Pembrokeshire coast
The Pembrokeshire Coast is a national park consisting of plateaus overlooking sea cliffs. The islands of Grassholm, Skomer and Skoholm are excellent for bird watching, while Ramsey Island is known for its large seal population. This coastal paradise is not only home to some of the most stunning scenery in Wales, but also offers a wealth of amazing adventures.
Private coastline
The spectacular 420 km coastline includes a variety of landscapes from rocky outcrops and grassy headlands to golden beaches and hidden coves. Over 98% of Pembrokeshire Coast Park is privately owned. Most of the land is owned by the County Council and the National Trust, both of which work closely with the park authority to carry out conservation work to ensure the area is protected.
Creation and life in the park
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on the Pembrokeshire coast was named in 1952 and has since become one of the most popular in the whole of the UK, renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, quaint towns and picturesque villages. The National Park Authority, the governing body that looks after the park, was created later in 1996 to ensure the protection of the area. The park grew in popularity and now has a population of more than 22,500 residents, most of whom live in St David's or Tenby, the two most developed areas of the park. The rest of the population lives in small towns and villages along this stunning coastline.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Walk is believed to be the first national walk in Wales. Opened in 1970, the trail lies almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The usual route is from Poppit in the north to Amroth on the south coast.
As well as stunning coastal scenery, the trail includes no less than 17 Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI), two nature reserves and Wales' only marine reserve. In spring, the cliff tops offer wonderful expanses of wildflowers. The cliffs at Pwll Grananthar, near Ceibwr Bay, are particularly noteworthy for their impressive folds of sandstone and mudstone. A variety of birds nest along the cliffs of the Pembrokeshire coast, and gray seals are often seen below.
