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Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Llyn Peninsula
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Carl Rogers This handy little guide book gives you the ten very best short circular walks along the Llŷn peninsula section of the Wales Coast Path The Llŷn pushes 30 miles into the Irish Sea, tipped by the holy isle of Bardsey, or Ynys Enlli — ‘the island of 20,000 saints’. This remote and unspoilt landscape is characterised by traditional farms and compact villages, punctuated by volcanic hills. Its relative isolation has made it a haven for the Welsh language and culture. Sea cliffs, offshore rocks and intimate coves dominate the northern coast, while the gentler southern coast promises sandy beaches and holiday towns like Abersoch and Pwllheli. But for sheer beauty, tranquillity and wildlife, the Llŷn is hard to beat. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Cardigan Bay North
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Sioned Bannister This lovely little book contains the ten best short circular walks along the Snowdonia Coast, which lies at the northern end of Cardigan Bay, and is part of the Wales Coast Path Cardigan Bay embraces the dramatic sweep of the Welsh coastline, from Bardsey island on the tip of Lleyn, in the north, to Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire, in the south. It takes in parts of two National Parks: Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire, and three different counties, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The striking northern section between Porthmadog and Borth is as varied as it is beautiful. Characterised by vast beaches and rugged cliffs, the coast offers superb walking with ever-changing views and a wealth of wildlife. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Ceredigion Coast Path
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Sioned Bannister This handy pocket size book will take you on ten of the best short circular walks along the Ceredigion coast. Cardigan Bay embraces the dramatic sweep of the Welsh coastline, from Bardsey Island on the tip of the Llŷn in the north, to Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire in the south. It takes in parts of two National Parks: Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire, and three different counties: Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The southern half of Cardigan Bay covers the rugged coastline between Aberystwyth and Cardigan. The dramatic cliffs and hidden coves are part of the Ceredigion Coast Path: a 60 mile trail that promises stunning views and some of the best opportunities for walkers to spot maritime wildlife in Wales. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Pembrokeshire North
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Dennis Kelsall This photogenic book will take you on ten short circular walks along the northern part of the Pembrokeshire section of the Wales Coast Path. Pembrokeshire’s north coast has a rugged and remote quality, reflecting the wildness of the hills that rise behind. It was largely ignored during the Norman colonisation and even today beyond St Dogmael’s there are only a handful of coastal communities. Yet burial cairns, promontory forts and a pre-historic trackway across the Preseli Hills indicate widespread prehistoric settlement, and it was an important focus during the spread of Celtic Christianity. Fishing, farming and stock grazing were traditional ways of life, but the Industrial Revolution briefly opened coastal quarrying and the railway made Fishguard an important Irish port. Today, it is a relative backwater but the coast has an untamed beauty, its flowers, birds, seals and porpoises making it a truly special place. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Pembrokeshire South
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Dennis Kelsall This lovely little book explores the ten best short circular walks along the southern part of the Pembrokeshire coast — itself part of the Wales Coast Path. The Pembrokeshire coast alters subtly from north to south. The southern rocks are far younger and the coast tends to be south-facing, too, creating a gentler hinterland. This influenced historical development and culture, for although the Norman advance extended throughout Pembrokeshire, settlement focused on the more fertile southern corner. It became known as ‘Little England’, with English rather than Welsh spoken, a tradition reflected in place names. Before reliable roads, trade and prosperity favoured the coast, and because the railways came late here, Pembrokeshire was largely ignored by the Industrial Revolution. Unspoiled and breathtakingly scenic, the coast is captivating every step of the way. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: Carmarthen Bay & Gower
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Harri Garrod Roberts This handy, pocket size book will take you on the ten best short circular walks along the Carmarthen Bay and Gower stretch of the Wales Coast Path. Carmarthen Bay embraces an area of Welsh coast stretching from south Pembrokeshire to the Gower Peninsula. Long, sandy beaches and wide, silty estuaries dominate much of the bay, though there are also high cliffs and rocky coves in places. The Gower Peninsula, at the eastern end of the bay, is a small but priceless gem. Britain’s first official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the peninsula contains an astonishing variety of landscapes: dunes, marshland, high cliffs, windswept downs, wooded valleys, picturesque villages and glorious sandy beaches — all linked by a superb footpath network. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast Path: South Wales Coast
Circular walks along the Wales Coast Path
by Dennis Kelsall This handy little guide book gives you the ten very best short circular walks along the South Wales Coast section of the Wales Coast Path. The coast is one of extreme contrasts, ranging from great dune systems through sheer cliffs to miles of coastal salt marsh. Nowhere is far from a delightful stretch overlooking the sea, with fine views, nature and heritage all around. Far reaching views, a stunning diversity of landscape, and the richness of the area's ancient and industrial heritage are all explored in these ten short, circular walks. -
Top 10 Walks: National Parks: Pembrokeshire
The finest themed walks in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
by Dennis Kelsall This superbly-written and good looking book will take you on ten short circular walks to the very best stretches of coast, pubs, tea shops, and viewpoints that the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, in West Wales, has to offer. Defining the south-westernmost tip of Wales, Pembrokeshire’s coastline is arguably the most beautiful and varied in the British Isles. Virtually all of it lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Relative isolation has left it largely untouched by modern development and most of its length is a wild frontier where the endless confrontation between sea and land is played out. Long stretches of coast face the fury of Atlantic storms and weakness and faults in the high cliffs are eroded into caves, coves and inlets. However, the harder rock, some of which is 700 million years old, resists the onslaught and stands out in rugged promontories and headlands. Elsewhere, sheltered landings and harbours, fine beaches and secluded bays reveal other aspects of this glorious landscape. In spring and summer the cliff tops break out in the pink, blue, white and yellow of countless flowers and sea crags are alive with nesting birds, while some of Britain’s largest seal populations arrive in autumn to give birth. It was this wild beauty that prompted the establishment of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1952. Despite being one of the UK’s smaller National Parks, it embraces a third of the county including all the offshore islands, the Daugleddau estuary, and the Preseli Hills. The Park is also home to the popular Pembrokeshire Coast Path — now part of the larger Wales Coast Path. Discover dramatic coastlines at St Davids Head and Strumble Head, Manorbier and Tenby. Climb to lofty coastal panoramas at Carn Ingli and Carn Llidi. Enjoy characterful waterside pubs at Porthgain and Cresswell Quay. Or relax over a quiet cup of coffee or tea and cake at two of Pembrokeshire’s cosiest and most welcoming tea shops and cafés. Unmissable. -
Top 10 Walks: North Wales Coast: Pub Walks
Walks to the best pubs along the North Wales Coast
by Carl Rogers The comfortable, friendly and often upmarket pubs along the North Wales coast complement the walking on this superb stretch of the Wales Coast Path. Each walk incorporates a section of the Wales Coast Path, and starts and finishes close to a great, carefully selected pub. Combined, they cover the very best stretches of North Wales’ coastline, one of striking contrasts and wonderful surprises. The easy, circular pub walks take in the North Wales Coast between Chester and Caernarfon, the Isle of Anglesey, and the remote Llyn peninsula. All the pubs are situated either right on the coast or a short hop inland — some in coves and harbours, some in the dunes or close to clifftops, others almost on the sand — and the majority are open all day. With the pubs often open all year and the walking good in all seasons, the North Wales Coast, Anglesey and the Llyn are quite rightly a year-round destination. -
Top 10 Walks: Pembrokeshire: Pub Walks
Walks to the best pubs in Pembrokeshire
by Dennis Kelsall This attractive and good looking book will take you on ten short circular walks to some of the finest and most iconic pubs and inns in Pembrokeshire, in South Wales. Ever since rambling became a recognised pastime, country pubs have been magnets for walkers. Whether a lunchtime stop along the way or a final destination for the day, the promise of a thirst-quenching pint, bar snack or a hearty meal is for many, an integral part of the day. Many of Pembrokeshire’s coastal inns have origins in serving seafarers, while those inland lay beside routes to and from the coast or beside old droves along which livestock were herded to market. Today, all have a fine tradition of serving visitors who come for no other purpose than to enjoy the magnificent countryside. Those chosen here have long established reputations for their food or ale and have an individual quirkiness worth seeking out. -
Top 10 Walks: South Wales Coast: Pub Walks
Walks to the best pubs along the South Wales Coast
by Julia Goodfellow-Smith The comfortable, friendly and often upmarket pubs along the South Wales coast complement the walking on this superb stretch of the Wales Coast Path. Each walk incorporates a section of the Wales Coast Path, and starts and finishes close to a great, carefully selected pub. Combined, they cover the very best stretches of South Wales’ coastline, one of striking contrasts and wonderful surprises. The easy, circular pub walks take in the South Wales Coast between Tenby and Chepstow, including parts of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and the Severn Estuary - as well as Swansea and Cardiff. All the pubs are situated either right on the coast or a short hop inland — some in coves and harbours, some in the dunes or close to clifftops, others almost on the sand — and the majority are open all day. With the pubs often open all year and the walking good in all seasons, the South Wales Coast is quite rightly a year-round destination. -
Top 10 Walks: Pembrokeshire: Walks to Coastal Viewpoints
Walks to the best views from the coast in Pembrokeshire
by Dennis Kelsall This attractive and good looking book will take you on ten short circular walks to some of the finest and most iconic views and viewpoints along the rugged Pembrokeshire coast, in West Wales. For some hillwalkers, the ‘view’ is only achieved on attaining the summit. But here, the endless convolutions of the coastline create an ever changing scene, both in front and behind; with every step shifting the perspective, bringing something different into sight. While the distant view can stretch for miles, inlets, coves and bays may remain hidden, only revealing themselves at the last moment. More immediately, the cliffs are broken by crevices, ledges, caves and natural arches, while just offshore are stacks and wave-washed shoals. Behind, the hinterland is a patchwork of hill, common and agriculture, while the vista out to the sea is endlessly changed by the weather, tide and hour. And, where accessible, the prospect from the beach is different again. Memorable walks to unmissable views. -
Top 10 Walks: Pembrokeshire: Tea Shop Walks
Walks to the best tea shops and cafes in Pembrokeshire
by Dennis Kelsall Pembrokeshire’s Café Culture is booming and it’s not the big chains leading the way. Gone are the steamy fugs, greasy-spoon menus and chipped mugs; instead, there’s no shortage of bright and friendly venues serving speciality coffees and teas, home-made baking, and wonderful snacks and meals that capitalise on the best of local produce and culinary talent. Very often there’re take-away options too and sometimes interesting wines or Welsh-brewed beers and ciders. Many are open all day from breakfast and morning coffee to afternoon tea, with some venues running into the evening too with live music, poetry or storytelling. They’re great places to rest or meet up with friends, too; so go for a walk and see what you can find — you’ll not be disappointed. -
Top 10 Walks: Wales Coast: Walks to Lighthouses
Walks to spectacular Welsh lighthouses
by Alf Alderson The ten walks featured here highlight the very best Welsh lighthouses and the huge variety of the coastline of Wales. From vast expanses of sand, sea and sky, such as at Whiteford Point and Llanddwyn Island, to rugged coastline where seabirds wheel and skrike and porpoise and seals slide through the waves, like Strumble Head and South Stack, these walks to lighthouses guarantee a dramatic, focussed day out. All are circular, and vary from short and easy, like the to Talacre lighthouse, to longer and more demanding, such as that to St. Ann’s Head lighthouse — but none are beyond any reasonably fit and enthusiastic walker. These are some of the best themed walks around today.
