View from Carn Llidi, St. Davids Head.
We have just come back from a mini-break. No – not Paris or Rome, thank you. We have come back feeling far more refreshed and full of the joys of life than any of Europe’s city-chic destinations. Instead we spent the first weekend in October back in amongst the stunning coastal scenery of Northern Pembrokeshire.
Those who visit Baby Routes regularly will already know Pembrokeshire is an area we fell in love with after our first visit earlier this summer. It boasts magnificent open landscapes, exhilarating cliff-tops walks and some of Britain’s most beautiful beaches.
Best of all, Pembrokeshire is accessible. For parents like us who sigh a little with envy as the serious hill climbers head on up past us and our ambling toddler as they set out on a full day of peak-bagging in other destinations, Pembrokeshire is the perfect compromise. There are some fantastic walks and views here to be enjoyed without feeling like you are settling for second best, many for only an hour of effort and several for well under half that and almost all with plenty of interest for little walkers too. If walking isn’t your thing then there’s still so much to enjoy outdoors in Pembrokeshire, not least the beaches and the amazing wildlife.
The Cow Shed at Asheston Eco Barns and our home for the weekend.
This time around our Pembrokeshire base was at Asheston Eco Barns,not far from the former pirate hang-out of Solva and the never-ending sands of Newgale Beach. Offering 5* Luxury with environmentally friendly credentials, this family run self-catering accommodation is in a secluded, rural spot with great views and a wonderfully family-friendly vibe. We had a really great experience and really didn’t want to leave. I’ll be writing up more about our stay at Asheston Eco Barns very soon.
Despite only two full days to play in Pembrokeshire, we still managed to pack in three walks and a spot of surfing at Newgale. We found a lovely short walk from the creek at pretty Porth Clais and climbed for fantastic views to the top of Carn Llidi at St. David’s Head. Our favourite trip though was to Martins Haven (the departure point for our previous trip to see Puffins on Skomer Island back in June). Here our luck came in and we saw lots of seals, many of whom were nursing tiny seal pups. It was a magical walk, despite being pretty windy and Roo has raced into nursery this morning full of excitement, to show everyone a photo of the ‘Mummy and baby seals’ she saw.
A taster of our photos from seal watching at Martins Haven!
Always fans of slow travel, we also managed to squeeze in two stop-offs on our journey to Pembrokeshire – at wild and windy Pembrey Beach and at a very autumnal looking Tintern Abbey on the return route, where the trees were just turning to create a kaleidoscope of autumn colour above the banks of the River Wye.
A fantastic weekend away and a great way to start October. Thanks Karen and family for making our stay at the Eco Barns and Pembrokeshire such an enjoyable one – I’m sure we will be seeing you again! Now to get on with writing up our walks, accommodation and posting those gorgeous baby seal pups photos… check back soon!
