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Stackpole Head and the Lily Ponds.

Start. Stackpole Quay.

Route. Stackpole Quay - Barafundle Bay - Griffith Lorts Hole - Stackpole Head - Mowingword - Raming Hole - Sandy Pit - Saddle Point - Broad Haven - Lily Ponds - Bosherston - Lily Ponds - Eight Arch Bridge - Stackpole Park - Stackpole Quay.

Notes. An exceptional good walk around the Stackpole Estate exploring a magnificent stretch of sea sculptured coastline between Stackpole Quay and Broad Haven, sea stacks, caves, arches, secret inlets and outstanding headlands. In complete contrast our return was made via the grandest water feature in Wales, the Lily Ponds created by the Cawdon family who lived in a grand house, Stackpole Court.

Our day started amongst lots of people in a rather large car park at Stackpole Quay, it seemed they were all heading in our direction, except we were toting back backs they all carried beach gear and cool boxes. A well used path guided us and them to the right of the tea room, here a flight of steps climbed to the cliff top, with close cropped grass under foot, the parade continued strung out through the fields, it was soon obvious where the crowds were heading, Barafundle Bay a wonderful arch of golden sand soon to be swamped by sun seekers.

After crossing the sands we left the crowds behind, a steep ascent through woodland of sycamore followed before stepping out into the stunning scenery of Stackpole Head, a path crosses the undulating grassland but it’s far better to stick to the coast. We hugged the coast as close to the precipitous drops as we dared, after swinging around Mowingword we wandered above the stunning bay beyond, cliffs, massive boulders, caves and stacks all drew the eye. We continued over a green trod passed a massive blowhole, the path rounded Saddle Point gifting us with views over Broad Haven another beautiful golden beach, on reaching a kissing gate the green trod ended to be replaced by a sandy path. Soft sand makes for hard walking, the path climbed the dunes in the company of a part buried dry stone wall, we climbed with it, as we stumbled over the top the Lily Ponds tilted into view.

After descending to the ponds we had a choice to make, follow the right path along the shore or the left, we opted for the latter, there’s a cafe and inn at Bosherston, either would do it was lunch time, thirst and hunger pangs were getting the better of us. Along the shore we wandered, on reaching the car park we ascended to access the village, the cafe came first, we sat outside in the shade of a large tree and dined.

Lunch over, sufficiently refreshed we re-traced our steps to the ponds. Our journey continued crossing a couple of long narrow bridges, our aiming point, the much wider elegant Eight Arch Bridge, a substantial structure carrying a track over the ponds. Once across said track guided us between electric fences, through the cow pastures of the Stackpole Estate depositing us back in the car park at Stackpole Quay.

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home.

Viewing Stackpole Head from pastures above Stackpole Quay.

First views of Barafundle Bay.

Striding out over the golden sands of Barafundle Bay.

Nestled between rocky headlands, backed by high dunes, kissed by a turquoise sea the stunning beach at Barafundle Bay.

Ascending through the dappled light of a sycamore cops.

Sue explores the Griffith Lorts Hole.

Along the craggy edge where land meets sea.

Stunning views along the cliffs and climbing crags of the Pembrokeshire coast.

Caught in flight the illusive Chough.

Approaching Mowingword looking over Broad Haven Bay.

Mowingword Bay, at low tide there's a beautiful sandy beach here, only accessible by boat, or by dangling from ropes down it's famous climbing cliffs.