United Kingdom
The Boathouse Tearoom is a little National Trust cafe, located by the world's smallest harbour and offering a great selection of hot and cold food to sustain visitors on the half-mile trek to Barafundle Bay. We tried the scones with home-made jam and clotted cream and bought some locally produced honey.
beta.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole
Stackpole Quay, Stackpole, SA71 5DE, Wales
+44 1646 672672
Google map: bit.ly/nIN09e
Often voted the best beach in Britain, Barafundle Bay is definitely worth the walk over the rugged cliffs.
The wide bay is filled with golden sand bordered by dunes at the back and craggy cliffs with rockpools and secret caves on either side. A wonderful place for a picnic, a paddle or a potter in the rockpools.
Visitors can park their cars at Stackpole Quay, have a bite to eat in the National Trust cafe in the boathouse and see the world's smallest harbour, with room for just one boat!
Barafundle Bay, Stackpole Quay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google map: bit.ly/p5yNCJ
Cromwell's Tavern is a friendly local pub, found near the castle in the heart of Pembroke.
It's a great place to try Welsh bitters and admire all the music memorabilia: framed pictures of Kiss, Jimi Hendrix and others line the walls and we didn't dare take on the locals at pool, after spotting all the trophies in a glass cabinet!
2 Westgate Hill, Pembroke, Dyfed SA71 0NU
+44 1646 682718
Google map: bit.ly/qC3vOO
Why not stay in the good old UK, and visit a tranquil part of Welsh Wales!?
This lovely family run campsite is right on the edge of the cliff and boasts absolutely breathtaking panoramic views of the coast.
A stunning and empty sandy beach is only 200m away, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park runs past the site entrance. Next door to the campsite there is a great farm shop selling organic produce and freshly baked croissants.
Truly the perfect spot, and from £8 a night – you can’t be robbed!
Ffordd Caerfai, St. Davids, Haverfordwest SA62 6QT
+44(0)1437 720274
www.caerfaibay.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/lkvZVh
You can do all of these things if you dare to venture to Pembrokeshire for a session of coasteering.
My wife and I went for a compromise of the adrenaline junkie and scenic views adventure and we found both in equal quantities. We stayed In a small B&B near St David’s and visited the Cathedral for a little calm before the following mornings storm. It is well worth the visit.
The next morning we arrived with little expectation of what the day had in stall for us, but the briefing soon sorted that out. While we were told of the Cliff jumping, climbing, scrambleling and swimming that we would be doing we changed into wetsuits and safety gear. Before we knew it, we were making our way down to the Pembrokeshire National Park coastline starting with the easy tasks of cliff climbing and long jumps into the sea. As the day progressed, we tried such landmarks as the washing machine, the quarry jump, the angled run and the toilet (not to be missed). Three to four hours later, we were back in the lodge warming ourselves with a cup of tea and chasers laughing with the rest of our group.
Some of the route was real edge of you wetsuit stuff, especially as there was a good swell while we were there. However, there were options at all stages to suit all abilities, Lower jumps if you like, or for the more enthusiastic in our group a chance to practice your Bear Grillis style back flip off a cliff.
Give it a try as it will not limit your adventure time to just one activity and you can be there and back in a weekend.
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Just before the little road which leads down to Barafundle Bay is the Stackpole Inn. A great little pub with fantastic beers and even better food. Recommended to anyone before or after a trip to Barafundle.
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