Some of Pembrokeshire’s greatest treasures aren’t marked on a map. 

Pembrokeshire is home to some of Wales’ most iconic coastal destinations, but beyond the well-known landmarks lies a landscape of hidden coves, ancient woodlands, secluded beaches and secret corners waiting to be explored.

Tucked away in the peaceful Abermawr Valley between Fishguard and St Davids, Preseli Venture offers guests the opportunity to experience both. Stay in beautifully restored, eco-conscious accommodation surrounded by nature, then venture out to discover hidden gems and unforgettable adventures across North Pembrokeshire’s spectacular coastline.

A Secret Spot to Call Home

Set within a tranquil wooded valley on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Preseli Venture’s collection of self-catering cottages offers a peaceful retreat just a 20-minute woodland walk from the wild and unspoilt sands of Abermawr Beach.

Many visitors pass through Pembrokeshire without ever discovering this remarkable corner of the county. Ancient woodland trails wind through the valley towards the coast, where hidden coves, dramatic headlands and spectacular wildlife encounters await around every corner.

Guests can choose from three unique properties. Together, they provide the perfect base for exploring one of Pembrokeshire’s best-kept secrets.

The Eco Barn

Sleeps 8

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A striking Dutch barn conversion with floor-to-ceiling glass, vaulted living spaces and a balcony with panoramic sea views. Ideal for families and small groups.

Expore

Penbwchdy Cottage

Sleeps 8

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 A beautifully restored mid 19th-century Welsh farmhouse blending traditional character with contemporary comfort. Perfect for families and small groups.

Expore

Loom Cottage

Sleeps 2

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A cosy, wheelchair-accessible retreat with stunning views across the wooded valley towards the sea. Ideal for solo-travellers, couples, or families with an infant.

Expore

Secret Spots by Sea

Some of Pembrokeshire’s most magical places can only be reached from the water.

For those keen to venture beyond the guidebooks, Preseli Venture’s sea kayaking experiences offer a unique way to discover hidden corners of the coastline. Paddle beneath towering cliffs, weave between sea stacks, explore sea caves and land on remote beaches that few people ever set foot on.

Whether joining a half-day taster session, a full-day adventure or a multi-day sea kayaking course, guests gain access to a side of Pembrokeshire rarely seen from the coast path.

The same spirit of discovery runs through many of Preseli Venture’s activities, including coasteering, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and rock climbing. Led by experienced local guides, each experience reveals secret coves, hidden gullies and remarkable viewpoints that most visitors never find.

Multi-day Sea Kayak Trips

Half and Full-day Activities

Wildlife Hotspots

Not all hotspots are crowded.

Pembrokeshire’s offshore islands and wildlife-rich coastline are internationally recognised for their incredible marine life and seabird colonies. Through a range of carefully selected boat trips, guests can explore some of the county’s most important wildlife hotspots.

Most boat trips depart from St Justinian’s, just outside St Davids, making it easy to combine a wildlife adventure with a visit to Britain’s smallest city.

St Davids may be one of Pembrokeshire’s original hotspots. Pilgrims have been making the journey here for centuries, attracted by the city’s rich history, magnificent cathedral and stunning coastal setting. Today, visitors can explore the cathedral, browse independent shops and galleries, enjoy lunch overlooking the harbour at Porthclais, before heading out to sea in search of wildlife.

Depending on the season, sightings may include puffins, seals, porpoises, dolphins, gannets and a variety of other seabirds, all set against the backdrop of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic island landscapes and rugged cliffs.

It’s one of the most memorable ways to experience the county’s wild side and connect with the rich natural heritage that makes this coastline so special.

© Crown Copyright, Visit Wales Assets: Puffins, 2024; Ramsey Island Boat Trips, 2019; St Davids Cathedral, 2019.

Hotspots Worth the Hype

While Preseli Venture loves helping guests uncover hidden gems, some hotspots deserve their reputation.

Newgale is one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known surfing beaches, and for good reason. Its expansive 2-mile stretch of sand offers consistent waves and plenty of space, making it ideal for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Even during the height of summer, there’s always room to find your own patch of beach and catch your next wave.

And for those seeking a more literal HOT-spot, a beach sauna experience provides one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the coastline. Moving between stunning locations around the Pembrokeshire coast, this Scandinavian wood-fired sauna offers a unique opportunity to slow down and reconnect. Alternate between an invigorating sea dip and the enveloping warmth of the sauna, enjoying the benefits of cold-water immersion with comfort just moments away. Bringing an ancient Nordic tradition to the Celtic coast of Wales, it’s a wonderfully restorative experience that connects people to the landscape, the elements and each other.

Surfing Experiences

Sauna Sessions

Local Knowledge Makes the Difference

For nearly 40 years, the team at Preseli Venture has been helping visitors discover the very best of North Pembrokeshire.

From recommending hidden picnic spots and secret swimming locations to knowing the best tides for sea kayaking, wildlife-watching opportunities and lesser-known stretches of coast path, their local knowledge helps guests experience Pembrokeshire beyond the obvious.

Whether you’re searching for secret spots, exploring wildlife hotspots or enjoying a few well-loved coastal classics, Preseli Venture offers a different way to discover Pembrokeshire — one adventure at a time.

More to Explore…

Sustainable Accommodation in Pembrokeshire

When you stay at the Eco Barn, you’re not just booking a place to sleep; you’re choosing a way to experience Pembrokeshire that treads lightly on the land around you.

At Preseli Venture, sustainability isn’t an add-on. It’s the starting point. The Eco Barn was designed to prove that comfortable, high-quality eco accommodation in Pembrokeshire can exist in harmony with nature, right here in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

A genuinely low-carbon stay

We don’t just say we’re eco, we measure it.

Using the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol, we calculate the Eco Barn’s carbon footprint every year. In 2025, the results showed:

• 2.0 tonnes CO₂e (location-based)
• 1.1 tonnes CO₂e (market-based)

That second number is the most meaningful, and it’s impressively low for UK holiday accommodation.

Powered by renewable energy

The Eco Barn runs on clean, low-carbon energy systems designed to minimise impact without compromising comfort:

• Solar panels generating electricity on site
• An air source heat pump providing efficient, fossil-fuel-free heating
• A renewable electricity tariff supplying green energy

The result?
Zero direct fossil fuel emissions on site.

So when you turn on the heating, take a hot shower, or charge your phone, you’re doing it with minimal environmental impact.

This makes your stay at the Eco Barn a climate-conscious choice from arrival to departure.

Understanding our carbon footprint

You might notice we report two carbon figures — here’s why it matters:

• Location-based emissions reflect the average UK electricity grid
• Market-based emissions reflect the actual renewable electricity we purchase

Because the Eco Barn uses a green energy tariff, the market-based figure (1.1 tonnes CO₂e) is the most accurate reflection of your stay.

Encouraging low-impact holidays in Pembrokeshire

Travel often makes up the biggest part of a holiday’s carbon footprint. That’s why we encourage guests to:

• Arrive by public transport where possible
• Choose low-carbon travel options
• Explore the landscape slowly — on foot, by bike, or with local guides
• Support local businesses and outdoor experiences

We also offer an easy way to book nearby adventures and activities, helping you connect more deeply with the area while supporting the local community.

Our journey to Net Zero

The Eco Barn is part of a bigger mission.

Preseli Venture is committed to reaching Net Zero well before the UK’s 2050 target, and we track and share our progress through annual carbon reporting.

We’re also proud to have signed the Welsh Government’s Green Growth Pledge — a commitment to renewable energy, efficient systems, and responsible tourism.

Stay lightly, experience deeply

For us, sustainability isn’t about compromise — it’s about connection.

It’s about waking up somewhere powered by clean energy, surrounded by protected landscapes, and knowing your stay supports their future.

And it’s about being part of a way of travelling that gives back as much as it takes.

More to Explore…

Pack your Telescopes

We’re lucky to be located in an officially recognised Dark Skies region, ranked among the very lowest levels of light pollution as measured by the Earth Observation Group and NOAA National Geophysical Data Centre.

From our rural outpost on the North Pembrokeshire coast, this means spectacularly clear, bright views of the night sky. In Visit Pembrokeshire’s Dark Skies stargazing guide, Garn Fawr is highlighted as one of the best stargazing spots in the county. This Iron Age hillfort — just a few miles north of Preseli Venture — also forms part of the striking landscape views from the upper floors of the Eco Barn and Penbwchdy Cottage.

 © Crown Copyright, 2025, Visit Wales Assets: Stargazing and Northern Lights

Gathered around a crackling bonfire with a local brew, with old friends and new, why not journey into the depths of the cosmos? You’ll struggle to find many places in the UK where the stars shine quite so vividly. Learn constellations, spot satellites and zoom in on planets using the Night Sky app, or set up your long-exposure camera to get some stellar shots.

And for a celestial light show that needs no telescope at all, this is also a wonderful place to watch for the dancing pinks and greens of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, when conditions are right. Be ready with apps like Aurora Watch UK.

When to Visit?

For the brightest starscapes, plan your stay around the crescent moon, with March to September being the best months for Milky Way visibility. Below are some of the best dates in 2026, coinciding with the moon’s least bright phases:

• January 18
• February 17
• March 19
• April 17
• May 16
• June 15
• July 14
• August 12
• September 11
• October 10
• November 9
• December 9

For those looking to dive deeper into Pembrokeshire’s astronomy scene, we recommend getting in touch with the Preseli Astronomy Group.

Stay at Preseli Venture

Whether you prefer cosy comfort or a closer connection to nature, there are plenty of ways to experience Pembrokeshire’s dark skies with us. Stargazing at the Eco Barn and Courtyard Cottages is truly dazzling, making them top destinations for astronomy enthusiasts. Camping at neighbouring Preseli Glamping offers an equally magical experience — stay in the geodesic dome for a window onto the stars right above your bed.

Find out more about accommodation at Preseli Venture and choose your perfect sky-watching base. If you’d like help planning your stay, feel free to get in touch — we’re always happy to help.

More to Explore…

One of the joys of staying at Preseli Venture is just how many great pubs are within easy reach — whether you fancy a rewarding pint after a coast path walk, a hearty family meal, or a fireside Sunday roast with the dog at your feet.

From walkable village locals to iconic coastal inns worth the drive, these are our favourite pubs across north Pembrokeshire and beyond for a refreshing local brew or a hearty meal.

Walkable & Nearby Pub Favourites

The Farmers Arms, Mathry

Dogs welcome inside
Approx. 1-mile walk from Preseli Venture

A proper hilltop village pub and a firm favourite with our guests. The Farmers Arms serves generous, hearty pub food in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. It’s an easy uphill stroll from Preseli Venture — perfect for earning your pint — and a lovely spot for a casual supper or Sunday lunch.

The Ship Inn, Trefin

Dogs welcome inside
10–15 minute drive

A charming village pub with a warm welcome, good local beers and satisfying pub classics. There’s a lovely beer garden with countryside views, making it a great stop after a coastal walk or a day exploring nearby coves.

The Sloop Inn, Porthgain

Dogs welcome outside
2.5-hour coast path walk from Abermawr / 20 min drive

A Pembrokeshire institution. The Sloop is full of character, with harbour views and solid pub food. It makes a brilliant destination pub if you’re walking the coast path from Abermawr — few things beat arriving here after a long sea-air-filled hike.

The Cambrian Inn, Solva

Dogs allowed inside at lunchtime; evenings on the terrace only
20-minute drive

A step up into refined pub dining, with excellent food served in a beautiful harbour village setting. Ideal for a long lunch after exploring Solva, or a more polished pub supper if you’re happy to leave the dog outside in the evening.

Royal Oak, Fishguard

Dogs welcome inside
15-minute drive

A historic pub right on Fishguard’s lively market square. Expect a friendly atmosphere, good food and a sunny beer garden when the weather allows. A dependable choice year-round.

The Bishop’s & The Farmer’s Arms, St Davids

Dogs welcome inside
20-minute drive

These sister pubs sit at the heart of St David’s community life, both with sunny beer gardens facing the cathedral. Maritime in feel, welcoming and lively, they’re perfect after a day exploring the city or nearby coastal walks.

Further Afield (But Well Worth the Journey)

Sailor’s Safety, Pwll Gwaelod

Dogs welcome outside
25-minute drive

A snug, atmospheric pub tucked into a smuggler’s cove — one of Pembrokeshire’s most magical spots. A brilliant reward stop on a coast path walk, or a destination in its own right on a calm evening.

The Old Point House, East Angle Bay

Dogs welcome inside
50-minute drive

An iconic 16th-century coastal inn with excellent seafood and a wonderful sense of place. Outside, you’ll often find Café Môr, the famous foraged-seafood “boat-turned-kitchen” — reason enough to make the trip.

The Dyffryn Arms (Bessie’s), Gwaun Valley

Dogs welcome inside
30-minute drive

A true Pembrokeshire classic. Known affectionately as Bessie’s, this wonderfully old-school pub serves beer straight from jugs through a hatch. No food, no frills, all atmosphere. Head here on the 13th January to find the village celebrating “old new year’s eve” (Hen Galan in Welsh).

 © Crown Copyright, 2024, Visit Wales Assets: The Dyffryn Arms

The Swan Inn, Little Haven

Dogs welcome inside
40-minute drive

A historic seafront pub with a roaring open fire, serving sailors and fishermen since the 18th century. Especially lovely on a blustery day.

Cresselly Arms, Cresswell Quay

Dogs welcome outside
45-minute drive

Set right on the tidal estuary, this iconic pub is a favourite for local ales, riverside views and birdwatching. Time it with the tide for maximum magic.

The Griffin Inn, Dale

Dogs welcome inside
45-minute drive

An award-winning pub and restaurant right on the seafront, serving seafood landed from their own boat. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace on a clear day.

The Stackpole Inn, Stackpole

Dogs welcome inside
50-minute drive

A popular gastro-pub in a converted post office, perfectly placed for exploring the Lily Ponds and Broadhaven South. Excellent food and a lively atmosphere.

The Golden Lion, Newport

Dogs welcome inside
30-minute drive

A cosy, award-winning 17th-century coaching inn in the heart of Newport. A brilliant place to finish a Preseli Hills or coast path walk with excellent food and a welcoming fire.

More to Explore…

Pembrokeshire has a quietly brilliant food scene, with chefs making the most of local seafood, grass-fed meat, foraged ingredients and a strong sense of place. From relaxed coastal dining to special-occasion feasts, here are some of our favourite restaurants to try during your stay.

St David’s

20-minute drive from Preseli Venture. Park at Oriel Y Parc or Quickwell Hill carpark.

Grain

A laid-back favourite for stone-baked pizzas and local craft beers. Seating is in atmospheric wooden cabins and canvas pods, making it a great option year-round.
Dogs are welcome in the covered outdoor booths.

Really Wild Emporium

A wonderfully inventive, colourful restaurant celebrating local, seasonal and foraged food. Creative, nourishing dishes with real flair, plus a beautifully curated gift shop upstairs.
Dogs allowed inside during daytime service (not evenings).

No. 16

Relaxed yet stylish dining with a strong focus on local meat and fish. The drinks list features gin from their own distillery, adding a distinctly Welsh touch.

Blas at Twr y Felin

Blas (meaning “taste”) offers luxurious fine dining and artfully presented high tea in an elegant hotel set within a converted working windmill. Ideal for a special occasion or celebratory meal.

© Crown Copyright, 2024, Visit Wales Assets: Twr Y Felin

Fishguard & North Coast

15-minute drive from Preseli Venture. Park at Parc Y Shwt carpark or West Street carpark.

Peppers Hub – Fishguard

Part art gallery, part live music venue, part restaurant and bar. Expect a creative atmosphere, delicious food and a strong community feel

Dogs are welcome inside.

FFWRN – Fishguard

A vibrant, welcoming space championing quality local ingredients. Look out for live music nights, wood-fired pizza evenings and themed Italian, Middle Eastern tapas, and burger nights.

The Shed – Porthgain

A cosy harbourside seafood restaurant serving fish straight off the boat. Famous for what many consider the best fish and chips in Pembrokeshire, alongside excellent dine-in seafood dishes.

 © Crown Copyright, 2019, Visit Wales Assets: The Shed, Porthgain

Further Afield… but Well Worth the Journey

The Country Hotel – Wolfscastle

A versatile choice with a relaxed brasserie for daytime dining and refined fine dining at Allt Yr Afon in the evening.

Dogs are welcome outside.

Llys Meddyg – Newport

Stylish seasonal menus served in a characterful Georgian townhouse. A real celebration of Welsh produce with a sense of theatre and warmth.

Dogs are welcome inside.

Blackpool Mill – near Narberth

Fine dining in a lovingly restored Georgian mill tucked into Minwear Woods, on the banks of the Cleddau Estuary. A peaceful and memorable setting, retaining some of its functional architectural features.

Dogs are welcome inside.

 © Crown Copyright, 2024, Visit Wales Assets: Blackpool Mill

Paternoster Farm – near Pembroke

A rustic field-to-fork farmstead restaurant offering a colourful, imaginative seasonal set menu. Honest, joyful cooking rooted in the land, fostering a strong sense of community.

Lan y Môr – Coppet Hall

If you venture to the South Pembrokeshire Coast, this is a truly spectacular spot. Fine dining and an upbeat atmosphere in a hidden cove overlooking the sea — perfect for a long, lingering lunch or sunset supper. Every dish is a winner.

Dogs are welcome outside.

Dulse – Milford Marina

Beautifully presented dishes using the best local produce from coast and countryside, set right on the water at the marina. Perfect for a vibrant cocktail dinner date or a relaxed afternoon tea.

Dogs are welcome inside.

Annwn – Lawrenny

A unique, immersive experience blurring the lines between fine art and fine dining. Join a communal feast table celebrating locally foraged food in a magical setting.

More to Explore…

Morning: cold air, hot steam

A winter’s day often begins with ritual. Crisp air, pale light filtering down the Abermawr Valley, and the unmistakable pull of heat and cold. The Scandinavian-style beach sauna offers a perfect contrast to the season — step from wood-fired warmth into the bracing sea for a cold dip that leaves you buzzing, clear-headed and gloriously alive. It’s the kind of reset that makes winter feel like a tonic rather than a test.

Daylight: wide skies and empty places

With the summer crowds gone, the coast becomes expansive again. Deserted beaches stretch beneath dramatic skies, perfect for long, unhurried walks straight from your door — dogs welcome all winter long, with no beach bans to worry about. Woodland paths glow with frost, and on rare, magical days, the Preseli Hills, dusted with snow, rise quietly in the distance. With heavier snow, the Preseli hills become a magnet for snow sports enthusiasts and sledging families alike.

 © Crown Copyright, 2025, Visit Wales Assets: Snowy landscapes in the Preseli Mountains of Pembrokeshire.

For walkers, storm-watching becomes its own kind of theatre: white horses on the horizon, wind in your face, and that unmistakable feeling of being wonderfully small in a big landscape. For surfers, winter brings clean Atlantic swells and quieter line-ups — cold waters, warm hearts, and some of the best wave quality of the year. Our professional surf guides will get you kitted up in toasty winter wetsuits, boots, gloves and hoods and take you to the best local spot to make the most of the day’s conditions.

Afternoon: nourishment

Local cafés welcome rosy-cheeked walkers and salty-haired surfers with steaming mugs and warming bowls of cawl, while nearby pubs such as The Farmers Arms in Mathry offer roaring fires, hearty Sunday roasts and that easy winter conviviality that draws everyone out of hibernation.

 © Crown Copyright, 2025, Visit Wales Assets: Cawl.

Dusk: gathering together

As the light fades early, winter does what it does best — it draws people together. The Eco Barn, with its generous long table and double oven, comes into its own for big family Christmases and midwinter get-togethers. Elsewhere across our cottages, wood-burning stoves crackle into life, boots dry by the door, and evenings slow down.

Board games are unearthed. Books finally get read. Conversations stretch long into the night. Outside, the stars return in full force.

Night: music, firelight, rest

Winter in North Pembrokeshire has a quietly thriving cultural pulse. Intimate local music nights, small gatherings and seasonal events bring warmth and life to dark evenings, offering just enough buzz without ever feeling busy.

Read more about stargazing at Preseli Venture.

© Crown Copyright, 2021, Visit Pembrokeshire Assets: Skrinkle Haven Night Sky

What makes winter special in Pembrokeshire?

There’s something profoundly renewing about meeting the season on its own terms. The wind sharpens the senses. The cold clears the head. The warmth feels earned. Winter here isn’t an off-season — it’s a different way of being: slower, richer, more elemental.

If you’re craving space, vitality and connection — to landscape, to loved ones, and to yourself — winter might just be the most beautiful time to come.

More To Explore

1. COASTEERING

BOOK

This unique, adrenaline-fuelled activity has to take the number one spot on your family bucket list. A wild concoction of swimming, climbing, scrambling, bouldering and ledge-leaping, coasteering is perfect for kids aged 8+ — and it makes mum and dad feel like kids again too! It’s the ultimate way to experience Pembrokeshire’s rugged coastline up close.

2. CASTLES

PLAN YOUR VISIT

After diving into the sea, dive into Welsh medieval history! You can’t visit Pembrokeshire without having a pretend sword fight in a castle courtyard. Pembroke Castle is a family favourite — with its towering stone walls, impressive moat, secret tunnels, and plenty of interactive displays to spark young imaginations.

3. SURFING

BOOK

Get ready for giggles and wipeouts in equal measure. Learning to surf on Pembrokeshire’s beach breaks is the perfect mix of challenge and play. Whether you’re standing up for the first time or belly-laughing your way through a spectacular fall, our expert guides are there to keep things safe, light-hearted, and endlessly fun.

4. DR BEYNON’S BUG FARM

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Just outside St Davids, The Bug Farm offers a fascinating, hands-on encounter with the world’s tiniest creatures. From beetles and stick insects to tropical bugs, it’s a guaranteed hit for curious kids. Be brave and eat at the Grub Kitchen (don’t worry — there are non-bug options too!). Book an “Up Close Session” for a real wow-factor experience.

5. SEA KAYAKING

BOOK

Hop into a sit-on-top kayak and explore Pembrokeshire’s wild coastline from the water. Glide into sea caves, paddle beneath dramatic cliffs, and meet curious seals and seabirds along the way. A perfect adventure for families who love a mix of calm exploration and ocean excitement.

6. ROCK CLIMBING

BOOK

For families that like a challenge, climbing is a thrilling way to test your nerve and coordination. Pembrokeshire’s sea cliffs and crags offer routes for all levels — from gentle beginner climbs to exhilarating vertical adventures, all under the guidance of experienced instructors.

7. OFFSHORE ISLANDS BOAT TRIP

BOOK

Take a thrilling RIB ride around Ramsey Island to see Pembrokeshire’s wildest side — dramatic cliffs, hidden caves, playful seals, porpoises, and a kaleidoscope of seabirds. Hold on tight and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins!

8. e-MOUNTAIN BIKING

BOOK

Cover more ground (and conquer a few hills!) with ease on an e-mountain bike. With scenic trails winding through coastal paths, forest tracks and open moorland, it’s an adventurous and eco-friendly way to explore Pembrokeshire’s wilder corners as a family.

9. COASTAL EXPLORER DAYS

BOOK

This is the ultimate off-the-beaten-track experience for families. Coastal Explorer Days combine coasteering, kayaking, coastal foraging and a touch of wild fishing — giving you a taste of everything that makes Pembrokeshire so special. It’s the perfect way to connect with nature, the sea, and each other.

10. PONY TREKKING

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Saddle up at Crosswell Stables for a magical ride through the Preseli Hills. Trek through ancient Ty Canol woods and past the mystical standing stones of Pentre Ifan — a journey that feels straight out of Welsh legend.

Ready to start your adventure?

From castle courtyards to sea caves, surfboards to saddles, Pembrokeshire is the ultimate destination for family fun. Base yourselves in the heart of the coast and let the adventures unfold — whatever your family’s pace or passion, there’s something unforgettable waiting around every corner.

Stay with us

Follow the old winding track down through the Abermawr valley, a National Trust woodland alive with birdsong. In spring, you’ll be walking through a sea of bluebells and wild garlic; in summer, look out for butterflies dancing above marsh marigold and stitchwort.

Emerging from the woods, you’ll arrive at the sweeping shingle and sand of Abermawr beach. Wild, windswept and wonderfully quiet, it’s a favourite with swimmers, surfers, and dogs who love to run free.

From Abermawr, pick up the Pembrokeshire Coast Path heading south. This short section of clifftop trail delivers dramatic sea views as you curve around the headland to reach Aberbach—Abermawr’s smaller sibling. Sheltered and peaceful, it’s a perfect picnic or pause point.

Instead of continuing along the coast path, turn inland through the Aberbach valley and follow the quiet back lanes towards Melin Tregwynt—a working woollen mill with a picturesque brookside café and a shop full of blankets, cushions, and iconic clothing made from their own daringly bold weaves. It’s an ideal place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea before the final stretch home.

Loop back through wooded footpaths and country tracks, returning to Preseli Venture with salty hair, sandy toes and a happy heart.

It’s a walk that perfectly blends coast, valley and woodland—and one that many of our guests return to again and again.

The Perfect Base for Walking Holidays

Preseli Venture is tucked into the hillside above Abermawr, with direct access to both the coast path and the quiet backroads inland. Choose from our range of soulful Courtyard Cottages or the sleek and spacious Eco Barn, perfect for small groups and families. Both are self-catering and surrounded by nature, with views across the wooded valley and North Pembrokeshire coastline.

Car-Free, Care-Free Walking Holidays

Don’t want to worry about logistics? Our self-guided eco walking holiday is the perfect way to explore the Pembrokeshire Coast Path without a car. We’ve taken care of all the details—routes, maps, taxis, and cosy accommodation—so you can simply lace up your boots and set out on foot each day. Walk at your own pace, breathe deeply, and take time to connect with the wild beauty of the Welsh coast.

More to Explore…

Meet Sam

Sam joined our team of activity instructors in 2021 as an assistant guide with a huge amount of passion for outdoor adventure activities and a strong aspiration to share his deep connection with Nature. You may have met Sam if you visited us last year, and you’d probably remember his friendly Northern charm and ability to make you feel perfectly at ease before hurling yourself from a rocky outcrop into the ocean below! 

Sam was studying a degree in Outdoor Adventure Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen when the pandemic hit. As for so many, it was the experience of Lock Down which really highlighted the importance of outdoor spaces and nature for mental and spiritual wellbeing, and led Sam to write his dissertation on the relationship between connectedness to nature and mental health.

“My research outlined the numerous benefits we get from taking time to connect to nature, from the endorphins released by exercise in the outdoors to the importance of immersive ‘play’, breathing fresh, clean air to learning about our environment, the flora and fauna and incredible ecosystems which surround us.”

On an anthropological level, Sam reminds us, across all the continents, humans have always been deeply connected to the rhythms, cycles, and forces of Nature. It’s been integral for our survival and inherent to our sense of place, purpose, and meaning. Sam wants to underline the importance of continuing to nurture this relationship and honoring the idea that we are inseparable from nature and the planet.

“We ARE nature, we’re are a part of it all, and that feeling of interconnectedness is fundamental to our sense of wellbeing and happiness.

On a wider level too, i believe that feeling of connection and interelatedness is likely to inspire a greater concern for the impact we have on our surroundings. We’re likely to take more care of the planet when we take time to observe nature, to immerse ourself in its rhythms and pay attention to how it is changing.”

Sam has always been a nature-lover and his decision to embark on a career as an outdoor activity guide was influenced by his early experience of exploring the wilderness of the iconic moors, mountains, and woodlands in the Peak District, Britain’s first National Park.

“Growing up close to the city of Sheffield was great because the Peak District was right on my doorstep and my grandparents would take me adventuring there on the weekends and school holidays. The Peak District is absolutely spectacular, it sparked my love for exploration and the outdoors, but for me there is something special about the coast. That’s what drew me to Pembrokeshire.”

Sam spent much of last season living on site at Preseli Venture, just a short walk from the secluded local beach Abermawr through the ancient National Trust woodland. We asked Sam to share 5 things he loves about living by the sea and in what ways interacting with the sea is uplifting and inspiring.

Five Reasons to Take the Plunge

1. There isn’t much that can compare with the multi-sensory environment the coast offers. It’s immerisive, stimulating, and always changing, always surprising and new. It inspires us to play, to laugh, to learn, and to grow. The ocean can be our teacher if we open ourselves up to its limitless possibility!

2. There is a hugely diverse variety of wildlife and birdlife from the rocky coastline to the ocean dwellers, and Pembrokeshire offers a wild habitat for so many rare and beautiful creatures. You can’t help but feel excited when you spot a razorbill bobbing along or a gannet diving! It’s a great feeling sharing that excitement with others, too.

3. I love the relaxing energy you can tap into listening to the waves, whether combing the pebbles back and forth on the shoreline, lapping against your surfboard as you wait for a set to roll in or gently tapping the underside of your kayak as you cut through choppy water. You can’t help but fall into rhythm with the ocean. 

4. That feeling when you first submerge yourself in the ocean, it has the power to wipe clean your day. You always emerge feeling new, and the cold water lights up this inner fire in your core. It’s pure invigoration and adrenaline followed by deep calm. Thermogenesis is the process your body undergoes in cold water: it’s a powerful hit of endorphins.

5. The expansiveness of the ocean seems to help me create space in my mind. Its sheer inexorable power makes you feel small and insignificant; its hidden depths, an unknown world that fills you with awe and wonder. It can instantly quiet the mind and unravel the tensions you’ve been needlessly carrying around.

Get your dose of Vitamin Sea on our coastal adventure activities.

More to Explore…

Let’s zoom in on one of our most interesting neighbours, a small white-washed woollen mill with a restored water wheel down in the wooded Abermawr valley. Melin Tregwynt has been weaving from Welsh sheep’s wool since the 17th century and it’s been run by the same family for over 100 years, using traditional looms and methods. Their bold and iconic double cloth or “tapestry” patterned Welsh blankets and upholstery tweeds fly off the looms and into homes all over the world, with a timeless vernacular style that is quick to capture the imagination of anyone with a love for natural produce, interior design, fashion and Welsh history.

“Woven in Wales, these fabrics are the product of a way of thinking, of working and of living handed down through three generations of our family business. The skills and knowledge of all the staff, both past and present, keep the tradition of Welsh weaving alive at Melin Tregwynt“.

melintregwynt.co.uk

A peaceful haven for walkers

Melin Tregwynt falls on the path of a beautiful scenic walk from the eco lodge through the National Trust woodland, via the secluded beaches of Abermawr and Aberbach, and back up through the valley. It’s a welcome rest stop for walkers of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon tea with homemade welshcakes and barabrith. And whilst you’re there, visitors can browse their shop which has a gorgeous selection of blankets, throws, cushions and clothes, all made onsite.

Our Winter Weekends are the perfect chance to visit the mill: a Friday – Sunday break with just one adventure activity leaving lots of time for Wintry walking and allowing you to delve into the rich cultural history of the surrounding landscape. 

A tightly woven community

The mill has been in the family of the Griffiths family since 1912, but 110 years later in 2022, directors Efion and Amanda Griffiths recently transferred management of the mill to an employee-owned trust as they felt their passionate and highly skilled staff were the best community of people to carry the business forward! The threaders, weavers, menders, cutters, designers and sewers alike share a philosophy centred around making products that are intricate, beautiful, useful and of exceptional quality, with a positive impact on the environment.

“Each fabric we make is unique and only produced here in Pembrokeshire; where the skills and knowledge of our staff go into making every piece beautiful, useful and that little bit special“.

melintregwynt.co.uk

The wool at Melin Tregwynt is sourced from free-to-roam sheep in the Cambrian Mountains, facilitated by the Cambrian Wool Initiative. Their premium wool is the highest grade of a Welsh breed called the “Welsh Mule”, known for its lustre and fineness.

Why choose wool?

The Pembrokeshire coast has a prolific industrial history. Wool in particular is a huge part of our heritage, but it has also stood the test of time. Natural wool fibres are amazing at protecting us from the wild Welsh elements and regulating body temperature. Wool is antibacterial and odor-resistant. It’s also a fully renewable resource which is biodegradable and a natural part of the carbon cycle. The average wool garment has a life of 2-10 years, much longer than most other fibres! And at the end of its life cycle, a wool garment can be upcycled and respun, contributing to a sustainable circular economy.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to return to the roots of Welsh weaving; combining locally sourced yarn with beautiful design in order to create a premium Welsh product for our customers”.

melintregwynt.co.uk

Visit Melin Tregwynt’s website to find out more or pop in whilst staying with us at the Eco Barn or Courtyard Cottages. We think visiting the woollen mill is an essential way to situate yourself in the incredible landscape of the Abermawr Valley and take a walk through its history. Well… when in Wales!

More to Explore…