Activities
Below is a list of our favourite activities and locations within striking distance of Penwaun. Please let us know if there are any other useful locations or links that could usefully be added.
Walking and Exploring
The best way to explore the local area is by foot; there some stunning views, magical walks and quirky places to see all within walking distance of Penwaun. Some of the historic sites are described on ‘the local area’ page of the Penwaun website. From ancient burial grounds and hillforts to castles, it is clear that much of the history of Pembrokeshire lies well preserved and untouched. A few of the best places to walk are...
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Path - 300km of well maintained paths are great way to see the jagged Pembrokeshire coastline. It stops in at quiet coves and rises high up on the cliffs for panoramic views of Newport bay. A tour of Dinas Head, from Cwm Yr Eglyws to Pwll Gwylod, is highly recommended.
The River Nevern also provides some great walks along the mossy and overgrown banks all the way from the lower section, right up into the hills near its source.
The Gwaun Valley - the enchanting woods are a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna through the seasons and a some good sheltered routes particularly if it blustery on the coast.
The Preseli Mountains - the high ridges stretch for miles and are a good challenge for any enthusiastic walker with steep climbs rewarded by commanding views. Carn Ingli, the mountain which rises out of Newport , is a 25 minute walk to the top with a fantastic view of the surrounding area.
Beaches
The North Pembrokeshire coastline is dotted with small secluded pebbly coves and wide open sandy beaches. Newport sands, one of the largest in the area, is approximately 5 minutes drive from Penwaun, great for barbecues, beach games and watersports. Other similar beaches are Whitesands, Poppit sands and Broad Haven, all within driving distance of Penwaun. Some of the other more secluded beaches are best accessed by foot along the coast path.
Eating and Drinking
The area has a selection of excellent pubs. Good pub food and some great ales that need to be sampled, a couple of our favourite pubs are listed below
The Trewern Arms, Nevern – Penwaun’s local pub. Worth a visit if you’re there for a week. Simple pub food and has a pool table & juke box.
Bluestone Brewery, this is about a 5 minute drive from the house and hosts some great tasting sessions and events, you can even stock up with some bottles to take home with you. bluestonebrewing.co.uk
The Golden Lion, Newport – A lively pub that tends to draw the crowds during the holidays and summer months.
Newport Boat Club, Parrog – The hub of all the local ‘on the water’ activities and a beautiful setting right on the water’s edge. Best place to watch the sunset! Membership requires to buy a drink there.
The Sloop, Porthgain – A good trip with excellent pub seafood in an historic and seemingly unchanged fishing port.
There are also plenty of local cafes and if you're looking for a smarter place to eat then the Llys Meddyg in Newport is excellent.
Watersports
The Pembrokeshire coastline provides some of the most varied conditions for sailing, surfing and all other watersports. There are plenty of little coves and open beaches for keen swimmers and most of the big beaches are manned by surf rescue teams in the summer months. The best surfing beach is Whitesands, near St. Davids, which benefits from decent atlantic swell and is great for both surfing and bodyboarding. Newport Boat Club thrives during peak summer with lots of sailing activity, races & family entertainment. It's a good place to launch from with a sheltered estuary at high tide. Newport Sands frequently has great conditions for both Kitesurfing and Windsurfing.
Other Sports
Golf – Newport has it’s own 18 hole links course overlooking the bay – a good challenging course. There are several others nearby, including Cardigan and St. Davids.
Fishing – Penwaun sits on the bank of the River Nevern which has some fantastic fishing spots. Salmon, sewin (sea trout) & brown trout can be caught. The season runs from 1 April - September. Penwaun has permits for 2 rods. National Rivers Authority licences must be held. Sea fishing is is a key part of the local trade and great for mackerel.
Riding – Carolyn Morgan runs the Crosswell Stables near to Nevern - 01239 891262. She offers licensed trekking and tuition for riders of all ages and experience.
Tennis – There is a court in the centre of Newport which can be booked through the newsagent. You'll need to have your own rackets and balls.
Cycling – All kinds of cycling in the area including undulating roads and challenging steep tracks along the coast path and Preselis. Mountain bikes can be hired from the Carningli Center in Newport which is on your left as you enter Newport. carninglibikehire.com
Crazy Golf & Bowling - Llwyngwair Manor, a five minute drive away, offers an entertaining 18 hole crazy golf course and two short 10-pin bowling alleys.
Other Interests
Birdwatching – Look out for the pair of Buzzards frequently seen circling over the trees above Penwaun and the wealth of wildlife that you can find in the land surrounding Penwaun. Further afield, there are some great spots for keener birdwatchers - particularly along the Nevern estuary. Skomer Island also offers fantastic opportunities - you need to be down to St Martins Haven by 8.00am to be sure of a place on the ferry and well worth ringing the night before to make sure the boats are going to run....they often don't go if the wind is in the north.
Arts and Crafts – There are often exhibitions put on by local artists and painters which you will be able to find advertised on posters and in the shops in Newport and there are frequent craft days at the Newport Town Hall.
Painting – If you're interested in turning your own hand to the canvas, then you could not ask for a more beautiful and contrasting subject as the Pembrokeshire Coast.
For the more adventurous
Thousand Islands runs boat trips around Ramsey Island in large, jet propelled RIBs. They will take you on a scenic tour and show you round the local wildlife, as well as taking you through the rapids caused by the massive tidal currents at exhilarating speeds.
Oakwood is a large theme park in the south of Pembrokeshire. It takes just under an hour to get to but is well worth the trip. A variety of excellent rides, including Megaphobia and The Bounce. Only for the brave!
Paintballing and Quadbiking is provided by a couple of nearby centres and offers some good outdoor courses.