Explore West Wales

Situated in the heart of the small village of Bosherston, within 1 mile of three of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of Pembrokeshire; Bosherston Lily Ponds, St Govans Chapel and Broad Haven Beach. These areas of outstanding beauty and varied wildlife are protected by Pembrokeshire National Parks and the National Trust. This semi detached house is adjoining a traditional tea rooms of quaint character which is owned by the same family. The village also has a popular Inn. There is a regular coastal bus service throughout the summer season, which is reduced throughout the winter months. The historic town of Pembroke is 5 miles away and Tenby is a further 10 miles.

Location

Bosherston is a tiny village just south of Pembroke renowned for the lakes and lily ponds created by the Campbells of Stackpole in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as an enhancement to their estate. Covering more than 80 acres, they form the largest areas of fresh water in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The lakes offer good coarse fishing and are well stocked with roach, pike, tench and eels. They are at their best around June when the lilies are in full bloom.

From the small car park next to the church in Bosherston a footpath leads to the first lake and an enticing causeway takes you across to the far side. The path then meanders round the lake, over another causeway and a bridge to bring you, unexpectedly, to a fabulous beach at Broad Haven South. The beach is sheltered, dune backed and has wonderful soft golden sand. If you drive through the village and turn left just past the pub, you come to a big cliff top car park which gives you quicker access to the beach.

At low tide, numerous little caves are exposed on the eastern side of the beach farthest from the car park. The stream that empties out of the Lily Ponds also flows along this side of the beach providing numerous pools and channels for children to play in. Unlike some beach streams, the water is clean and clear. There is a partial island on the western side with another cave that can be climbed through but this also requires a low tide.

The limestone cliffs in this part of south Pembrokeshire are criss-crossed by up to a thousand hard climbing routes including some of the most taxing routes in the UK. There are easier routes too but it is places like Huntsman's Leap near St Govans Chapel that epitomise the Pembroke climbing reputation.

St Govan's chapel tucked into a cleft in the cliffs, is one of the most picturesque sixth century hermit's chapels in Britain. It is named after the hermit and saint who lived there. St Govan was the Abbot to the monastery of Dairinis in Ireland and tradition says that pirates from Lundy Island tried to capture him when he was visiting Pembrokeshire. Folklore says that the cleft in the rock at St. Govan's Chapel opened iraculously for him to hide in, closed over him, opening miraculously for a second time after the pirates had gone away. This miracle prompted him to build a hermit's chapel and to worship, preach and teach here.