St Brides Haven Beach

Nestled on the southwesterly curve of the Pembrokeshire coastline overlooking St Brides Bay lies the pebbly inlet of St Brides Haven Beach. This sheltered cove is a mixture of shingle until low tide when a sandy bay is revealed and is popular for boating, bathing and diving.

Set within the Marloes peninsula, the beach at St Brides is a short drive from the rural villages of Marloes, Dale and St Ishmaels as well as Little Haven further north. Suspected to be an old fishing village with a collection of cottages close to the cliff’s edge, St Brides Haven is steeped in history with glimpses of days gone by in every direction.

Up the road you’ll spy a grand 19th Baronial-style castle, once home to the Barons of Kensington in the early 20th Century who had a significant impact on this quaint hamlet. Set in 99 acres of grounds, St Brides Castle is now a holiday complex so unfortunately you cannot visit, but you can still get a sighting of it over the grassland.

Activities

Despite being one of the smaller coves along this stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast, St Brides Haven Beach is a favourite for many and becomes a bustle of activity come the summer months. You won’t find many sandcastle builders here due to the shingle terrain however expect to see the waters teeming with beachgoers.

The sheltered nature from the low sandstone cliffs here results in waters safe for bathing and swimming. The shallow shoreline also means it is suitable enough to take small children paddling and splashing in the surf.

The rocky surroundings at St Brides Haven Beach are ideal if you’re looking to take the little ones rock pooling. Head to the edges of the bay and you’re sure to find colourful and vibrant sea creatures in interesting and textures habitats. Find spider crabs, spot a starfish or two and try to figure out the differences between sea anemones. Small explorers will no doubt adore rifling through the stream running across the bay too.

On the topic of life underwater, St Brides Haven Beach is widely regarded as one of the top spots in Britain for diving. Beginners often start their diving adventures here, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there is not much to see. St Brides is within the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation and there is a known reef here. Snorkellers and divers are likely to sight cuttlefish, prawns, and jewel anemones here along with crabs and even sea horses! There are many hidden pockets and kelp areas to investigate. The Skomer Marine Conservation Area (a designated SSSI location) lies nearby, but many prefer diving at St Brides Haven Beach as there is less boat traffic.

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That being said, boating is a popular hobby seen here but with regular wildlife cruises and ferries to Skomer Island, it is certainly the quieter option of the two. At St Brides Haven Beach, expect to see small sailing boats decorating the shores along with kayakers and canoeists in their one-man oar-powered vessels.

As suggested, this cove was once home to a small community of fishermen; the homes of which have by now descended into the sea. You may wish to follow in their footsteps and try your hand at fishing here yourself. Anglers casting off here are likely to catch pollack, conger, mackerel and dogfish as well as the lesser found wrasse and huss. To ensure the best yield, aim for the western side of the beach.

The coastal path here is part of the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path, also a National Trail, and it’s fair to say that ramblers love to walk this stretch. With views out over Skomer Island and St Brides Bay, what’s not to enjoy? You can follow the route south towards Martin’s Haven Beach, departure point for Skomer ferries, and continue around St Anne’s Head at Dale, or venture north through Little Haven and Broad Haven to reach Newgale.

Passionate historians may enjoy a visit to St Bridget’s Church which stands a stone’s throw from the beach. Records suggest it dates back as far as the 13th Century and is dedicated to the Irish saint, Bridget, who supposedly travelled here from the Emerald isle with our Patron Saint of Wales, Dewi Sant. Allegedly she built a convent here, the remains of which can be seen within the castle grounds. At the back of the bay, there is also the remains of round lime kiln.

St Brides Haven Beach is also a recommended spot for stargazing. This rural landscape lacks in light pollution meaning views of the stars are much clearer than in the bigger brightly lit cities. Make sure to bring along a blanket as this cove can get chilly at night, especially if there are sea winds gusting in. Pack your binoculars and telescope if you’re a keen astronomer, or sit back and enjoy the sights by the naked eye if you simply want a peaceful evening with your sweetheart.

Facilities

The facilities at St Brides Haven Beach are somewhat basic. There is no village or town set around the bay, simply a small but widespread hamlet of cottages. Overlooking the beach at an elevated position, there is a lawned picnic area with some wooden benches, ideal for a spot of lunch.

You will find a small grassy area behind the beach which acts as a car park for visitors. It is free but only has spaces for 20 cars or so and it can be a popular choice of beach in the locality. St Bridget’s Church can easily be seen from the parking area and a little further inland stands a public toilet block.

For further amenities, you’ll need to travel to one of the nearby villages. Marloes is your nearest and whilst it is a coastal village itself, houses all the necessary community amenities you might need. Here you will find Marloes Village Stores and Post Office catering for your daily groceries, newspapers and postal services. You will also find a large outdoor play area for children alongside a public toilet block.

The local pub is a cosy welcoming inn named The Lobster Pot, whist the nearby café The Clock House is the perfect place for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake. Travel out to the bay at Marloes Sands and you’ll discover Runwayskiln in the old youth hostel, a must-visit for vegans and vegetarians visiting the area.

Alternatively, you can head for Dale, Little Haven or St Ishmaels; all of which have their own popular beaches and eateries.

Local Top Tips

St Brides Haven is a deceptively popular beach so parking is limited here, particularly on warm summer days.

Access

From the car park, access to St Brides Haven Beach is via a footpath made from the natural clay-like terrain of the area. It does slope downward towards the beach so those with mobility issues may need to be careful underfoot.

Is St Brides Haven Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes! St Brides Haven Beach is dog friendly all year round with no restrictions you need to be aware of.

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