Directions: SR 967931 / OS Explorer Map OL36
Our route starts in the car park above St Govan's,
and driving there you'll see signs warning you about
the Ministry of Defence firing range next door.
Derek Brockway says...
I've been to Tenby and Saundersfoot a few times
but never to this part of the Pembrokeshire
peninsula before. So despite recovering from a
nasty dose of chickenpox, I was quite excited at the
prospect of doing this walk.
As you walk down the 70 or so stone steps to the chapel, you immediately forget
about the 21st century and all the distant rumblings that furnish it. I say 70 or so steps, because legend has it that no-one can accurately count the
number.
The chapel was definitely here in the 11th
century, and it could possibly date all the way back
to the 6th century.
Part of the walk is through a MOD firing range but
don't let this put you off. The scenery along the
coast is breathtaking and try to visit the historic
chapel at St Govan's Head.
It's a steep climb but
while you are there you can always pray for good
weather!
The golden sandy beach at Broad Haven South is
beautiful and then just around the corner are the
fabulous lily ponds at Bosherston Lake, a haven
for plants and wildlife. The water here is clear
and full of life.
The best bit, though, has to be the
wonderful beach at Barafundle Bay. It's so peaceful
and quiet here: unspoilt by the twenty-first century,
making it a perfect spot for a summer picnic.
When you reach Stackpole Quay you can treat yourself in
the café and if you're feeling tired catch a bus back
to St Govan's!
Lynne Ferrand - Pembrokeshire Coast National Park says...
This walk has everything: stunning scenery, dramatic cliffs, history, archaeology, amazing lily ponds and fantastic beaches. And it constantly changes with time and tide, weather and seasons.
Watch the acrobatic antics of the chough, smell the fishy cliffnesting
sites of the razorbills and guillemots or the sweeter
smell of wild honeysuckle and feel the historic atmosphere
within St Govan's Chapel, nestling in a steep sided cliff.
The majority of this walk is flat with steeper climbs to and from
the beaches. It can be walked in one stretch
of 9.5 km or broken down into manageable
chunks using the local bus service.
And, if like Derek, you enjoy visiting local
tea rooms, then you're in for a treat as
there's a great one at Stackpole Quay!
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Magical chapel of St Govan: the water here - which
has to be scooped out with a small spoon or sea shell - is allegedly blessed
with healing properties.
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Broadhaven Beach look out for: Church Rock, which used to be called Stack Pole (from the
Welsh, Stack Pwll, roughly translated as Stack 'pool' or 'inlet') and it was
this rock that originally gave the estate its name.
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Weatherman Walking: St Govans to Stackpole Quay
