Post archive

St David's peninsula guide

Beaches: Abercastle, Abermawr, Traethllyfn, Abereiddy, Whitesands, Solva
City:  St Davids  (population ca. 1,800) - Officially Britain's smallest City
Villages:  Mathry,  Square and Compass,  Croes-goch,  Trefin,   Llanrhian,
Places to visit - Religious:  St Davids Cathedral, Bishops Palace, St Nons
- Coastal:  Blue Lagoon (near Abereiddy), Porthgain Harbour, Porthclais
Harbour, Solva Harbour, Ramsey Island
- Historical:  Lime Kilns,  Carreg Sampson Cromlech,  Iron Age Forts
- Views:  Carn Llidi (181m),  Penberry (175m)
Sports: surfing, rock climbing, kayaking, coasteering, kite flying!
Interests: ornithology, geology, botany, painting, photography
Things to do: walk the coast path - go on a boat trip - surf the waves -
try some local sea food - see the coastal flowers in May and June - visit a beach during a winters storm - visit a craft outlet - relax - stay longer.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2011

Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2011

Winner of Gold True Taste 'Food Tourism Destination' & Pembrokeshire Tourism's 'Premier Event Award' 09/10.

                                  
 For a small county, it's a whopper of a festival.  

Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2011 is packed with more than 250 events between 25th June and 3rd July.

 It celebrates the Welsh county's first-class seafood, spectacular coastline, wonderful clean beaches, and fascinating maritime heritage.  

 Love the outdoors? Come and enjoy guided island and beach walks, eco-fishing adventures, coasteering, and much more.

Take an evening boat trip finishing at a riverside pub, or learn how to forage for delicious edibles along the Pembrokeshire coast.

If you're bringing the family, there's loads of fun in store. Explore crystal-clear rockpools and find out what lives on our beaches in seashore safaris.

Learn to windsurf, take part in seaside sports, or make some wonderful creations in beach-inspired art and craft workshops.    

 And if you love fish and shellfish, then you're in for a treat!  

 Tuck into the freshest local produce at the county's restaurants and pubs all week long -from local lobster to fresh crab salads and seafood extravaganzas, or good old beer-battered fish with hand-cut Pembrokeshire chips.  

 There are also lots of opportunities for cooks to learn how to get the best out of their fish and shellfish, with masterclasses, workshops and speciality cookery classes.

  The festival is also a feast for anglers of all ages and level of ability.

Come and pit your wits against the best in sea angling and coarse fishing championships.

There are also family coaching days and learn-to-fish sessions if you fancy getting hooked on one of Britain's favourite sports.    

 Pembrokeshire Fish Week is organised by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The festival won the Gold Award in the Food Tourism Destination category in the True Taste Food and Drink Awards 2009/ 2010, and Pembrokeshire Tourism's 'Premier Event Award' 2009 / 2010. 

It is part funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is financed by the EU and the Welsh Assembly Government.  

 

Contact:
Kate Morgan, Food Officer

Pembrokeshire County Council
County Hall
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 1TP

Tel: 01437 776168

Email:
Kate.Morgan@Pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Web: http://www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk

St David's Really Wild Festival

Held within sight of the sea and the ancient Cathedral, the 7th Really Wild Festival will take place in St Davids on Friday 29th & Saturday 30th July.

It’s the wildest two days of culinary delights, rural traditions, storytelling and countryside fun you could want, and regular favourites and exciting new exhibitors have already been booking in for this year’s weekend of fun and madness!

It champions rural life, and how we can make the most of it!! It offers the chance to get back in touch with the countryside; eat it, cook it, learn about it, even play with it! Promoting and showcasing locally grown or produced food, or wild ingredients foraged from the hedgerows, coast, beach and river there will loads to see and do, AND to eat of course!!

There will be a music event for the first time, at the end of the festival on Saturday evening, so keep checking up so that you don’t miss the details!!

Four terrific chefs will be signing up for the cookery demos on Saturday and Sunday, and the ever popular Ferret-Racing Wellie-Wanging, and Pig-Racing will be there to torment and entertain!! This friendly festival has something for EVERYBODY with walks, talks, masses of food & drink, whacky entertainments, and hands-on madness for each member of the family!!

The third Really Wild Festival Verge will take place over the week around the festival with art, craft and food events for adults and children.

More details of the Really Wild Festival and the Verge events will be available on the Festival website as they are confirmed so don’t miss them!

www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
julia@reallywildfestival.co.uk

Activities

There are many activities to do in Pembrokeshire such as surfing, coasteering, kayaking, climbing, walking etc.

  Surfing Surfer at Whitesands

Many of the beaches in Wales receive fantastic waves, ideal for surfing.

Such beaches include Whitesands (near St David's), Abereiddy, Freshwater East, Newgale and Manorbier.

You can hire surfboards at many of the beaches.

There are also many surf schools in Pembrokeshire.

  

Surfing in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Watch it...




Coasteering

What is CoasteeCoasteeringring?

Wetsuited up, plus buoyancy aid, helmet and trainers you will see the coast from a whole new dimension while adventure swimming, rock hopping and cliff jumping.  Coasteering is inspirational, whether in a boiling turmoil of water and rocks, or a calm glassy sea. See video about coasteering....



Celtic Quest Coasteering

Cycling in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park


Windsurfing in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park


Climbing in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park



Tim Emmett, Extreme Sportsman in the Pembrokeshire Coast

Kayaking in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park




Activities in Pembrokeshire
Includes details of all sorts of activities to do in Pembrokeshire
Activity Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire's attractions

When the children have had enough of the beach or the Welsh weather turns inclement, why not take the family down to one of the fabulous attractions Pembrokeshire has to offer. Mny are suitable for rainy days.


Folly Farm
Folly Farm

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo is one of the top paid-for visitor attractions in Wales and winner of the Best Family Day Out in Pembrokeshire.  Located near Tenby in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, Folly Farm offers affordable fun days out for the whole family. 

With six fun-filled amusement and activity zones, some of which are undercover, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Come and see the Jolly Farm animals or ride on the fairground rides in the indoor Funfair.  Enjoy the outdoor Adventure Parks and Carousel Woods indoor Adventure Playground.  Visit Follywood Country Park and the Zoo, which is home to the only giraffes in Wales

 

 Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is a place where carefree summers and cold winter nights come alive with breathtaking rides, rapid rivers and flumes, relaxing pools and special places just for kids. It's a fun-filled, sub-tropical waterpark that guarantees thrilling aqua-adventures.

 

Manor House Wildlife ParkManor house park

 Experience close-up meetings with endangered animals from all over the world. From TV stars Steve and Lisa, Tommy the Tapir and his new mate Rio, and  the newly born and rare Bactrian camel, to mobs of meerkats, emus and ostrich, horses, oryx and zebra - Manor House is special.
 
Set in 52 acres of protected Pembrokeshire Parkland, this is also a paradise for native flora and fauna.
 
The Wild Welsh Zoo has something for everyone - from the network of intimate tree-shaded walkways and wide open spaces for picnics and barbeques, it's a place for all the family to enjoy.

Clerkenhill Adventure Farm
Clerkenhill

Follow the safe adventure trail through the spooky woodland with lots of interesting swings and slides and sights along the way, watch out for giants, bears and spooks! There is even a beach, but beware of the sharks! Have a chat with the animals around the park. Watch the children laughing and playing in the numerous large play areas which include giant tube tunnel slides.
Heatherton

Heatherton

Heatherton World of Activities near Tenby in Pembrokeshire is open all year and it's one of Wales' favourite 'All Weather Attractions' with many activities under cover. So you can have a fantastic day out, no matter what the weather! So whether you want a relaxing or sports filled activity fun day, or an adrenalin-fuelled, extreme adventure day, Heatherton has it!

Also at Heatherton is the fanta
Treetops trailstic new "Treetops Trail". Tree Tops Trail is an outdoor tree top adventure activity that will give you a day to remember. With four Treetops Courses and two Junior Treetops Courses to test your skills, you will be swinging through the trees on rope bridges and tarzan swings at heights up to 40 feet before returning to earth via the numerous zip lines.  2010 saw the opening of the new Sky Tower which adds a whole new course that can be done as an extension to the existing courses or as a stand alone option.


Oakwood
Oakwood theme park
Pembrokeshire's theme park.




Merlin's MagicMerlin's Magic

An exciting indoor play centre set in a wonderful wizard's world. Based in Haverfordwest. The main soft play area includes a 3 lane Astra slide, fun rope bridges, ball pools and a special spooky room. There is also a separate safe area for Under 5's, a toddlers' playroom. Merlins' Munchies cafe serves a wide range of hot meals and snacks. There is a large free car park.

Galleries

Pembrokeshire is a hotspot for artists drawn to its picturesque coast and countryside. There are dozens of galleries across the county.

Oriel-Felin Gallery

Exciting new gallery in the centre of St Davids. Relocated from Trefin, it has been described as "a jewel in the artistic landscape". Pembrokeshire's only gallery showing original work by St David's artist Pauline Beynon and the wonderfully, quirky work of Susie Grindey along with carefully chosen paintings, ceramics, glass, bronzes and stainless steel from both local and invited artists.Oriel-y-Felin

 









The Slate Wokshop
Owl
Fine engraved Welsh slate house-names, numbers, plaques, memorials, sundials and clocks. Beautiful sculptures, benches, bird baths, vases, lamp bases, cheeseboards, bookends, tea-light holders, barometers, bowls, wine racks and tableware. Commissions are welcome.

Pembrokeshire's islands

Skomer

Skomer is an enchanting island with just about everything an island nature reserve should include. It is the second largest island in Wales, after Anglesey, and one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe. Skomer lies just off the Pembrokeshire coast, separated from the mainland by the turbulent waters of the Jack Sound. Skomer measures 2 miles, east to west; and almost 1.5 miles, north to south.

The central ridge of the island reaches 260 feet high. Skomer is owned by the Countryside Commission for Wales (CCW) and leased by them to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. For nine months of the year, a warden lives on the island. Half a million seabirds nest here each year.

For bird watchers, this makes it one of the best sites to visit in Europe, especially during Springtime, when the bluebells and coastal flowers (sea and red campion, pink thrift) present a wonderful coloured carpet for the birdsBluebells to land on.

The sheer cliffs support Guillemots (14,000 individuals), Kittiwakes (2,000 pairs), Razorbills (3,500 individuals) and Fulmars (700 pairs). Midland Island, which separates Skomer and the mainland, is home to a colony of Shags (over 30 pairs). About 16 pairs of Cormorants nest on the Mew Stone, to the south of the island.

Perhaps the most popular bird to observe on Skomer is the comical "Pembrokeshire Parrot", the Puffin; over 6000 pairs breed on the island each year; the first to arrive in 2005 were spotted on 19th March.

The world's largest colony of Manx Shearwaters (over 150,000 breeding pairPuffinss), is also resident. These birds return to their burrows in early May each year, rearing a single chick, before travelling to South Atlantic fishing grounds in September; in 2005, the first Shearwater arrived on 6th March. On Skomer's heath and grassland, Lesser Black Backed Gulls nest (11,000 pairs), together with Great Black Backed (over 80 pairs) and Herring Gulls (460 pairs). Curlews, Short-Eared Owls (who prey on the unique Skomer Vole), Buzzards, Kestrels, Peregrine and Oystercatchers also make their home here.

The beaches are a year round home to one of the largest seal colonies in the southwest (up to 200). Skomer's waters are Wales' only statutory Marine Nature Reserve, and one of only three in the United Kingdom. Coral grows offshore, fed by the rich flow of the warm Gulf Stream. Over seventy species of sponges have been recorded here.
 


Useful websites:

http://www.welshwildlife.org/skomerIntro_en.link

http://www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk/show/english/skomer.aspx

http://skomerisland.blogspot.com/Caldey lighthouse

Skomer Videos

Caldey island

Caldey island lies to the South of Tenby and can be accessed via boat from Tenby Harbour. It is one of Britain's holy islands. The Cisterian monks of Caldey continue a tradition which began there in Celtic times. There is a lighthouse, chocolate factory, perfume shop, cafe with play area, churches, Abbey shop and beautiful beaches.

Useful websites:

http://www.caldey-island.co.uk/

http://www.tenbyseacruises.com/

 

Ramsey Island

This dramatic offshore island has cliffs up to 120 m high, the perfect place for breeding seabirds in spring and early summer. Walk along the coastal heathland and enjoy the spectacular views.

The island is awash with colour from May to September, with bluebells, then pink thrift and purple heather. You might see choughs and peregrines nesting on the cliffs. And if you visit in the autumn, you can watch a colony of breeding grey seals. There
is a small shop on the island and refreshments are available.

Ramsey video

Pembrokeshire - One Man and his Campervan

Martin Dorey visited Pembrokeshire in the BBC2 programme shown tonight at 6:30pm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=One%20Man%20and%20His%20Campervan

Lovely views of Pembrokeshire and its coast. He stayed at Caerfai Farm campsite http://www.cawscaerfai.co.uk/index1.html which is a lovely campsite run by really friendly organic farmers. Below the campsite is a small but beautiful beach. We stayed there last summer in Daisy.Please click here for full details for travelling to Caerfai Farm

 

One Man and his Campervan - Martin Dorey

Pembrokeshire

Today, 18:30 on BBC Two (except Northern Ireland (Analogue), Wales (Analogue))

Synopsis

Episode image for Pembrokeshire

New series which sees Martin Dorey, campervan lover and passionate foodie, journeys around Britain in his 1970s classic campervan on the ultimate escapist adventure.

Martin travels around the UK meeting growers, fishermen, farmers, larger-than-life local experts and fellow holiday makers. Martin forages for local delicacies and cooks for his new-found friends, creating local dishes in his small campervan kitchen.

In the last episode, the final leg of Martin Dorey's 2500 mile campervan trip around the UK finshes in Pembrokeshire. He rustles up a foraged flower cordial, and gets the whole family involved in creating camper van burgers. But could the trip end sooner that he expected?

Pembrokeshire's castles

Remnants of Pembrokeshire's fascinating past can be found in abundance across the county. Places of historic interest include prehistoric tombs, Celtic crosses, Norman castles, medieval churches, Victorian forts and numerous buildings of architectural importance. 

Among the most exciting places to visit for younger members of the family are the castles brimming with ghostly tales and stories of battles and invasion.

 Popular places to visit include the castles at Manorbier, Carew, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Picton and Cilgerran.

Manorbier castle

 With such a splendid setting overlooking a beautiful unspoilt beach, famiManorbier castlelies love to explore Manorbier Castle and bring a little bit of history to life.

The impressive Great Hall, Chapel and Turrets are dotted with life size figures - see children of the Tudor period and some prisoners in the dungeon.

Enjoy delicious light bites and refreshments in the stylish cafe. Locally made cakes and icecreams, freshly ground coffee, and soup.

Before you leave, take a moment to sit in the walled gardens designed by Daphne Shackleton one of Irelands foremost plantswomen, and just soak up the wonderful atmosphere that time has passed by.

 Carew castle

Carew castle 

The magnificent Carew Castle has a history spanning 2000 years. Set in a stunning location, overlooking a 23 acre millpond, the castle displays the development from a Norman fortification to an Elizabethan country house. The site incorporates an impressive 11th century Celtic Cross, the only restored Tidal Mill in Wales, a medieval bridge and a picnic area all linked by a delightful mile roundwalk.


Pembroke Castle

Idyllically set on the banks of the river estuary, this mighty fortress is largely intact, and its endless passages, tunnels and stairways are great fun to explore, plus there are super exhibitions, which tell the tale of its medieval life. Once the seat of a succession of major barons who played leading roles in shaping Britain's history, this historic showpiece is the birthplace of Henry Tudor, father to the infamous Henry VIII and grandfather of Elizabeth I.

Spend a day, and picnic in the beautifully kept grounds, enjoy views along the ePembroke castlestuary while partaking of refreshments from the snack bar. Visit the Brass Rubbing Centre and make an attractive souvenir. Complete your visit with a walk around the medieval town walls and millpond, and from the opposite bank of the river, view the castle in all its splendour, surrounded by this peaceful stretch of water.




For more information on Pembrokeshire castles and places to visit, see:

www.visitpembrokeshire.co.uk
www.castlewales.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
 

St David's Dragon Parade 26th February 2011

 

St Davids Welsh dragons parade leads way for half term events

Britain’s smallest city is set for a spectacular sight again this year as life-size dragons line the streets to celebrate St David’s Day.

The parade, organised by staff at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, will take place on Saturday 26th February at 11am as dragons join the more traditional pilgrims and costumed Welsh folk.

 

Speaking of the parade, Oriel y Parc’s Manager Julie Rogers said: “Schools, youth groups and playgroups are all welcome to come and claim a dragon’s head, decorate a train and join the parade.


“The parade will be led by the Air Training Corps band, and will hopefully be just as much, if not even more, of a success. Those involved will parade from Oriel y Parc, down to Cross Square before returning to Oriel y Parc.

“Members of the public are encouraged to join the parade on the day as well, providing that they are suitably attired, for example in Welsh costume or dragon’s outfits.”

Oriel y Parc will be hosting Creative Fusion Craft events from February 21st to March 1st. There will also be all day drop in craft sessions in the Discovery Room on February 22nd and February 25th costing £2 per child.

On St Davids Day on March 1st at twelve noon there will be a unique chance to see the sunlight on the St Davids Stone at Oriel y Parc. Follow up this truly Welsh experience with a two-mile bilingual walk taking in St Non’s and Porthclais with National Park Ranger Phil Lees.

For more information about the parade, walk or any of the craft sessions please ring Oriel y Parc on 01437 720392.

Adventure Days with Preseli Venture

Adventure days in Wales

Preseli Venture offer awesome adventure days in Wales, full of action packed outdoor adventures where you experience the exhilaration of sea kayaking, the best of coasteering in Pembrokeshire, cliff jumping, and surfing on the wild and unspoilt National Park coast.

If you are staying in one of our VW campervans, then why not join them for a half day or a full day of refreshing outdoor adventure, fun and exhilaration!

Campsites in Pembrokeshire open in the low season - Winter

Here are some Pembrokeshire Campsites which are open outside of the main season:

 

 

 

 



 http://www.garnisaf.com

  • Windmill Hill Farm, Pembroke

- http://www.windmillhillcaravanpark.co.uk/

Pembrokeshire is 2nd best coastal destination

National Geographic recently named Pembrokehires as joint second in the best rated coastal destination in the world.

Whale spotting at Fishguard

Winter whale-spotting first on Fishguard-Rosslare ferry

Fin Whale seen from aboard the Fishguard-Rosslare ferry
 
 Sea Trust volunteers spotted the fin whales during their monthly survey from the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry
 
Wildlife volunteers have sighted two giant fin whales in Welsh waters.

A survey team from the Sea Trust spotted the mammals from the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry.

The charity said while fin whales have been seen on the route during the summer it was the first time it had seen them in winter.

Survey coordinator Cliff Benson said it was "incredibly exciting" and their presence was possibly due to recovering herring stocks.

“It was incredibly exciting, the whales blast a thirty foot high column of vapour skywards as they surface to breath”

Cliff Benson Sea Trust

He said volunteers were alerted by "towering water blows" from the sea while on the bridge of the Stena Europe on Thursday.

The Sea Trust carries out monthly surveys from the ferry.

"Over the past few years both fin whales and humpback whales have started wintering off the southern Irish coast, probably attracted by recovering herring stocks," he said.

"From our observations common dolphins are becoming more numerous in the southern Irish Sea during the winter months and now we have recorded these fin whales.

"It was incredibly exciting, the whales blast a thirty foot high column of vapour skywards as they surface to breath.

"In the cold winter air, the blow hangs in the sky like a massive crystal plume before slowly dissipating".

Mr Benson said fin whales grow up to 25m in length and can weigh more than 70 tonnes.

"We have seen them in Welsh waters several times now in the summer months but this is the first time we have recorded them in the winter.

"There is so much we do not know about whales and dolphins, but with the help of Stena Line allowing us to conduct our monthly surveys aboard their ferry, over the past eight years, Sea Trust volunteers are slowly building a unique picture of their presence in the southern Irish Sea".

Orca whale off Pembrokeshire

Meet John Coe the orca whale who visits Wales each year

Orca called John Coe For the last three years an Orca called John Coe has been spotted off Pembrokeshire
 
Meet John Coe. He's become something of a regular to the Pembrokeshire coast, passing through annually over the last three years.

Enthusiasts who know their whales book boat trips off St David's between May-June hoping to see the orca's return.

He's never alone, travelling with a group of up to eight females and their young.

Whale sightings are becoming common in Wales, following news of the first winter visits of giant fin whales.

Volunteers from the Sea Trust were alerted by "towering water blows" from the sea while on the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry last Thursday.

Over the past few years both fin whales and humpback whales have started wintering off the southern Irish coast.

And John Coe's small group of killer whales - that inhabit the waters off the west coast of Scotland - have also been seen off the Irish coast at Cork.

Now, daily dolphin and whale watching trips are being run in Wales.

"On most of the trips you see dolphins where as whales - pilots, fins, minke whale - they are not so obvious so you have to be looking at the right place at the right time," says Cindy Pearce who runs boat trips from Thousand Islands Expeditions, St David's.

"A lot of people still don't realise that we have whales and dolphins, but news is starting to spread."

She says a particular favourite is the orca. John Coe was first photographed by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in 1992.

And he has been regularly seen ever since by the charity based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, clearly recognisable due to a large "notch" in his dorsal fin.

"We normally see John Coe with about five to eight females and young but he normally passes through that one day," said Cindy Pearce.

Cardigan Bay - or the "dolphin coast" as it is becoming known - is regarded as one of the best places to see bottle-nose dolphins.

And they are proving a big draw according to Steve Hartley from Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre who is one three boat operators to run dolphin and whale watching trips from Newquay.

"Locals have always known the bottle-nose were here but it was a well kept secret," he said.

"More and more their profile is being raised. But with that comes a problem and we need to make sure we protect the animals."

Mr Hartley doesn't think dolphin and whale watching will become a big business in Wales.

"We just don't have the concentration to build up a full-on whale watching operation," he said.

Meanwhile, in Pembrokeshire, Cindy Pearce says she doesn't want the area to be "over-populated" with boats.

"But it would be nice for everybody to realise just how much wildlife we do have in the area - far more than people realise," she said.

Family holidays

Our campervans are ideal for families. They sleep 4 and there's room for 2 more in the driveaway awning. Pembrokeshire is fabulous for children as the beaches are so safe and clean. Whitesands beach near St David's is ideal.

Click here for RSS feed