Pembrokeshire Coast National Park ( cy, Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro) is a
national park along the
Pembrokeshire coast in west
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
.
It was established as a National Park in 1952. It is one of three national parks in Wales, the others being the
Brecon Beacons () and
Snowdonia
Snowdonia or Eryri (), is a mountainous region in northwestern Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951.
Name and extent
It was a commonly held belief that the na ...
(). It is the only national park in the United Kingdom to consist largely of coastal landscapes.
Landscape
:''See also
Geology of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park''
The National Park has a varied landscape of rugged
cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is an area of rock which has a general angle defined by the vertical, or nearly vertical. Cliffs are formed by the processes of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity. Cliffs are common on co ...
s, sandy
beach
A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc sh ...
es, wooded estuaries, wild inland hills, the moorland of the Preseli Hills and the wooded valley. The total area is . There are four distinct sections: clockwise these are the south Pembrokeshire coast, including
Caldey Island
Caldey Island ( Welsh:''Ynys Bŷr'') is a small island near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, less than off the coast. With a recorded history going back over 1,500 years, it is one of the holy islands of Britain. A number of traditions inherited ...
; the estuary; the
St Bride's Bay
St Brides Bay ( cy, Bae Sain Ffraid) is a bay in western Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
Either Skomer Island or the mainland extremity of Wooltack Point at the western end of the Marloes Peninsula marks the southern limit of the bay whilst its nort ...
coast, including the coastal islands; and the
Preseli Hills.
The
geology
Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other astronomical objects, the features or rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Ea ...
of the area is of particular interest with many good exposures both inland and along the coast, exhibiting a variety of rock types and structural features such as
natural arch
A natural arch, natural bridge, or (less commonly) rock arch is a natural landform where an arch has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland cliffs, coastal cliffs, fins or stacks are subject to erosion ...
es,
stacks,
rock folding and
sea cave
A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea. The primary process involved is erosion. Sea caves are found throughout the world, actively forming along present coastlines and as relic ...
s. A stack of note is Elegug Stacks (), two large detached pillars of limestone which in the spring provide valued nesting sites for razorbills and guillemots. In the north, the rocks of , and , together with the extensive
moorland on and , give an exposed and mountainous feel to the landscape, cut through by the wooded valleys of the and
Nevern. In the west, the National Park is dominated by the broad sweep of
St Bride's Bay
St Brides Bay ( cy, Bae Sain Ffraid) is a bay in western Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
Either Skomer Island or the mainland extremity of Wooltack Point at the western end of the Marloes Peninsula marks the southern limit of the bay whilst its nort ...
, bounded at its northern end by
Ramsey Island
Ramsey Island (Welsh: ''Ynys Dewi'') is an island about off St David's Head in Pembrokeshire on the northern side of St Brides Bay, in southwest Wales, in the community of St Davids and the Cathedral Close. It is in area. Ramsey means (in Old ...
, near
St David's
St Davids or St David's ( cy, Tyddewi, , "David's house”) is a city and a community (named St Davids and the Cathedral Close) with a cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Alun. It is the resting place of Saint David, W ...
peninsula, and at its southern end by
Skomer
Skomer () or Skomer Island is an island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, in the community of Marloes and St Brides in west Wales. It is well known for its wildlife: around half the world's population of Manx shearwaters nest on the island, the A ...
. The southern coast is another contrast, with the limestone plateau and cliffs of the
Castlemartin peninsula, the steep-sided wooded valleys inland from
Amroth; the
Bosherston lakes — now, like much of the coastal strip, in the care of the
National Trust
The National Trust, formally the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, is a charity and membership organisation for heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, there is a separate and ...
— and the tourist resorts of
Tenby
Tenby ( cy, Dinbych-y-pysgod, lit=fortlet of the fish) is both a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the western side of Carmarthen Bay, and a local government community.
Notable features include of sandy beaches and the Pembroke ...
and
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot ( cy, Llanusyllt; Old Welsh: ''Llanussyllt'') is a large village and community (and former electoral ward) in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is near Tenby, both being holiday destinations. Saundersfoot lies in the Pembrokeshire Coast Natio ...
. Between the western and southern areas of the National Park lies the
Milford Haven waterway, where the tranquil estuary feeds into one of the finest natural deep water harbours in the world.
The National Park includes many sites (such as ) of historic and archaeological importance and areas which are of national or international nature conservation significance in their own right, including 7
Special Areas of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as the ''Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora''. They are to protect the 220 habitats and ap ...
, a
Marine Nature Reserve Marine nature reserve (MNR) is a conservation designation officially awarded by a government to a marine reserve of national significance. Republic of Ireland
Lough Hyne, a marine lake off of County Cork, is Ireland's only marine nature reserve. Un ...
, 6
national nature reserves and 75
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle of ...
.
In 2011 ''
National Geographic Traveler
''National Geographic Traveler'' is a magazine published by NG Media in Armenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Latin America, Israel, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. The US ...
'' magazine voted Pembrokeshire the second best coastal destination in the world for
sustainable tourism.
In January 2016 the Authority launched the "Changing Coasts" project to document the way the coastline has changed as a result of recent winter storms; the project invites visitors to submit photographs taken (at any time of day) from fixed points; a pilot study will be carried out at .
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a designated
National Trail
National Trails are long distance footpaths and bridleways in England and Wales. They are administered by Natural England, a statutory agency of the UK government, and Natural Resources Wales (successor body to the Countryside Council for Wal ...
. It was established in 1970, and is long, much of it at cliff-top level, with a total of of ascent and descent.
The southern end of the path is at
Amroth. The northern end was regarded as being at
Poppit Sands, near
St. Dogmaels, where the official plaque was sited;
however, the path now continues to St. Dogmaels,
where a new marker was unveiled in July 2009, and links with the
Ceredigion Coast Path
The Ceredigion Coast Path ( cy, Llwybr Arfordir Ceredigion) is a waymarked long distance footpath in the United Kingdom, on the coast of Ceredigion, Wales. It is in length, running along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Cardigan t ...
to continue northwards as part of the
Wales Coast Path
The Wales Coast Path ( cy, Llwybr Arfordir Cymru) is a designated long-distance trail which follows, or runs close to, the coastline of Wales.
Launched in 2012, the footpath is long and was heralded as the first dedicated coast path in the wor ...
, the long-distance walking route around the whole coast of Wales from
Chepstow
Chepstow ( cy, Cas-gwent) is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the tidal River Wye, about above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the wester ...
to
Queensferry, which was officially opened in 2012.
Administration
The Park is managed by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which has around 150 staff and a committee of 18 members. The Authority's purposes are to conserve and enhance the National Park, and encourage the public to enjoy and understand it. In pursuing these purposes, the authority has a duty to foster the social and economic well-being of the communities within its boundaries. Its offices are in
Pembroke Dock. The Chief Executive is Tegryn Jones.
The Authority also manages the entire length of the
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path ( cy, Llwybr Arfordir Sir Benfro), often called the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, is a designated National Trail in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales. Established in 1970, it is a long-distance walking route, mostly a ...
, a national trail which lies almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Beaches
Over the years Pembrokeshire's beaches, all of which lie in the National Park, have been awarded many International
Blue Flag Awards (10 in 2014), 47
Green Coast Awards (15 in 2011) and 106
Seaside Awards (31 in 2011).
[''Pembrokeshire (Annual Guide)'', Pembrokeshire Tourism, 2011] In 2011 it also had 39 beaches recommended by the
Marine Conservation Society
The Marine Conservation Society is a UK based not-for-profit organization working with businesses, governments and communities to clean and protect the oceans. Founded in 1983, the group claims to be working towards "cleaner, better-protected, h ...
.
Beaches in the park include:
*
*
Amroth
*
Barafundle Bay
*
Broad Haven
Broad Haven ( cy, Aberllydan) is a village and seaside resort in the south east corner of St Bride's Bay at the western terminus of the B4341 road in south Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Broad Haven and Little Haven together form the Havens community an ...
*
Broad Haven South
*
Freshwater East
*
Freshwater West
Freshwater West (also known as ''Fresh West'') is a beach near Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire in West Wales. It lies along the B4319 road and is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Freshwater West, noted for its strong waves and curren ...
*
Manorbier
Manorbier (; cy, Maenorbŷr ) is a village, community and parish on the south coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales. The name means the ' Manor of Pŷr'. The community includes Jeffreyston and Lydstep.
An electoral ward with the same name exists. ...
*
Marloes
*
Newgale
*
Newport
*
Poppit Sands
*
Sandy Haven
*
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot ( cy, Llanusyllt; Old Welsh: ''Llanussyllt'') is a large village and community (and former electoral ward) in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is near Tenby, both being holiday destinations. Saundersfoot lies in the Pembrokeshire Coast Natio ...
*
Tenby
Tenby ( cy, Dinbych-y-pysgod, lit=fortlet of the fish) is both a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the western side of Carmarthen Bay, and a local government community.
Notable features include of sandy beaches and the Pembroke ...
*
Whitesands Bay
Whitesands Bay ( cy, Porth Mawr) is a Blue Flag beach situated on the St David's peninsula in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales. Whitesand Bay, on some maps, located west of St. Davids and south of St Davids Head, has been described ...
See also
*
UK coastline
*
Castlemartin Training Area
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
National parks in Wales
Geography of Pembrokeshire
Coast of Pembrokeshire
Protected areas established in 1952
Tourist attractions in Pembrokeshire
Nature reserves in Pembrokeshire