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Saundersfoot

Saundersfoot is a small seaside resort in between Tenby and Amroth. It's much more compact than Tenby and has a charm and character of its own. In many respects Saundersfoot is a much more accessible seaside resort: Saundersfoot beach is wide, sandy and has a blue flag. There are plenty of places to eat and drink around the harbour and there's ample parking near the beach both on the harbour side and in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park run car park behind the shops. Saundersfoot was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1995.

Picture: Saundersfoot Harbour

As Saundersfoot's main beach is a family bathing beach, it has a dog ban in place between May and September. If you do have dogs, walk along The Strand to find a path down to the beach near the tunnel. This is where the dog ban ends. Anything east of here towards Coppet Hall is OK for dogs.

Picture: Coppet Hall beach

If you fancy a quieter beach, Glen beach can be accessed via The Harbour. Walk right round to the west side. It's easier than crossing the stream that flows out of The Harbour at low tide.

Picture: Saundersfoot Glen Beach

There's an interesting walk across the beach to Monkstone point and Monkstone beach beyond that. As you walk across the sand, the razor clams squirt at you!

Picture: An aerial view of Saundersfoot

There are a number of hotels on the cliffs above the beach with stunning views over Saundersfoot village and Carmarthen Bay including the fabulous St Brides Bay Hotel and Spa. In the village centre the Gower Hotel and The Jalna miss out on the views but are close to the beach without the need to climb the hill. A number of good B&Bs and guesthouses are quite central too plus there are numerous self catering cottages and apartments, many sharing the fabulous views as the hotels. There are some very good camp sites and touring caravan sites in the surrounding countryside plus several holiday parks where you can rent a self catering static caravan. There are a number of pubs that serve food including The Royal Oak and The Hean Castle but there are quite a few good restaurants and cafés too.

Picture: Looking towards Saundersfoot from the old tramway on The Coast Path

Saundersfoot harbour was originally built to transport coal from mines in and around Stepaside. Nothing remains of the mines but the route of the tramway that was built to bring the coal to Saundersfoot harbour has created one of the most fascinating sections of The Coast Path. Walking east from Saundersfoot harbour you first come to the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in a building called The Barbeque. This was once Bonville's Court Colliery Office. Continue east along The Strand towards Coppet Hall beach, which is reached via a short tunnel. On the far side of Coppet Hall beach are two further tunnels and a wide flat path that is perfect for pushchairs and wheelchairs. This takes you to Wiseman's Bridge. If you want to continue along the old dramway it will head inland through the woods to Stepaside where the remains of the old ironworks can be explored. It's recently been resurfaced and is ideal for cycles or walking.

Picture: The Old Dramway from Stepaside to Wisemans Bridge

Picture: Waterwynch, between Tenby and Saundersfoot

The Coast Path in the other direction takes you to Tenby. Although the distance isn't great, there are a number of descents and climbs as the path drops down to some little coves like Waterwynch. The path meanders through the woods which are full of bluebells in the spring.