There are coastal walks. And then there is Pembrokeshire.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path stretches 186 miles along some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastline in the UK - clifftops, hidden coves, sea stacks, ancient castles and beaches that make you stop mid-stride and just take it all in.

Whether you are an experienced walker tackling a long stretch of the path or simply looking for a stunning afternoon walk with the sea on one side and Pembrokeshire on the other - this county delivers every single time.

And when the walking is done? Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa is waiting.

Why Pembrokeshire for Coastal Walking?

Pembrokeshire is home to the only coastal national park in Wales - and one of the most celebrated stretches of coastline in the entire UK.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path was designated a National Trail in 1970 and has been drawing walkers from all over the world ever since. It takes in everything from dramatic limestone cliffs and hidden sandy coves to ancient Iron Age forts and colonies of seabirds that nest on the clifftops in spring and summer.

What makes Pembrokeshire particularly special for walking is the variety. No two stretches of the path feel the same. One hour you are on open clifftops with the Atlantic stretching out in front of you. The next you are dropping down into a sheltered cove with crystal clear water and not another soul in sight.

Spring and early summer are arguably the best times to walk it. The wildflowers are out, the seabirds are nesting, the crowds have not yet arrived and the light on the water in the late afternoon is something genuinely special.

Stack Rocks and St Govan's Chapel

For something truly dramatic and unlike anything else in Wales, the stretch of coastline around Stack Rocks and St Govan's Chapel is unmissable.

Stack Rocks - or Elegug Stacks as they are also known - are two enormous limestone pillars rising directly out of the sea, home to thousands of nesting guillemots and razorbills in spring. The sight and sound of them from the clifftop path is extraordinary.

A short walk further along the path brings you to St Govan's Chapel - a tiny medieval chapel built directly into a cleft in the cliffs, accessible via a steep flight of stone steps that lead down to the sea. It dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most extraordinary and atmospheric places in Pembrokeshire. Standing inside it with the sound of the waves below is an experience that stays with you.

This stretch of coastline sits within the Castlemartin Range and access is subject to military firing ranges being open - always check before visiting.

Barafundle Bay and Stackpole Head

If you are looking for one walk that captures everything Pembrokeshire does best, the walk from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay and around Stackpole Head is it.

Starting from the pretty National Trust harbour at Stackpole Quay, the path takes you along the clifftops and down through National Trust woodland before opening out onto Barafundle Bay - consistently voted one of the best beaches in the UK and regularly compared to the Caribbean for the clarity of its water and the quality of its sand.

From Barafundle you can continue along the path around Stackpole Head for some of the finest clifftop views on the entire Pembrokeshire coast before looping back through the Stackpole Estate woodland and the famous Bosherston Lily Ponds.

It is a walk that has something for everyone - dramatic coastline, a world class beach, beautiful woodland and some of the most peaceful countryside in Wales. Allow around three to four hours for the full circular route.

Marloes Peninsula

For those who want to get off the beaten track, the Marloes Peninsula offers some of the most dramatic and unspoiled coastal scenery in Pembrokeshire - with significantly fewer visitors than the more well known stretches of the path.

The walk from Marloes village out to Marloes Sands and along the clifftops towards Martin's Haven takes in sea stacks, soaring cliffs and, on a clear day, views across to Skomer Island - home to one of the largest puffin colonies in the world.

In late April and May, the puffins can sometimes be seen from the clifftops at Martin's Haven as they return to the island to breed. It is one of those wildlife moments that makes you glad you made the effort to get there.

The Marloes Peninsula feels genuinely remote and wild. It is the kind of walk that reminds you exactly why people travel from all over the UK to walk the Pembrokeshire coast.

Manorbier to Swanlake Bay

The circular walk from Manorbier to Swanlake Bay is one of Pembrokeshire's best kept secrets - a brilliant half day route that takes in a medieval castle, dramatic clifftops and a completely hidden beach that most visitors to Pembrokeshire never find.

Starting from Manorbier - home to a beautifully preserved medieval castle that sits right above the beach - the path climbs onto the clifftops and heads east towards the remote and sheltered cove of Swanlake Bay. Accessible only on foot, Swanlake is the kind of beach that rewards the effort it takes to reach it.

The return route takes you inland through farmland and back into Manorbier village - a lovely contrast to the dramatic coastal stretch on the way out. Allow around two hours for the full circular walk.

Where to Stay After Your Walk - Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa

After a day on the Pembrokeshire coast path, there is nothing better than coming back to Lamphey Court.

Set in a beautifully restored Georgian mansion on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Lamphey Court is perfectly positioned as a base for coastal walking in this part of Wales. The walks above are all within easy reach - most within a 20-minute drive of the hotel.

After a long day on the path, the spa is waiting. A 14-metre infinity pool, herbal sauna, aromatic steam room and spa bath - all designed to work together as a proper recovery and relaxation experience. There is no better way to end a day of coastal walking in Pembrokeshire than an hour in the spa with aching legs and the sea breeze still in your hair.

The kitchen takes locally sourced Pembrokeshire ingredients seriously - seasonal menus that change with what's available and a dining room that makes the evening feel like a proper occasion. Dinner at Lamphey Court after a day on the coast path is one of the better ways to spend an evening in this part of the world.

And with 39 individually styled rooms, beautiful grounds and everything you need for a comfortable and unhurried stay - Lamphey Court is the perfect place to base yourself for a Pembrokeshire coastal walking trip.

Ready to Plan Your Pembrokeshire Coastal Walk?

Pembrokeshire's coastline is waiting. And so is Lamphey Court.

Whether you are planning a long weekend of walking or simply want a base for one or two of the routes above - we would love to welcome you.

📞 01646 672273 ✉️ info@lampheycourt.co.uk 🌐 lampheycourt.co.uk