Things To Do

Just 3 miles from the mediaeval town of Newport, ‘Y Garth’ is the perfect setting for a relaxing break, and is ideally situated for those wishing to enjoy the surrounding coast and country. Birdwatchers will see many species including Buzzards, Falcons, Wagtails, Moor hens etc. Ramsey, Skomer and Grassholm bird sanctuaries are within easy reach. An ideal base for walkers, cyclists, nature and history lovers.

There are plenty of glorious scenic walks which can be made from the house to take in golden sandy beaches, rocky coves, spectacular cliffs, estuary and mountain, all in the Pembrokeshire National Park.

If you would like to walk a stretch of coastal path or traverse the Preseli mountains, the Walkers Bus will prove very useful (see Walking Activities)

Local public houses and restaurants provide extensive menus including locally caught sea trout, lobster, crab and sea bass. Travellers to Ireland will find Dinas Cross convenient for the Fishguard Ferry to Rosslare.

With over 50 beaches to choose from, there’s going to be one that’s perfect for you, whether you want surfing, kayaking, or kite surfing, or just somewhere peaceful to relax and sunbathe.

There are many varied activities to enjoy in the Dinas Cross /Newport are a close to ‘Y Garth’. In Newport/Fishguard you will find a good selection of restaurants, art galleries, craft shops, pottery, antiques, book and coffee shops.

Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort: To the north of the spectacular Preseli hills, sits the hill fort of Castell Henllys. In the reconstructed roundhouses, built on their original foundations, you can sit by the flickering fire and listen to tales of Celtic life in the Iron Age, over 2,000 years ago. Castell Henllys is owned and managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. As well as taking a tour of the hill fort, you can visit the award winning Education Centre and watch live images from the fort and the meandering river, Nant Duad. There is also a shop where you can buy local, organic, recycled and Fairtrade goods, as well as gifts, books and snacks. Guided tours of the fort are held daily from April to October at 11.30a.m. and 2.30p.m.
Nevern: Nearby at Nevern you will see an historical 11thcentury church, a Celtic cross, and the world famous bleeding yew tree in the graveyard. Nevern castle, a motte and bailey earthwork stands on top of the ravine that overlooks the church.
BrynBerian: The burial ground at Brynberian is of great interest, as is the Iron Age Village reconstruction at Castell Henllys near Newport. Here you can step into the past and explore the furnished Iron Age buildings, the ancient livestock breeds, and the remains of prehistoric bones excavated at the site.
CarnIngliMountain: The summit of Carn Ingli with its prehistoric hut circles and stones offers breathtaking views over the hills, vales and coastline.
GwaunValley: This exceptionally beautiful deep wooded valley regarded by geologists as one of the world’s best examples of sub-glacial meltwater channels has a unique atmosphere and an abundance of wildlife and prehistoric sites. The people in the hamlet of Pontfaen uphold a unique tradition – they still celebrate New Year’s Day on 13th January according to the old Gregorian calendar.
Llys-y-Fran: This magnificent country park with its imposing dam and 212 acre reservoir is a splendid place to spend a day. You an attempt the 7 mile perimeter track on foot or cycle (for hire) or you can fish, sail, windsurf, canoe or simply find a quiet spot to picnic and enjoy the view. In the surrounding woodland there is an abundance of wild flowers and bird life.
Strumble: A spectacular headland whatever the weather with its lighthouse (now automatic) situated on a large rock connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge. There is as heltered bird observatory atop the cliff popular with omithologists looking out for passing seabirds and migrants (as well as sea mammals). Seals rear their pups on nearby beaches and at Pwll Deri there is a cliff top youth hostel overlooked by Garn Fawr, a rocky outcrop standing at 650 feet and affording breathtaking views of the North Pembrokeshire coastline.
Porthgain: This charming inlet was once a flourishing seaport in the 19th and early 20th centuries exporting locally quarried slate, shale and fine granite stone for road-building and bricks. The impressive harbour with its quays and the brickworks still remain but today it is occupied by small fishing boats and pleasure craft. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority acquired the harbour and associated buildings in 1983 and extensive restoration work has been undertaken. Porthgain boasts two art galleries, a restaurant and the well known Sloop Inn, all of which are well worth a visit.
StDavids: This magic place, the birthplace of Wales’s patron saint, is officially recognised as Britain’s smallest city and the location for Wales’s most important religious monument. The Cathedral nestling in the valley of the River Alun alongside the impressive ruins of the Bishops Palace is undoubtedly one of the loveliest settings in Wales. A wonderful ambience pervades the entire area which is quite unique. The city bustles during the summer months. There are numerous places to eat and drink. Galleries and interesting shops proliferate. Thousand Island Expeditions, Voyages of Discovery and Aquaphobia offer exhilarating and exciting trips around Ramsey Island. It’s a great way to see the local wildlife at close quarters.
Castles: There are 51 forts and castles in Pembrokeshire including enormous stone fortresses like Pembroke castle, Manorbier castle and Carew castle. There are mediaeval walled towns of Tenby and Pembroke and fortified Bishops Palaces at St Davids and Lamphey.

Walking Activities

There are a range of interesting walks of varying distances and difficulties in the immediate area of ‘Y Garth’. The magnificent coast line of the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coastal Path can be walked throughout the year.

Dinas Cross – Pwll gwaelod – Cwm yr Eglwys: From Dinas Cross a short walk or drive down the lane takes you to Pwllgwaelod, a sandy cove from which you can begin an exhilarating and spectacular circular walk around Dinas ‘Island’ to Cwm yr Eglwys, one of the loveliest coves in Wales, with a single wall and bellcote being all that remains of the church destroyed by the great storm of October 1859. Distance approximately 3 miles. Catch the Poppit Rocket, the walker’s bus back.
The nearby Preseli hills roamed by sheep and ponies provide a superb terrain for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Although climbing to just 1700 feet at the highest point, on a clear day much of Pembrokeshire is seen. The bluestones that make up much of the inner circle of Stonehenge were hewn and transported 180 miles from the Preseli's to Salisbury plain. Among the hills are standing stones, hill fort and ancient trade routes, signifying the importance of this area in the prehistory of Wales. Below the Preseli's lies the richly wooden Gwaun Valley.
Pwllgwaelod to Strumble: This could be described as The Last Invasion Trail, as it’s where the last invasion of Britain took place. This route can be quite taxing as it’s both rugged and undulating, but there are plenty of opportunities to take breaks. A detour into Fishguard is obligatory to see the last invasion tapestry. Distance: 13 miles.
Pwllgwaelod to Newport: A short walk that can be extended by climbing up Carn Ingli for one of the best views in the UK. The initial hike up to Pen Y Fan on Dinas Island, the highest point on The Coast Path, rewards you with some great views. Distance: 7 miles 11 km. 9 miles 14.5km (including Carn Ingli. Distance: 13 miles 21 km).
Newport to Poppit: A tough walk in wild surroundings. It’s quite a long way but there’s no easy way to tackle it apart from doing it all in one go. You can escape at the mid point at Ceibwr Bay but you need to walk inland to Moylegrove to pick up the bus. Cemaes Head is probably the best place in Wales for seal pup spotting in the autumn. Distance: 14 miles 24 km

North Pembrokeshire Holiday Cottages iknow-wales.co.uk