A favourite with writers
Manorbier beach
Manorbier is a lovely seaside village with a superb sandy cove popular with surfers and a fine medieval castle overlooking the bay. The birthplace of Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis) and a favourite haunt of George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf.
The village has a cosy pub and an interesting Norman Church. Manorbier was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1997.
Did you know?
Manorbier has a long history, archaeological finds have dated artefacts back to the Mesolithic and early Neolithic periods that’s 11,500 years ago! The most dramatic survival from the Neolithic period is the burial chamber or cromlech known as King’s Quoit, alongside the cliff footpath to the east side of Manorbier Bay.
The Norman knight Odo de Barri was granted lands in the last decade of the 11th century, and he erected a wooden hall on the site of the castle, surrounding it with earthworks. It was his son began building the stone Manorbier Castle we see today. A great square tower was constructed, together with a fine hall block and, by the end of the 12th century; these buildings were enclosed by two high stone curtain walls with towers, and a strong gatehouse.
Getting to Manorbier
Manorbier is connected by the 349 bus service to Haverfordwest and Tenby both of which have a railway station.
Activities
Walking the Coast Path is good in either direction, although having to walk around the perimeter of Manorbier Camp does detract from the walk towards Tenby. It also limits shorter circular routes. Heading west, you pass the remote Swanlake Bay and Freshwater East.
Attractions
Manorbier Castle has a stunning location perched above the beach; a well preserved masonry, chapel, round tower and gatehouse; numerous stairs, towers, rooms and battlements to explore and an inner ward laid out to gardens.
Also in the village are the restored Beer House and a dovecote below the castle walls.
On the Coast Path to the east is The King’s Quoit, a stone cromlech on the coast path overlooking the bay.
Food and drink
The only pub in Manorbier is the Castle Inn. The quirky old cottage Inn is situated next to Manorbier Castle offering real ales, light lunches, tasty evening meals and delicious pizza. Lovely outside seating.
Beach Break Tea rooms are in the heart of the village with a wonderful garden. A fusion of traditional and modern decor offering a variety of homemade soups, light lunches and freshly baked cakes to accompany our own blend of Pembrokeshire roasted coffee.
Accommodation
The Castlemead Hotel is a restaurant with rooms right in the heart of Manorbier, just a gentle stroll from the beach and castle.
Numerous self-catering cottages are available in the village and all along this part of Pembrokeshire coast.
There are several camp sites and touring caravan parks plus several holiday parks on the edge of the village with self catering static caravans available.
Manorbier Youth Hostel is on the eastern side of the village alongside the Coast Path, half way to Lydstep.
