Saundersfoot

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.

 

There is a train station called ‘Saundersfoot’ but it’s a mile out of the village and there are no facilities there at all so you need to arrange to be picked up. If you need a bus or a taxi, get off at Tenby station instead. There are good bus services into Tenby or along the coast to Amroth and Pendine.

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 Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Walking east from Saundersfoot harbour you first come to a building called The Barbecue. 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.

 

Activities

Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in either direction is great. A flat path suitable for bikes, wheelchairs and pushchairs takes you to Coppet Hall and Wisemans Bridge in one direction and to Tenby in the other.

Although the distance to Tenby isn’t great, the path is rough and 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 May.

Near Saundersfoot is Battlefield LIVE! A laser combat centre, which is similar to paintballing but without the bruises!

Saundersfoot pleasure boats run boat trips out of the harbour.

Attractions

The main attraction is the beach. The main beach is a family bathing beach, which 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. Take a look at a map of the beach which will help explain the restircted area

If you fancy a quieter low-tide 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.

The National Trust run Colby Woodland Garden is nearby. They have a great scrapbook for children called 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. Pick one up at the shop and tick off as many as you can.

Saundersfoot host a range of events throughout the year including their St Nicholas Christmas fair and the famous New Years Day swim.

Food and Drink

The best food with the best view will be at the Cliff Restaurant at the St Brides Spa Hotel on the cliff above the harbour. Down in the village, there are a number of choices including The Beachside Barbecue, a great upstairs family-friendly restaurant or Marina Fish & Chips where your fish is cooked to order.

The Captains Table is a pub with an extensive menu.

Other pubs with food include The Hean Castle Inn, The Old Chemist Inn and The Royal Oak

Near the harbour is the stylish Mulberry Restaurant with a good menu which includes a tempting fixed price menu.

There are a number of great cafes including The Silver Strand, an interesting mix of jewellery shop and cafe, the Shoreline Cafe which has occasional live music and The Lounge Coffee Bar.

If you take the short walk along The Strand and through the tunnel, you’ll come across Coast Restaurant. Situated at the eastern end of the beach, Coast was built right on the edge of the beach to take full advantage of the views right across Carmarthen Bay. The head chef takes pride in using the finest Pembrokeshire produce from land and, of course, sea!

Accommodation

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 Spa Hotel.

A number of good B&Bs and guesthouses are quite central too plus there are numerous self-catering cottages and apartments, many sharing the same fabulous views as the hotels. A cottage agency might be a good place to start searching.

There are some very good campsites and touring caravan sites in the surrounding countryside plus several holiday parks where you can rent a self-catering static caravan including Swallowtree Gardens, which has a great location in the woods above Glen Beach.

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