Pembrokeshire Coastlines
The Pembrokeshire coastlines are renowned for their breath-taking natural beauty. Despite being a place I’ve heard so much about, I’ve never previously explored the area. Personally, from a purely adventure perspective, I prefer mountains to the coastal scene – however I still absolutely love the Great British seaside. From the towns, the salty air & sea breeze to the vast sandy beaches we’re blessed with – the seaside feels more like a holiday as opposed to an adventure!
So whilst I was in the area, kind of, I figured it’d be epic to spend a day on my bike exploring the Pembrokeshire coastlines. Thus ticking a new place off the UK bucketlist, whilst getting to spend a day riding my bike – win win!
Although I’m totally obsessed with swapping 4 wheels for 2, cycling really does make life so much easier when exploring new places. It’s just totally hassle free; no parking to worry about, no narrow lanes to contend with oncoming traffic. It gives you the freedom to get outside, go wherever you want and marvel at views you just don’t see from the car – all free of charge and done entirely at your own pace!
Not to mention the added benefit of fresh air and exercise – yep, I could wax lyrical all day above my love for cycling.
After arriving in Pembrokeshire to torrential rain the night before my planned ride, in true British style, I decided a chippy tea would be the perfect fuel for my big ride out. If you’re ever in Fishgaurd, check out a place called ‘Hooked @ 31’ – an absolutely belting fish supper! (You can take the northerner out of the north, but you can’t take the north out of the northerner!)
From Fishgaurd, my ride took me along the northern coast of the Pembrokeshire peninsula to Abereiddy. The stunning Blue Lagoon is situated in between two beautiful exposed bays; Abereiddy Beach & Traeth Llyfn. These are linked by a coastal path, which I assume to be part of the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coastal path.
I dropped due south from here, following narrow undulating lanes towards Solva, before making my way west to Newgale and beginning the main element of my ride; exploring the Pembrokeshire coastlines.
It goes without saying that coastal rides are guaranteed to be exposed to the wind – sometimes it blows in your favour, others not so much! I had a couple of twitchy moments navigating the narrow lanes, whilst ogling at magnificent sea views, where a cross wind nearly threw me!
My route then took me from Newgale, along a road which hugged the coast, down to Broad Haven. This was just epic, exactly what I hoped it would be. Miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches, poignant headlands & secluded coves dominated the landscape. The views over St. Brides Bay were continuous and totally uninterrupted for 7 blissful miles.
I’ve always got a huge smile on my face when on two wheels! Factor in the of British seaside; with the smell, the breeze & the views, I honestly couldn’t have felt more alive! These are the moments I live for.
I was lucky enough to get a clear day, in the middle of the week & outside of peak holiday season. Perhaps cycling wouldn’t be as blissful on a busier day. Nonetheless, my experience of exploring the Pembrokeshire coastlines on my bike was just delightful.
I think I’ve found another location I definitely want to explore more of. For geographical reasons, my route had to miss out a couple of places. Marloes, Tenby & the Green Bridge at Castlemartin to name a few – perhaps a bike packing trip?
