Pembroke is a delightful town that has a history dating back to 1093. It is one of the oldest towns in Wales and Henry Tudor, who went on to become Henry VII, was born here. There is a lot to see in Pembroke itself and there are some lovely seaside towns within driving distance too, but the nearby beaches are well worth a visit. Here is a selection of the best beaches near Pembroke that deserve to be explored while you are in the area.
3 of the best beaches near Pembroke
Freshwater East
Freshwater East is only four miles from Pembroke and takes less than ten minutes to reach by car. This sandy bay is nestled along the wild and rugged coastline and is noted as one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. It is quite safe for swimming, however, there is not a lifeguard on the beach. At the south end of the beach is a stream to paddle in, should you get bored of the sea.
Freshwater East is well known for its selection of watersports, such as diving, surfing, kitesurfing and fishing. Kite flying is also a firm favourite amongst visitors because of the gentle breeze on the dunes. There are only basic facilities at the beach, such as a cafe, shop and public toilets, but the village is within walking distance should you need anything more.
Broadhaven South
Broadhaven South is around ten miles from Pembroke and is a picturesque, long sandy beach that is surrounded by dunes and nestled in a bay. It’s fine to swim here, but there is no lifeguard present and the currents can be quite strong at times, so always exercise caution. A great feature of this beach is the access routes you can take. One route via the north end of the beach goes through the dunes and is scattered with lily ponds. Access from the South end involves walking down some steep steps that are embedded into the surrounding cliffs. The views are outstanding from this route.
From the west side of the beach, you can discover and explore caves and boulders that form an island. Inside the cliffs are springs that spurt out water as you pass. There are not many amenities at the beach, but there are lots of shops, cafes and pubs in the village. Make sure to check the tide times when visiting this beach because at high tide, a lot of the beach gets cut off.
Church Doors Cove
Church Doors Cove is geologically fascinating as it has a church door shape arch in the rock, which is where its name comes from. This cove is located around eight miles from Pembroke but extreme caution must be taken when visiting. The route down to the cove involves walking along the coastal path and then descending into the cove via lots of steep concrete steps. At high tide, the sand is submerged under water, so check the tide times before visiting. There are no facilities at the cove either, so make sure you go prepared with anything you might need while you’re there.
Pembrokeshire camping is a good way to explore this interesting part of Wales as well as the best beaches near Pembroke as campsites offer you the freedom to come and go as you please. Take a look at St Davids as an option for camping and consider booking your camping holiday today while there are still places available.
