky promontory to climb on. At the quieter south end, there are some nicely sheltered bays.

Treffgarne

The Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk starts from by the Nant-y-Coy Mill just off the A40 between Treffgarne and Wolf’s Castle. From Nant-y-Coy mill, take the small lane that leads sharply uphill to its south. Continue up around the bend until you reach a small parking area (an alternative parking place if you want to cut off the first hill and don’t mind driving up steep narrow lanes). Opposite this the footpath leaves the lane on the left. It is marked with a sign. Follow this path. A short way on and the path splits. Take the right hand fork and start heading uphill on a narrow path through the bracken. This stretch can be a little bit challenging after wet weather (you will need shoes with grip that can also cope with a bit of mud) but it isn’t long. At the top the bracken emerges onto open hillside. The going is easy from here. Walk through the gate and head for Maiden Castle – the big outcrop of the rocks right ahead. These dramatic looking rocks also go by the name of The Lion – a good name as you will see when you walk on and look back at it – it is a perfect silhouette of a giant stone lion lying down, surveying the whole of the landscape around it. The views from the hillside here are lovely. From Maiden’s Castle you can see your next walk stop-off – the even bigger rocky outcrop of Poll Carn which is unmissable on the southern side of the rocks. Rejoin the path at the base of Maiden’s Castle as it follows flatly through the bracken to another gate. Just beyond here the path joins a wider farm track. The gateway into the field by Poll Carn is to your right. There is a footpath that leads in a loop around this field and the base of Poll Carn’s rocks which makes a nice little extra circular walk. The rocks are close enough at least to appreciate their drama from a short distance and although not as oddly shaped as those of Maiden’s Castle, they are equally dramatic with the watchful ravens perched on their peaks only adding to the mystical atmosphere. Poll Carn also has its local nicknames – it goes by titles such as ‘the teddybear’, ‘the unicorn’ and ‘wolf’s rock’. Back on the main track and with Poll Carn to your right, walk downhill. Technically the footpath meanders off on the grass to oneside but it isn’t marked or obvious and the farm track is much easier to follow. At the bottom of the hill you reach a crossroads. A track leading back to Treffgarne and its church lies to the right (an alternative starting point), another gate lies ahead and the path back heads across the grass to the left, following the waypoint. Continue across the grass and through a small gate. Continue down a grassy path lined with hedgerow, enjoying great views back up to Maiden’s Castle on your left. Eventually you come to another small intersection of paths. The return walk leads on the pathstraight ahead. If it is not overgrown then there is a small path to the right hand side here also which leads onto the iron age hill settlement at Great Treffgarne Rocks. The view is said to be really good down onto the gorge from here. Back on the main path continue straight on and back onto a narrow path leading downhill through the bracken. This path brings you back to the fork in the path at the start of the walk. Keep right and you will emerge onto the lane opposite the parking area. If you have time, I can highly recommend the reasonably priced lunch menu at nearby Wolf’s Castle Hotel. The food is superb and they offer both light bites and a fantastic set menu. Directions: The Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk is easily accessed from the A40 between Haverfordwest and Fishguard. Free parking is available in the lay-by by Nant-y-Coy Mill, which is found between the villages of Treffgarne and Wolf’s Castle. Alternatively if you want to avoid the first bit of uphill walking, drive up the small lane immediately to the south of the mill. This leads up to a small parking area opposite the footpath that marks the start of the Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk. There are regular bus services that run along the A40 but from some brief research, none of these seem to stop at the layby by Nant-y-Coy Mill. The road is fast and narrow here so unless stopping by the mill is possible (and do double check) then I wouldn’t recommend trying to walk from Treffgarne or Wolf’s Castle. Instead you could start the walk from Treffgarne village and join it along the farm track that leads back from the chuch – it’s easy to find if you have an OS Map and joins the Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk at the cross-roads.

Treffgarne

The Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk starts from by the Nant-y-Coy Mill just off the A40 between Treffgarne and Wolf’s Castle. From Nant-y-Coy mill, take the small lane that leads sharply uphill to its south. Continue up around the bend until you reach a small parking area (an alternative parking place if you want to cut off the first hill and don’t mind driving up steep narrow lanes). Opposite this the footpath leaves the lane on the left. It is marked with a sign. Follow this path. A short way on and the path splits. Take the right hand fork and start heading uphill on a narrow path through the bracken. This stretch can be a little bit challenging after wet weather (you will need shoes with grip that can also cope with a bit of mud) but it isn’t long. At the top the bracken emerges onto open hillside. The going is easy from here. Walk through the gate and head for Maiden Castle – the big outcrop of the rocks right ahead. These dramatic looking rocks also go by the name of The Lion – a good name as you will see when you walk on and look back at it – it is a perfect silhouette of a giant stone lion lying down, surveying the whole of the landscape around it. The views from the hillside here are lovely. From Maiden’s Castle you can see your next walk stop-off – the even bigger rocky outcrop of Poll Carn which is unmissable on the southern side of the rocks. Rejoin the path at the base of Maiden’s Castle as it follows flatly through the bracken to another gate. Just beyond here the path joins a wider farm track. The gateway into the field by Poll Carn is to your right. There is a footpath that leads in a loop around this field and the base of Poll Carn’s rocks which makes a nice little extra circular walk. The rocks are close enough at least to appreciate their drama from a short distance and although not as oddly shaped as those of Maiden’s Castle, they are equally dramatic with the watchful ravens perched on their peaks only adding to the mystical atmosphere. Poll Carn also has its local nicknames – it goes by titles such as ‘the teddybear’, ‘the unicorn’ and ‘wolf’s rock’. Back on the main track and with Poll Carn to your right, walk downhill. Technically the footpath meanders off on the grass to oneside but it isn’t marked or obvious and the farm track is much easier to follow. At the bottom of the hill you reach a crossroads. A track leading back to Treffgarne and its church lies to the right (an alternative starting point), another gate lies ahead and the path back heads across the grass to the left, following the waypoint. Continue across the grass and through a small gate. Continue down a grassy path lined with hedgerow, enjoying great views back up to Maiden’s Castle on your left. Eventually you come to another small intersection of paths. The return walk leads on the pathstraight ahead. If it is not overgrown then there is a small path to the right hand side here also which leads onto the iron age hill settlement at Great Treffgarne Rocks. The view is said to be really good down onto the gorge from here. Back on the main path continue straight on and back onto a narrow path leading downhill through the bracken. This path brings you back to the fork in the path at the start of the walk. Keep right and you will emerge onto the lane opposite the parking area. If you have time, I can highly recommend the reasonably priced lunch menu at nearby Wolf’s Castle Hotel. The food is superb and they offer both light bites and a fantastic set menu. Directions: The Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk is easily accessed from the A40 between Haverfordwest and Fishguard. Free parking is available in the lay-by by Nant-y-Coy Mill, which is found between the villages of Treffgarne and Wolf’s Castle. Alternatively if you want to avoid the first bit of uphill walking, drive up the small lane immediately to the south of the mill. This leads up to a small parking area opposite the footpath that marks the start of the Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk. There are regular bus services that run along the A40 but from some brief research, none of these seem to stop at the layby by Nant-y-Coy Mill. The road is fast and narrow here so unless stopping by the mill is possible (and do double check) then I wouldn’t recommend trying to walk from Treffgarne or Wolf’s Castle. Instead you could start the walk from Treffgarne village and join it along the farm track that leads back from the chuch – it’s easy to find if you have an OS Map and joins the Treffgarne Rocks Circular Walk at the cross-roads.

Jennie's Guidebook

Food Scene

The Golden Lion Hotel

Sloop Inn

Rose & Crown

Allt Yr Afon Restaurant

Something's Cooking

Royal Oak

The Bristol Trader

Carew Inn

Crug Glas Country House

Dragon House

The Dragon Palace

The Harbourmaster

Pump On The Green

The George's

Pointz Castle Ice Cream

Sightseeing

Llys y Fran Country Park & Reservoir

Preseli Hills

Newport Beach

St. Davids dómkirkja

Porthgain Harbour station

Abereiddy Beach

Cardigan Bay

Newgale Beach

Whitesands Bay

Treffgarne

Things To Do

Oakwood Theme Park

Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo

Heatherton heimur athafna

Manor Wildlife Park

Scolton Manor

Neighbourhoods

Letterston