Pembrokeshire Coast (Central) - 8 Days & 7 Nights
- Walk the central section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
- Hidden bays and sleepy fishing villages
- The city of St David's, surprisingly the smallest in Britain
- Spot seals and puffins in their natural habitat
- Follow trails atop cliff’s, with the crashing Atlantic waves below
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Pembroke and overnightThe small town of Pembroke can be easily reached by train from Swansea (2 hours) or from Cardiff ( hours). The town is stretched along one long street by the river and has plenty of pubs and historical landmarks to visit. On arrival, you can settle into your accommodation, stroll through the town and get ready for your adventure.Â
The Woodbine B&B offers cosy accommodation in the village of Pembroke which is steeped in history. Their aim is to provide you with a warm, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. All rooms have central heating, colour TV/DVD, Radio, Alarm clock, Hair dryer and Tea/Coffee making facilities. They can also cater for special dietary requirements with prior notice.
Where old meets new is probably the best way to describe the Coach House Hotel. A truly medieval feeling in a fully modern hotel. In fact, the Coach House Hotel has all the mod cons, including wireless internet, satellite TV and many other extras available for our guests.
Penfro B&B offers wonderful accommodation in this grade 2 listed Georgian mansion dating back to the 1970’s. Comfortable and traditional rooms offer walkers a pleasant night’s stay.
On today's walk, you leave Pembroke and cross the Cleddau Bridge, following the coastline you will enjoy views across the estury. At points you will find the route quite industrial, following power stations and oil refineries before heading inland passing through fields and woodland to reach Milford Haven.
Ascent: +165m / Descent -165m
St Katharine's House is located in Milford Haven and offers three boutique ensuite rooms, a garden and room service. The bed and breakfast features both WiFi and private parking free of charge.
Ty Milford Waterfront features a restaurant, fitness center, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property. They offer a varitey of rooms that are complete with a private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer, flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms will a balcony
Ferry House Inn is set in heart of Pembrokeshire. Newly refurbished ensuite accommodation they offer six comfortable rooms with double, twin, family and single occupancies available, most rooms benefit from lovely views of Hazelbeach and the Cleddau Estuary.
Your walk today will start with urban surroundings before you reach Sandy Haven, enjoy the views of the sandy beach and creek. From here the walk follows the coastline with wonderful views of the small village of Dale. An included transfer brings you to Marloes where you will spend the night.
Ascent: +80m / Descent -120m
The Clock House provides a great welcoming service. You’ll be given your own front door key and you can come and go as you please. They have a spacious and comfy separate resident’s lounge, as well as a friendly Café/Bar offering real coffee, teas, home-made cakes, snacks & lunches during the day, they are fully licensed and use locally sourced ingredients in their menus wherever possible. The Café/Bar is open until 5pm every day except Monday. (Open Bank Holidays Mondays).
Foxdale Guest House is a large, detached guest house fringing Marloes village. It offers warm and comfortable accommodation and has been graded 4 stars by The Welsh tourist board. The bedrooms are either en-suite or with private facilities and all have hospitality trays and colour televisions.
Located very centrally in the village of Marloes, The Lobster Pot Hotel has 4 en suite bedrooms.
A short transfer (5 mins) brings you to Dale and begins with a rugged section around Dale Head and then past two of Pembrokeshire’s vast golden beaches to the small village of Marloes. It is possible to shorten the walk by approximately 8km by taking the shortcut across the neck of the Dale peninsula.
- Standard Option: 20km / 13m. Ascent:Â +335m / Descent: -295mÂ
- Shorter Option: 12km / 7.5m. Ascent:Â +135m / Descent:Â -95m
The Clock House provides a great welcoming service. You’ll be given your own front door key and you can come and go as you please.
They offer a traditional full cooked breakfast, or you can choose from scrambled egg with smoked salmon or a continental option. They have a spacious and comfy separate resident’s lounge, as well as a friendly Café/Bar offering real coffee, teas, home-made cakes, snacks & lunches during the day, they are fully licensed and use locally sourced ingredients in their menus wherever possible. The Café/Bar is open until 5pm every day except Monday. (Open Bank Holidays Mondays).
Foxdale Guest House is a large, detached guest house fringing Marloes village. It offers warm and comfortable accommodation and has been graded 4 stars by The Welsh tourist board. The bedrooms are either en-suite or with private facilities and all have hospitality trays and colour televisions. You can choose your own breakfast daily from their very extensive menu which caters for all tastes and appetites.
Located very centrally in the village of Marloes, The Lobster Pot Hotel has 4 en suite bedrooms.
Following easy cliff paths you will have tranquil views across St. Brides Bay and at some points view of Ramsey Island in the distance, making your way to Broad Haven. A popular location with holidaymakers, enjoy a wander along the beach or perhaps a coffee at a local cafe with views of the sands.
Ascent:Â +165m / Descent:Â -205m
If you are walking to Little Haven the daily distance is just over 1km less.
We are a renovated Victorian home overlooking the picturesque village of Little Haven, and St Bride’s Bay and situated right on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, a hundred paces to the sheltered beach - perfect for an active or relaxing holiday by the sea.
Pendyffryn Manor is ideally suited for family and small group bookings with b&b accommodation for around twelve people.
Pendyffryn Manor is comfy and welcoming, the quiet and relaxing rooms are large and bright with sea and village views.
Our charming en-suite rooms have great showers, quality beds and linen.
Anchor Guest House is on the sea front and faces westwards onto the beautiful safe and sandy beach at Broad Haven. The rooms all feature flat-screen colour televisions with a built-in DVD player, a clock radio incorporating a CD player as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
Sunset B&B is a family run business situated in Broad Haven within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with stunning views of the sea and open countryside. Both rooms are individually decorated, and all have flat screen TV’s, DVD player, hospitality tray, hairdryer and central heating.
Rocky Outcrop on today's route is the ideal location to stop for a picnic if you have good weather on your side. Arrive in the village of Solva, probably the prettiest village in Pembrokeshire.
If you are walking from Broad Haven your daily distance will be just over 1km less than listed.
Ascent:Â +395m / Descent:Â -390m
The Cambrian Inn has fresh and tastefully decorated en-suite rooms situated above the main restaurant, the rooms, each named after one of Pembrokeshire's island reserves, are designed to provide you with your own place of refuge after a hard day on the coastal path. Breakfast is served in our bright and sunny (fingers crossed!) breakfast room off the main bar. The main dining room, with its exposed stonework, original pitch pine beams and contemporary furnishings provides the perfect environment for dinner.
The Victoria Inn was built in the late 18th century, it is a traditional village pub which has kept its character with low beam ceilings and doors, serving homemade food & real ales. There is a tale that it was a stop off point for drovers on their way from St Davids to the market in Haverfordwest before it officially became an inn. At the inn, rooms are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is fitted with free toiletries. All rooms feature a wardrobe.
Cuffern Manor is a Country House bed and breakfast in Roch, set in 3.5 acres of walled garden and woodlands. This hotel style accommodation is comfortably furnished, centrally heated and with a wood-burning stove in the ground floor sitting room for the colder weather. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in the first-floor guest sitting area. You are welcome to watch television or read a book in our two guest sitting areas, on the first floor, or the ground floor where there is a wood burner for the winter months and an extensive library with books to loan or buy.
A challenging start to the day's walk will be rewarded with impressive views and dramatic cliffs.Â
St Davids is the smallest city in Britain, no visit to this area would be complete without a visit to St David's Cathedral.
Ascent:Â +135m / Descent:Â -90m
Centrally located, we are just a short walk to the historic St. David’s Cathedral, Bishops Palace, local restaurants, cafe’s and pubs, shops and galleries. The renowned Pembrokeshire Coast Path is minutes away, as are the many beautiful beaches and coves this special place has to offer – whether you are walking, cycling, busing or driving. TÅ· Boia offers private parking, bike facilities and the bus stop is about 50 yards up the street. The B&B has its own separate access, hallway and stairs, so there’s no need for tiptoeing around, equally as beneficial to us as to you with our two young children!
TÅ· Helyg is a newly refurbished family run quality Bed and Breakfast set within the UK’s smallest city, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. They are proud to present a B&B with ample parking just minutes walk from city centre and the most visited heritage site in Wales, St Davids Cathedral, along with its shops, restaurants and public houses. They have 3 modern bedrooms, each with en-suite shower or private bathroom, flat-screen Freeview TV and full tea and coffee making facilities. WiFi access is also available throughout.
The Waterings derives its name from a sheltered cove on Ramsey Island, the only deep water safe haven of the St David’s Peninsula, where in days gone by sailing ships anchored overnight and took on fresh water. Situated in a quiet relaxing location close to the National Park Visitor Centre, the Waterings is a short walk from the city centre and its 800 year old Cathedral.
St David’s doesn't have a train station but you can reach Swansea by bus (3 hours).
This trip has a carbon score of 5kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 5kg is equivalent to 1 Neapolitan margherita pizza. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you enjoy coastal walking with endless sandy beaches, cliff top views and plenty of wildlife then this could be the walk for you. Take the challenge and walk the full length in a fortnight or split the walking into the beaches of the South, the varied central section or the rugged and remote North.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
This tour is graded moderate to strenuous depending on which itinerary you choose. For those wishing to complete the entire walk, it is advisable that you have some previous long-distance walking experience.
The route is a mixture of paths, beach walking and clifftop paths. Some of the sections can be rocky and steep as you traverse the cliffs. You will often encounter steps as you ascend and descend between the coves.
You will stay in a mixture of carefully chosen hotels, country inns, B&B’s, small hotels and guest houses.
At times, due to limited accommodation in Amroth (when you begin walking from Amroth) we may have to book you into a property in Tenby. If this is the case, the transfer will need to be paid as an extra cost. In this case, you will also need to arrive in Tenby at the beginning of the tour (see travel information).
Additional Nights
Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk to sample more of the wonderful walking and attractions available on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. St David’s, Pembroke and Tenby are great for recovery days or simply sightseeing opportunities. Solva is a magical village tucked into the hillside and there are plenty of circular walks over the cliffs that can demand an extra day. The naturalists amongst you will not want to miss the chance to take a boat trip out from St David’s to see the RSPB reserve and seals at Ramsay Island.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the tour itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, we may have to accommodate you into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you, subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
Solo Walkers
This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs there is a solo walker supplement payable.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included. Most of your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs or restaurants.
The route is way marked extensively with finger posts and acorn symbols. Navigation skills may be required if you intend to venture off the trail. We provide a guide book and map to help you find your way.
- Overnights in B&B's, small hotels, guest houses and country inns
- Daily breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- A detailed information pack and guidebook
- Access to maps, GPX tracks with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- Transfers as described in your departure documents (as necessary)
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Entrance fees (where applicable)
- Transport should you need to skip a stage (public and taxis)
- Travel Insurance
- Additional nights
You can start your Pembrokeshire Coast Path Walk anytime between March and the beginning of October.
Time of Year
You can enjoy this walk in spring, summer or autumn/fall. In the springtime, you will encounter spring flowers, for example, woods that may be full of bluebells. The summer should be slightly warmer, but perhaps a little busier. The autumn/fall will be quieter and a lovely time to walk this coast path.
By Train—You can catch a train from Swansea to Pembroke (2H) or from Cardiff (3H)
By Air -Â Cardiff is the closest airport, Bristol is also an option as are the London airports.Â
By Bus—St David’s doesn't have a train station but you can reach the city by bus. From Swansea it takes approx 3H.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person up to 18 kg.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
If you are travelling from far afield and do have more than one bag it is possible to arrange for the extra luggage to be stored whilst you are on the tour. (There may be a small charge for this). These additional bags would be picked up at your accommodation at the start point and dropped off wherever you finish depending on the itinerary you choose to do. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
Daily Distances
Since not all the accommodations are directly on the path, you may be walking extra distances to reach your accommodation, so you will need to take this into consideration when calculating your daily distances as our GPS tracks and distances noted in your document and on our website do not normally include these additional mileages. Also, please be aware that we have calculated the daily distances on our Macs Adventure Smartphone App so they may not necessarily be the same as listed in the guidebook.
Castlemartin firing ranges
The UK's Ministry of Defence uses a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast to carry out military drills. These drills take place throughout the summer months and can lead to the Wales Green Bridge/Bosherton to St Govan's sections being closed on the Bosherton to Angle walk (complete itineraries) or Bosherton Loop Walk (South Itinerary). A shorter detour needs to be taken that goes away from the coast if you happen to be walking on a day that it's closed off due to the drills. Â
The 2024 dates are now listed on the UK government website - please ensure that neither of the above walks clashes with any dates listed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/castlemartin-firing-notice--2. We have closed off dates accordingly to avoid this happening but there may still be last-minute changes so we can never guarantee the walk will be always 100% accessible. If you don't mind taking this inland detour, we can re-open any closed-off dates.
Tidal Information
Please be aware that certain sections will be affected by tides which may have an impact on the daily walking distance and your ability to undertake certain sections at specific times of the day. These sections included:
- Between Iron Bridge, Newport, and Newport Sands
- West of Monkton, Pembroke
- Bullwell Bay at Popton, near Angle
- Point Lane, Angle.
Your included guidebook and the following link to the Pembrokeshire coast path trail website give the necessary information about passing these sections. For more information on tide times in the UK you can also visit: https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/
Onward Travel Day - No Bus Service on a Sunday
Please be aware that there are no buses running from St Dogmaels or Cardigan to adjoining towns on a Sunday, we, therefore, recommend that you avoid having your onward travel day land on a Sunday if possible. Alternatively, we provide a telephone number for a taxi firm who will take you all the way back to Amroth for a reasonable cost.Â
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We offer a range of itineraries with differing daily distances so you can find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle, we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardiovascular exercise before your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
We suggest you book as soon as you know your plans as Pembrokeshire is extremely popular especially over April/May and July/August.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a day pack and hats/gloves etc. A full equipment list is included in your information pack.
This walking holiday is best enjoyed between March and mid-October. Springtime weather can be changeable but usually is the driest time of year, from March to June.Â
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop. In some cases, the baggage transfer service that takes your bags on to your next accommodation may be able to assist. Our office can assist with helpful advice should you need to arrange transport for yourself or anyone in your party.
There are sections on the full, north and south itineraries (the "Best Of" and central sections do not have any) which may have an impact on the daily walking distance and your ability to undertake certain sections at specific times of the day. These sections included:
North Section
- Between Iron Bridge, Newport, and Newport Sands
- West of Monkton, Pembroke
Central Section
- None
South Section
- Bullwell Bay at Popton, near Angle
- Point Lane, Angle.
Your included guidebook and the following link to the Pembrokeshire coast path trail website give the necessary information about passing them. For more information on tide times in the UK you can also visit: https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/
The UK's Ministry of Defence uses a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast to carry out military drills. These drills take place throughout the summer months and can lead to the Wales Green Bridge/Bosherton to St Govan's sections being closed on the Bosherton to Angle walk (complete itineraries) or Bosherton Loop Walk (South Itinerary). A shorter detour needs to be taken that goes away from the coast if you happen to be walking on a day that it's closed off due to the drills. Â
The 2024 dates are now listed on the UK government website - please ensure that neither of the above walks clashes with any dates listed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/castlemartin-firing-notice--2. We have closed off dates accordingly to avoid this happening but there may still be last-minute changes so we can never guarantee the walk will be always 100% accessible. If you don't mind taking this inland detour, we can re-open any closed off dates.
-
Adventure of the Week: Pembrokeshire Coastal PathRead More2 Min Read25 September 2020
-
4 Reasons to Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast PathRead More2 Min Read25 September 2020
-
What else is there to do? Pembrokeshire Coast PathRead More4 Min Read17 January 2014
-
How Difficult is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path?Read More2 Min Read25 September 2020
-
Famous Welsh WritersRead More2 Min Read15 October 2020
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights
Cornwall In Style
See the best of Cornwall's Coast In Style and dine at the Rick Stein iconic seafood restaurants.Highlights- Colourful Cornish fishing villages
- Stand at the tip of dramatic Trevose Head
- Follow St Michael's Way, an ancient pilgrim route
-
Save %7 Days 6 Nights
Cornwall: Padstow to St Michael's Mount
Discover Cornish fishing ports, an ancient pilgrim route and the iconic St Michael's MountHighlights- Colourful Cornish fishing villages
- Stand at the tip of dramatic Trevose Head
- Follow St Michael's Way, an ancient pilgrim route
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights
Northumberland Coastal Path - 8 Days & 7 Nights
A classic walking holiday along the deserted beaches of the Northumberland Coast to the Holy IslandHighlights- Walk along the beaches of the Northumberland Coast
- Visit the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne
- Savour the local speciality, 'Craster kippers'