The Best of Pembrokeshire
- Striding out along the empty clifftops high above the crashing Atlantic
- The prolific bird and wildlife of Skomer and Ramsey Islands
- Exploring St David’s Cathedral and city
- Relaxing over a beer in the pretty fishing villages of Little Haven and Solva
- Enjoying the beauty and emptiness of this special corner of Wales
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in MIlford Haven. Transfer to Marloes and overnightA short transfer (20 mins) brings you to Marloes, a village that is a hidden gem located on the very west of the Pembrokeshire peninsula. It is a popular holiday spot and is a National Trust Area with beautiful beaches, bird sanctuaries and wildlife. A transfer from Milford Haven to your accommodation here is included.
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.
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.
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: +335m / Descent: -295m
- Shorter Option: 12km / 7.5m. Ascent: +135m / Descent: -95m
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.
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.
The largest of the Pembrokeshire Islands is home to the largest colony of seabirds in southern Britain. At its best in spring and early summer, thousands of puffins, Manx shearwaters, razorbills and kittiwakes breed on the island. Look out for seals and dolphins on the short boat trip to the island where you can enjoy an excellent 6.5 km (4-mile) walk that explores the best of the fauna, flora and history of Skomer. There is also a 3.3km (1.5m) walk to and from the ferry port if you are staying in Marloes.
Ascent: +65m / Descent: -35m (If walking on Skomer Island).
IMPORTANT: The landing on Skomer Island excursion is extremely popular - especially during the peak season of May through to July when the puffins are on the island. It is always recommended to check availability at: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/ to ensure there is plenty of space left on the boats before booking. As soon as your trip is confirmed we recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible. Please also be aware that the boats to Skomer Island do not land on the island on Mondays. Therefore if wish to visit Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday. There are however alternative cruise boats that sail around the island these days.
Skomer Island Need to Knows:
- Skomer Island Tours are now working on an online pre-booking system and tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/
- The are no boats that land on Skomer Island on Mondays (only cruise boats that go around it). Therefore if wish to visit and walk on Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday
- You MUST pre-book the ferry in advance to avoid disappointment - be sure to check there is plenty of space on the date you want to go. We then recommend booking the tickets as soon as your trip is confirmed.
- If you are booking a year in advance we recommend following the boat tours' social media for updates when the boats are in operation: https://www.facebook.com/pembrokeshireislands
- The Skomer Island ferries only operate from the end of April to the end of September. The start/end dates vary from year to year
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.
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.
Following easy cliff paths you will have tranquil views across St. Brides Bay and at some points, a view of Ramsey Island in the distance, making your way to Broad Haven. A popular location with holidaymakers, wander along the beach or perhaps a coffee at a local cafe with views of the sands.
Ascent: +280m / Descent: -325m
1. If you stayed overnight in Milford Haven instead of Marloes, a taxi transfer will return you back to Marloes in the morning to start your walk.
2. At the end of today's walk, depending on availability you may be overnighting in Little Haven instead of Broad Haven (this will shorten this walk by around 1 mile (1.5km).
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.
At Premier Inn Haverfordwest, you're close to the pretty town centre. This pretty market town and the surrounding area has plenty to offer, such as its famous Norman castle, riverside walks and local farmers' market.
Haverfordwest hotel has king-size Hypnos beds, modern bathrooms and an on-site Marston's pub and restaurant.
The path continues north past secretive coves and wide open beaches, popular with surfers, to Newgale. Here the hard work starts with some steep ascents and descents but you can look forward to arriving in the village of Solva, probably the prettiest village in Pembrokeshire.
Ascent: +395m / Descent: -390m
1. If you stayed in Little Haven the previous day, then you will need to add 1 mile (1.5km) to the walk today.
2. If there are any availability issues in Sovla, we will book return transfers to St. Davids.
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.
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.
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.
A challenging start to the day's walk will be rewarded with impressive views and dramatic cliffs. When you return to St Davids later today why not visit the cathedral, a wondrous site that is the reason that even though St Davids is a small town it is labelled as a city. Enjoy another evening here with plenty of pubs and restaurants to try out.
Ascent: +190m / Descent: -250m
If you stayed in St Davids a return taxi transfer will take you back to Solva to start your walk.
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. Tŷ 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!
Tŷ 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.
On today's walk you will experience a feeling of isolation as you wander along the windswept wild headlands. If you are lucky you may spot seals along the shoreline or perhaps a school of dolphins on a clear day.
Tonight you will be staying overnight in St Davids. It is a short bus journey from Whitesand's Bay and details of this are in your accommodation list and information pack. Out of season, a taxi will need to be organised.
Ascent: +66m / Descent: -115m
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. Tŷ 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!
Tŷ 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 Davids doesn't have a train station but you can reach Haverfordwest (1 hour) or Swansea by bus (3 hours). If your departure falls on a Sunday you need to book a taxi in advance to Haverfordwest as there is no bus transport.
This trip has a carbon score of 5kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best 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 on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This trip is perfect for you if you want to discover the best walking in Wales, quaint fishing villages, prolific wildlife and buckets of history in one fabulous week.
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&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
The walk is on well-maintained footpaths, clifftops, beaches and woodland trails. It does involve some steep ascent and descent especially in the northern sections of the path.
We take great pride in carefully selecting the accommodations we use on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to ensure you enjoy every minute of your stay. We work with B&B’s, Guest Houses, country hotels and charming inns which are normally of 3 or 4 star standard with en-suite bathrooms.
Solo Walkers & Single Rooms
This holiday is available to solo walkers, although a solo supplement is payable.
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single supplement is payable.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Most hotels and B&Bs offer a continental and full cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for hours.
Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, your info pack includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack will, of course, have details.
Additional Nights and Extensions
Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk to sample more of the wonderful walking and attractions available on the Coast Path. St Davids, Pembroke and Tenby are great choices for extra days.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is well waymarked with wooden posts and acorn symbols. We provide you with detailed turn-by-turn route notes and maps and you will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS so you will have no problems finding the way.
- Overnights in B&B's, small hotels, guest houses and country inns
- Daily breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- A detailed info pack, guide book and map
- Access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem
- Ferry to Skomer
- Travel to Milford Haven and from St David's
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Additional nights
The Best of Pembrokeshire is available to start on any date during the season of April to early October. Select your preferred start date on the calendar to book your trip.
Skomer Island Tours (2023 & Beyond)
IMPORTANT: The landing on Skomer Island excursion is extremely popular - especially during the peak season of May through to July when the puffins are on the island. It is always recommended to check availability at: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/ to ensure there is plenty of space left on the boats before booking. As soon as your trip is confirmed we recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible. Please also be aware that the boats to Skomer Island do not land on the island on Mondays. Therefore if wish to visit Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday. There are however alternative cruise boats that sail around the island these days.
Skomer Island Need to Knows:
- Skomer Island Tours are now working on an online pre-booking system and tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/
- The are no boats that land on Skomer Island on Mondays (only cruise boats that go around it). Therefore if wish to visit and walk on Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday
- You MUST pre-book the ferry in advance to avoid disappointment - be sure to check there is plenty of space on the date you want to go. We then recommend booking the tickets as soon as your trip is confirmed.
- If you are booking a year in advance we recommend following the boat tours' social media for updates when the boats are in operation: https://www.facebook.com/pembrokeshireislands
- The Skomer Island ferries only operate from the end of April to the end of September. The start/end dates vary from year to year
By Train - Regular trains run to Milford Haven from London (5h00), Cardiff (2h50), Bristol (3h50) and other UK destinations (www.nationalrail.co.uk) for timetables and tickets. A transfer will be provided from Milford Haven to Marloes on Day 1.
By Car - You can leave your car in Marloes and return at the end of your trip by bus (1h35). However your accommodation may not be able to oblige and keep your car there for a week. If this is the case then you will have to park on the street.
By Air - Cardiff is the closest airport, Bristol is also an option as are the London airports.
By Bus - Getting from St David’s By Bus/Train - Catch the hourly bus to Haverfordwest (50 minutes) and train from Haverfordwest. Alternatively, you can catch the bus to Fishguard and onward train.
A good source of reference for travel details is the travel line website: http://traveline.info/
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.
Useful Websites
There is a great wealth of information on the National Trail Website and this also has up-to-date diversions so it is worth a look before you set off on your walk. Another good website is the Visit Pembrokeshire Website which has detailed information and may help with deciding on which part of the trail you are looking to walk.
Skomer Island Tours (2023 & Beyond)
IMPORTANT: The landing on Skomer Island excursion is extremely popular - especially during the peak season of May through to July when the puffins are on the island. It is always recommended to check availability at: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/ to ensure there is plenty of space left on the boats before booking. As soon as your trip is confirmed we recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible. Please also be aware that the boats to Skomer Island do not land on the island on Mondays. Therefore if wish to visit Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday. There are however alternative cruise boats that sail around the island these days.
Skomer Island Need to Knows:
- Skomer Island Tours are now working on an online pre-booking system and tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/
- The are no boats that land on Skomer Island on Mondays (only cruise boats that go around it). Therefore if wish to visit and walk on Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday
- You MUST pre-book the ferry in advance to avoid disappointment - be sure to check there is plenty of space on the date you want to go. We then recommend booking the tickets as soon as your trip is confirmed.
- If you are booking a year in advance we recommend following the boat tours' social media for updates when the boats are in operation: https://www.facebook.com/pembrokeshireislands
- The Skomer Island ferries only operate from the end of April to the end of September. The start/end dates vary from year to year
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
IMPORTANT: The landing on Skomer Island excursion is extremely popular - especially during the peak season of May through to July when the puffins are on the island. It is always recommended to check availability at: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/ to ensure there is plenty of space left on the boats before booking. As soon as your trip is confirmed we recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible. Please also be aware that the boats to Skomer Island do not land on the island on Mondays. Therefore if wish to visit Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday. There are however alternative cruise boats that sail around the island these days.
Skomer Island Need to Knows:
- Skomer Island Tours are now working on an online pre-booking system and tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit: https://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/
- The are no boats that land on Skomer Island on Mondays (only cruise boats that go around it). Therefore if wish to visit and walk on Skomer Island you should not start your trip on a Saturday
- You MUST pre-book the ferry in advance to avoid disappointment - be sure to check there is plenty of space on the date you want to go. We then recommend booking the tickets as soon as your trip is confirmed.
- If you are booking a year in advance we recommend following the boat tours' social media for updates when the boats are in operation: https://www.facebook.com/pembrokeshireislands
- The Skomer Island ferries only operate from the end of April to the end of September. The start/end dates vary from year to year
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