The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a spectacular and distinctive coastal area. It’s Britain’s Only Coastal National Park, as it’s the only one of Britain’s 14 National Parks to be entirely coastal in nature...
186 miles of walkers paradise on both wild headlands and pristine beaches with picturesque towns and villages like Tenby, St Davids and Solva en route. Most people walk a little bit a time, coming back year after year to explore a bit more. If you want to do the whole lot, allow 15 days...
No other county in Britain has more Blue Flag Beaches or Seaside Award beaches than Pembrokeshire. With over 50 beaches to choose from, there’s going to one that’s perfect for you, whether you want surfing, kayaking or kite surfing, or just somewhere peaceful to relax, sunbathe and build sandcastles... 
There are 51 forts and castles in Pembrokeshire including enormous stone fortresses like Pembroke castle, Manorbier castle and Carew castle. There are medieval walled towns of Tenby and Pembroke and fortified Bishops Palaces at St Davids and Lamphey. 
A pristine environment, clean seas, very little population and lush vegetation makes for rich and varied habitats, most important of which are the Islands: Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grassholm and Caldey. Home to thousands of Puffins, Gannets and other sea birds. Dolphin, Porpoise and Whale watching boat trips are popular too...
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Lydstep to St Govans
Description: A very scenic and varied walk that takes in some of Pembrokeshire’s most remarkable beaches. Gradients aren’t too taxing but it’s strenuous nonetheless.
Distance: 14½miles 23 km
Public Transport: Tenby to Pembroke via Lydstep service no 349
The Coastal Cruiser walkers bus service covers the entire route For timetables go to www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus (opens new window)
Refreshments: Cafe & restaurant by the beach at Freshwater East. Cafe at Stackpole Quay. Pub & cafe in Bosherston.
Nearest Tourist Information Centre: Pembroke Visitor Centre, The Commons. Tel 01646 622388. E-mail pembroke.tic@pembrokeshire.gov.uk (Open Easter to October) Tenby, Upper Park Road (Next to the bus station) Tel 01834 842404 E-mail tenbytic@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Route:
- Start from Lydstep Head car park, overlooking Lydstep Haven caravan park
- After half a mile take a detour down steps on the left, down a dry valley. It leads to a superb low-tide beach with caves
- Back on the path, continue west past the Youth Hostel and inaccessible Skrinkle Haven.
- The path detours around Manorbier camp but is well signed.
- Continue to Manorbier beach past the Neolithic burial chamber of Kings Quoit
- The moderately strenuous path continues up & down to the isolated Swanlake Bay and then on to Freshwater East (Cafe, restaurant and toilets)
- It’s possible to scramble down to the beach at its eastern end of Fresh’ East if the tide is out.
- Head for the slipway, along the road for a few feet and along a wooded path back onto the cliff top.
- A reasonably level path continues to Stackpole Quay (Cafe & toilets).
- Climb up and down again to the stunning Barafundle beach
- The easy path up to Stackpole Head continues almost on the level all the way to St Govans, except when it drops down to Broad Haven South Beach.
- Clamber down the rocks and walk across the beach if you can or detour round to the Lily ponds if you have time.
- Head up the steps on the far side of the beach (Toilets & Ice Cream van)
- West of here is the super little low-tide beach at Trevallen
- If the ranges are closed, this is as far as you can go. Tel 01646 662367 to check.
- St Govan’s Head is an easy stroll from here. The chapel is only a little further on.
- Turn inland here to go to Bosherston Village
- If in doubt, follow the acorn symbols that indicate where the route goes
Attractions en-route: Manorbier Castle. Bosherston Lily Ponds. St Govan’s Chapel
ID: 1526 Revised: 18/2/2009
