SPECTACULAR WALK AROUND DINAS ISLAND
Dinas Island was our first walk while on Easter school holidays in Pembrokeshire. I have never been to Pembrokeshire and I’ve always wanted to visit. My husband has only been to Fishguard and St David’s which we are hoping to visit tomorrow.
Pembrokeshire is a county in the southwest of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and the sea everywhere else.
The county is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only national park in the United Kingdom established primarily because of the coastline; the Park occupies more than a third of the area of the county and includes the Preseli Hills in the north as well as the 186-mile (299 km) Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
About the Route
This circular walk around Dinas Island is about 3 miles ( 4.8 km) long and it took us about 2.5 hours mainly because we did it with out 6 years old son and were stopping quite often. This walk is dog friendly.
National Trust Walking Route Map
We were not that lucky with the weather the previous week in Mid Wales but as soon as we arrived in Pembrokeshire the weather improved and we had a lovely sunny morning walk around the island.
We started the walk from the Pwllgwaelod car park which is free and has toilet facilities.
We followed this National Trust route clockwise. I also saw some suggestions on the internet that some people do this route anti-clockwise which makes the ups and downs more friendly especially when it is wet and muddy.
The path essentially circles the island so there are fine views for most of the way. It’s a little steep at places; note that it climbs to 465 feet (142m) above the sea level but overall fairly easy. It’s perfectly doable for most people. We met a number of families with young children and parties of older folk on our visit. Most of the walk is on National Trust land.
Ordnance Survey Trigonometry Station with fine views north to the cliffs at Pen-yr-Afr and inland to the Preselis. Look for the rugged summit of Carn Ingli, which we climbed few days later. 🙂
Such spectacular views. I am so glad it was a sunny weather with great visibility.
Directly above Cwm yr Eglwys beach is the remains of the old 12th Century church of St. Brynach. Now only the west wall remains and the graveyard, Cwm yr Eglwys church was destroyed during a violent storm in October 1859.
At the end of the walk you can enjoy a drink and food at the old smugglers pub/restaurant called The Old Sailors dating from 1593 on the beautiful Pwllgwaelod beach. Formerly the Sailors Safety, it is named for the light it once kept burning as a guide to ships. From the garden there are views across Fishguard Bay to the ferry port. This is a convenient stop for refreshment between Newport and Fishguard when walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal path.
A wide selection of local seafood is on the menu daily, with the local crab and lobster; a must for all seafood lovers. It was visited by the Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas at least once.
I highly recommend this walk if your are in the area. I would definitely do it again!
We were than heading to our rented barn at Gernos Farm. Our son was very excited that it was an “upside-down” house and that he would sleep on a bunk bed.
We stayed for 5 nights and absolutely loved it. It was very spacious for 3 of us and there was everything what you would need including a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and WIFI (though it is much better in some areas than others).
The owners Penny and Ian are amazing hosts and lovely, easy going people. They have ponies, dogs, chickens, ducks and sheep. We have seen freshly born lambs and enjoyed fresh chicken and duck eggs for our breakfast.
The location of the farm is well situated for the local sights and the coastal scenery. While we were staying at the farm we visited the Britain’s smallest city, St David’s with its amazing cathedral; walked around Dinas Island, as described above; visited St David’s Head; climbed Carn Ingli; visited an Iron Age village Castell Henllys and explored the colourful town of Tenby, all within an hour drive from the farm.
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