Porthmynawyd (Pointz Castle) Beach

Positioned between the well-known holiday destinations of Solva and Newgale on the westerly coast of Pembrokeshire, there lies a petite inlet named Porthmynawyd Beach. If lesser-travelled bays are your thing, this one is a top choice. 

Even if you’re a local to Pembrokeshire, you’ll be forgiven for being unfamiliar with this small stretch of golden sands as there are no signposts from the main road to entice you here. Porthmynawyd Beach is one where the great reputation has grown mostly by word of mouth, keeping it one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Those who have somehow stumbled upon this idyllic bay have a hard time keeping it to themselves and that’s the sign of a quality seaside destination. 

Its very location adds to the beauty of this bay; not only does it promise incredible views across almost the entirety of St Brides Bay but tranquillity is guaranteed too. Expect no crowds and no immediate facilities, this is one for the explorers. Access is via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or across fields, farmlands and footpaths but believe us, the effort is certainly worth it. Make sure to time it right though as if you arrive when the tide is in, you may be fooled into thinking this beach is a thing of myth.

Activities

Porthmynawyd Beach is flanked by high cliffs, with a prominent headland known as Dinas Fach jutting out into the sea on your right side (when looking at the water); Dinas Fawr is further towards Solva. These high cliffsides reward beachgoers here with a sheltered bay favoured by swimmers so make sure to bring your bathers and towel. As with every time you go sea swimming, you need to take care but particularly so here as there are no lifeguards and potentially no other visitors depending on when you visit. 

Watersports such as kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding are better suited to the nearer beach of Newgale as you’ll have less of a walk to the beach and thus, the water. 

Low tide reveals impeccably clean golden sands here, ideal for laying out a towel and settling down to catch some rays. The high coastal walls can provide plenty of shade for when you need some relief from the sunshine though make sure to keep hydrated and of course, wear plenty of sunscreen. 

As the water retreats back to the ocean, Pointz Castle Beach becomes a haven for rock poolers and there is even a cave to explore too. You might want to bring a little notebook to keep track of the creatures you discover or a sketchbook for when inspiration takes hold. 

One of the most favoured pastimes here is stopping for a picnic, talk about a picturesque point for a pitstop. It’s approximately halfway between Newgale and Solva if you’re walking this stretch of the Coast Path - and it’s a steep, hilly section of the world-famous footpath so you’ll likely need the rest if you are passing through. 

If you don’t fancy taking on this stretch of the Path, there’s an alternative circular walk you could choose instead. It follows a route through the farmland from Pointz Castle, past the scene of an old Norman motte, down towards the beach then returns via the coastline making its way back inland near the old burial chamber at St Elvis Farm and round. 

This western district is also home to a selection of wildlife including kestrels, jackdaws, fulmars and cormorants - not forgetting the easily recognisable seagulls too.

Facilities

As mentioned above, facilities are limited at Porthmynawyd Beach as a result of its off-the-beaten-path setting. The beach itself has no facilities within immediate reach; no lifeguards, no parking, no cafes, no shops and no toilets. 

However, take the walk back towards Pointz Castle Farm and you’ll discover one of the best ice cream parlours around; Pointz Castle Ice Cream. Picture a barn conversion turned ice cream parlour, complete with an outdoors play area for the little ones and that’s precisely what you’ll discover here. Opening hours vary throughout the seasons but it is well worth making sure you check the times before you plan your visit. 

Run by a family of dairy farmers, whose cows can often be spotted in the fields and in the barns ready for milking, Pointz Castle Ice Cream is the perfect refreshment stop whether you’re after something cool on a hot day or something warming on a cold day. Choose a cone from their wide selection of homemade flavours in the scoop freezer, pick up a takeaway pot to go home with (always a must!) or opt for a hot cuppa and a slice of cake instead. 

Customers of Pointz Castle Ice Cream will also have access to their toilets, the outdoors play area and the large car park opposite the eatery. 

On the topic of parking, there are limited spaces nearer the start of the footpath if you’re just visiting for the beach. There’s also a layby just off the main road near the turning for this hamlet where some people like to park for a couple of hours whilst they stroll down to the beach. The main public bus service between Haverfordwest and St Davids also runs right by the turning so you can jump off by the main road and take the short walk to reach the start of the footpath. 

Local Top Tips

We’d recommend bringing along a little backpack with some water and perhaps some snacks, even if you’re planning to visit Pointz Castle Ice Cream before/after your visit to Porthmynawyd Beach - particularly if the weather is warm. A backpack means you can keep your hands free to snap a shot of the views along the walk to the sand plus it will be easier to manage if you’re bringing along a larger picnic to keep you refreshed whilst you spend a whole day out here. 

Access

As mentioned above, you’re in for a short walk when visiting this hidden bay - but don’t let that put you off for one moment. The views and the serene setting are more than worth it and the walk is only twenty minutes or so from the start of the footpath. 

If driving, turn off the main road when you see the large signpost for Pointz Castle Ice Cream and continue along the country road until you reach the ice cream parlour. You could also ask the main bus service to stop here at the junction. 

You can then use the large car park opposite if you’re planning to visit before/after your time at the beach, or you can continue a few yards further past a barn on your right. You’ll find a few spaces where you can park your car with the footpath sign and gate on your right, just before a sharp bend where the road turns into a single-track country lane that takes you to Lochvane where there is a hamlet of houses. 

Follow the footpath sign which will take you along a farm track for a short distance before you enter into a field. You’ll cross a couple of fields, all easily signposted, before joining a clear footpath that will take you down to the beach. You’ll step across a small pebbled area before stepping foot on the sand. 

Alternatively, you could park at Solva or Newgale and walk along the Wales Coast Path to reach this beach. Depending on your pace, Porthmynawyd Beach is around one hour from each being set in the centre. Bear in mind though, this stretch of the Path is very steep in parts and there may be large drops alongside. Newgale has larger car parks to choose from and is a nice 2 mile bay itself, whereas Solva is a harbourside village with plenty of eateries, galleries and another "hidden" bay, Gwadn Beach.

Is Porthmynawyd (Pointz Castle) Beach Dog Friendly?

This Pembrokeshire beach is dog friendly all year round making it a great choice if your pooch likes a doggy paddle!

Please note, you’ll want to keep your canine firmly on a lead when walking to access the beach as you will be passing through and along farmland whichever direction you choose to walk from. There is livestock in these fields as Pointz Castle Farm is a working dairy farm and others nearby will also have livestock.

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