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Top 5 highlights of the Pembrokeshire coast holiday cottages

Top 5 highlights of the Pembrokeshire coast

Laura Mackenzie 07 October 2024

Pembrokeshire is home to the UK's only coastal national park and is full of extraordinary features that visitors from around the world enjoy year after year. Discover abundant wildlife and rare flora and fauna along with numerous monuments and sites of historic interest; there's never a dull moment at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

There’s also the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast Path – 186 miles of breathtaking views and some of Britain's most varied coastal landscapes including steep limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches, enchanting estuaries, whimsical woodland and quaint harbours. Take a look at our guide to 15 breathtaking coastal Pembrokeshire walks and get those walking boots ready.  Or if you want to discover this magical part of Wales from the water, enjoy a Pembrokeshire boat trip.

With so much to discover, we’ve highlighted some of the best parts of the Pembrokeshire coast and we have a fine range of holiday cottages you can use as the perfect adventure base. So read on and start planning your next great escape.  


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St Govan's Chapel

A close up of the stone St Govan's Chapel, nestled against the rocks.

This ancient stone chapel is nestled into the craggy cliffs of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park near the pretty village of Bosherston. This hidden gem starred on the big screen for the drama series His Dark Materials and featured as the intriguing hideout spot for Lyra and Mrs Coulter. 

These TV stars aren’t the only ones to have hidden out at this special spot. Long ago, St Govan was out enjoying a coastal walk when he was spotted and chased by a gang of bloodthirsty pirates! He sought refuge and miraculously, the cliffs opened up to conceal him and he hid there until the pirates sailed away.  

St Govan quickly decided that the safest thing for him would be to continue to live out his days there, guarding the cliffs by ringing a magic golden bell to warn of invaders. Pirates managed to steal the bell, but their ship was sunk by angels who brought the bell back to St Govan and encased it inside a huge rock so that it would never be stolen again. St Govan founded a chapel on the site; a celebration of hope and the triumph of good over evil; visitors can now enjoy the serene site and quietly reflect without being chased by pesky pirates.  

An aerial shot looking down at the stone church of St Govan's, nestled within the rocky cliffs.

You can still see ‘Bell Rock’, and legend has it that if you make a wish while standing in the rock cleft, it will come true, but only as long as you don’t change your mind before you turn around. Another legend that adds to the sense of mystique surrounding the chapel is that if you try to count the stone steps that descend from the clifftop down and up again, the final figure is never the same. 

Inside the chapel sits an ancient stone altar and a ‘piscina’ in the wall, where the priest would wash his hands, beneath which flows a spring. Continue through the doorway to the tiny cave to discover St Govan’s original hermit’s cell where the grooves in the stone are said to be the imprint of his ribs where he squeezed himself into the gap to hide from the pirates. The narrow windows allow light to filter through, illuminating the rough stone walls and creating a peaceful ambience whilst framing the gorgeous sea views.  

Good to know:

  • Location: St. Govan's Head, Bosherston SA71 5DR 
  • Parking: Large free car park 
  • Ease of access: There are steep stone steps, but there is a handrail to help 
  • Important information: The road passes through a MOD army tank range and is closed at certain times. Please check the Government website to see if the road is open 
  • Place to eat nearby: The Stackpole Inn 
  • Stay nearby: Chestnut Cottage - Stackpole | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs 

Green Bridge of Wales

Taken at sunset, this timelapse aerial shot is looking down at the Green Bridge of Wales, surrounded by blue water. The sky is blue and pink.

The Green Bridge of Wales is one of the most dramatic coastal features in Wales and is a must-visit whilst exploring Pembrokeshire. Located between the surfer's paradise of Freshwater West and pretty Bosherston village with its lovely lily ponds, access is again via the army tank range, which kids will love, but understandably the road is closed at certain times. 

This extraordinary 24-metre-high natural limestone arch juts out into the wild waters of the Pembrokeshire coast and gets its name from the layer of vegetation that grows on top of it. With striking sea views and unique rock formations, it is understandably a favourite spot for photographers, nature enthusiasts and hikers. 

The surrounding area is also rich in wildlife, with peak nesting season for seabirds occurring between March and August. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protected Area, and a Special Area of Conservation due to its rich geological and fossil heritage. 

The Green Bridge of Wales, alongside other nearby natural formations like Stack Rocks, displays the incredible power of nature and offers a serene, picturesque spot to experience the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.  

Good to know:

  • Location: Castlemartin, near Pembroke SA71 5EB 
  • Parking: There is a car park located just off the coastal path, 300 metres away 
  • Ease of access: Can be viewed via a short walk from the car park, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs that can travel over grass 
  • Important information: Not always accessible to the public, please see gov.uk to see if it is open 
  • Place to eat nearby: St. Govans Inn Bosherston  
  • Stay nearby: Broad Haven Cottage | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog 

Church Doors Cove

A timelapse photo showing smooth water over the rocks on the beach. In the back of the photo is Church Doors Cove and a blue sky.

Another of Pembrokeshire’s impressive rock formations carved out by nature, Church Doors Cove is a rocky beach with a beautiful, sheltered stretch of golden sand at low tide. The highlight of Church Doors Cove is the magnificent towering cliffs that have been shaped into a colossal door shape, a great spot to sit and admire or take some snaps.  

Take a few hours to absorb the towering views and explore. There are no lifeguards, so swim with caution. Skrinkle Haven Beach is next door but is only accessible at low tide via a small gap in the rock with a 1.2-metre drop onto the beach, and the incoming tide will also cut off access. 

Church Doors Cove is located near the pretty village of Manorbier which has a delightful garden centre and cafe along with a castle that overlooks Manorbier Beach, popular with surfers and sunset seekers.  

Good to know:

  • Location: Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Manorbier, Tenby SA70 7SH 
  • Parking: Free parking is available at Manorbier YHA or 500 metres further along in the other car park 
  • Ease of access: Accessible via a 5-minute walk and 140 steep steps that dogs may struggle with; there is a handrail to help 
  • Important information: Access is only available at low tide only and via the coast path 
  • Place to eat nearby: The Potting Shed  
  • Stay nearby: Glanymor Coastal View | Sleeps 4 

Huntsman's Leap

Two rock cliffs with grass come close together. In the gap between the two is the blue sea.

Huntsman's Leap is a 36.5-metre deep, narrow and sheer-sided coastal chasm and Pembrokeshire landmark. Also located within the military firing range along Pembrokeshire’s rugged coastline, it is popular with sightseers and rock climbers who are drawn to its challenging vertical walls and dramatic setting. 

This extraordinary landmark found its unique name from an old local tale of a huntsman who didn't know the area very well and jumped over the mouth of the chasm on his horse. He looked back to see what he had just crossed and was so overcome with shock and fear that he immediately collapsed and died.  

Despite its beauty, Huntsman's Leap is also a place of caution. Combining sheer cliffs and unpredictable weather can make the area dangerous, particularly for those venturing too close to the edge. Visitors are advised to safely enjoy the spectacular views from a distance, appreciating the wild beauty and thrilling history of this unique natural feature. ⁠ 

Good to know:

  • Location: St. Govan's Head, Bosherston SA71 5DR
  • Parking: There is a free car park 
  • Ease of access: Includes a 500-metre walk westward down the coastal path 
  • Important information: Do not attempt to leap and keep dogs on leads. Not always accessible, please check the MOD website to see if open 
  • Place to eat nearby: Bosh Tea Rooms  
  • Stay nearby: Coach House - Stackpole | Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs

Elegug Stacks

Taken from the cliffs above, this photo focuses on two tall stone stacks in the sea surrounded by clear blue and green water.

Elegug Stacks, also known as Stack Rocks, are two isolated limestone stacks that dramatically rise from the sea. The rocks are located on Castlemartin Firing Range, so public access is restricted when there are live training exercises taking place. 

Elegug is the Welsh for guillemot and, during spring, the tops of the stacks and the ledges below are crammed with thousands of guillemots and smaller numbers of razorbills, European shags and kittiwakes. Beautiful butterflies like the rare dark green fritillary also call this special place home. 

These impressive rocks would have once been a cliff arch like the Green Bridge of Wales highlighted above, and thus demonstrate the incredible power of the sea. After a trip to view these impressive features, head to nearby Bosherston and refresh at the local tea rooms. 

If you fancy a further walk, then head to Bosherston Lily Ponds leading to Broad Haven South Beach – a beautiful beach with another impressive rock formation that juts out of the sea called Church Rock. 

Good to know:

  • Location: Castlemartin, near Pembroke SA71 5EB 
  • Parking: There is a car park nearby located just off the coastal path, 300 metres away
  • Ease of access: Can be viewed via a short walk from the car park suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs that can travel over grass 
  • Important information: Not always accessible to the public, please visit the Governement website to see if access is open 
  • Place to eat nearby: The Boathouse Tea Room  
  • Stay nearby: Coastguard House 1 | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog 

Pembrokeshire coast highlights map

Discover these extraordinary features around the Pembrokeshire coast with the help of our handy map: 

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Stay in Pembrokeshire

Discover these hotspots of the Pembrokeshire coast with a stay in one of our quality holiday cottages. We have dog-friendly retreats, romantic getaways, luxurious lodges and more. Find your perfect base to explore the glorious Pembrokeshire coast all year round.  

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.

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