Stackpole Quay Beach

Set within a National Trust estate on the southern coast of Pembrokeshire, you will find the petite shingle cove of Stackpole Quay Beach. Once used as a harbour when the limestone industry here was booming, this charming inlet is now used primarily by wildlife watchers and walkers.

The Stackpole Estate is now a National Nature Reserve and one of its best-known attractions are the Bosherston Lakes, or the Bosherston Lily Ponds as many like to call them. The estate was developed initially developed by the Cawdor family who created the lakes and landscaped hillsides, and the harbour was then used as a private mooring for their sailing boats.

Activities

Stackpole Quay Beach is a stony shingle beach which is almost completely enveloped by water at high tide. The lack of golden sands here sees traditional beachgoers opt for other seaside resorts in the area such as Tenby South Beach, whilst surfers aim for the likes of Freshwater West Beach and Newgale Beach which often receive bountiful swell from the Irish sea.

A positive of this however, is that Stackpole Quay Beach is one of the less crowded bays in Pembrokeshire – a welcomed fact for many come the summer months. Instead, you’ll find a selection of water adventurers and ramblers exploring this picturesque Pembrokeshire location.

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The most popular water adventures here at paddleboarding, kayaking and canoes. The old harbour makes a perfect spot for launching such small vessels and the dramatic cliffs of the coastline certainly make for wonderful viewing via the sea. There are also some great sea caves to explore along this stretch of Pembrokeshire. On your leisurely paddle around the shoreline, you may even spot a rock climber or two abseiling down these limestone cliffs.

Being located within a Nature Reserve, it’s no wonder that Stackpole Quay Beach is a favourite for wildlife enthusiasts as this region really teems with all kinds of birdlife, sea life and insects. Expect to find fulmars, choughs and razorbills on the outskirts of the estate with house martins, kingfishers and bats more often spotted inland. The lakes can be found sprinkled with swans, ducks, herons and otters. The Stackpole Estate is no stranger to bats either, and you’ll find wild ponies walking the rural farmland.

Walking the district is the best way to ensure sightings of the rich wildlife inhabiting the land here and there are several options for where to walk. Follow the peaceful walk through the fields along the eight arch bridge to the Bosherston Lily Ponds where you can join the circular walk around the flooded valley, or take the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to the secluded Barafundle Bay.

Barafundle Bay

You can, of course, continue along the Coastal Path past Barafundle Bay to reach Broadhaven South Beach where you can again join the circular walk around the Lily Ponds or alternatively, keep to the Path and you will eventually reach the cliffside spectacle at St Govan’s Chapel. Venture east towards Manorbier Beach along Freshwater East Beach, and eventually, you’ll reach Lydstep and Tenby where you can enjoy views over Caldey Island.

Sea anglers can sometimes be spotted at Stackpole Quay Beach, although you’re more likely to find them making their way to higher ground as the cove itself is more suited as a reserve fishing location as the rough ground and sheltered harbour are less plentiful than the surrounding coastline. Just a short distance from the Quay along the headland however, you will find rock marks ideal for fishermen. These rock marks often result in catches of mackerel, wrasse, sea bass and hull.

Divers gather at Stackpole Quay Beach as the crystal clear waters are so pure that visiting divers often marvel at the clarity here. The sea world is grounded with a reef/rock bottom where you will find some sections covered in seaweed, and the rocky gullies are well worth an explore. Expect to see barnacles, limpets, pollack and wrasse. Enjoy a sub-aqua adventure at Stackpole Quay Beach in May/June and you’ll be met with impressive sights of swimming crabs during mating season. High tide is recommended as the best time to dive here but do beware of the boat traffic when venturing out to see.

Facilities

As with most National Trust locations, at Stackpole Quay Beach you will find a popular café offering delicious lunches and snacks. The Boathouse Tearooms is just a stone’s throw from the bay and offers a wide range of homemade delights including cream teas (recommended!) and hot coffee. The menu champions fresh local produce, so much so that The Boathouse Tearooms has received the Food for Life Award from the Soil Association. You can eat inside or outside.

Further inland passing the tearooms, you will find a large tarmacked car park with a greenfield behind which is used as an overspill come peak season. It is a National Trust managed parking area meaning that it is a Pay and Display site in the summer run by a National Trust attendant (NT members park free).

In this car park, you will find a public toilet block and a small hut offering various National Trust information, gifts and souvenirs. The attendants working here are great sources of advice and information, so make sure to say hi and if you have any questions, these guys will no doubt be able to help you.

You can also book watersports sessions running from Stackpole Quay Beach, these are offered by a local activity centre called Outer Reef Surf School. One of the most popular sessions at this location is paddleboarding, an ideal way to dip your toe in the watersports world if you’re new to the activity.

Local Top Tips

Despite being a large car park, this can fill up with visitors hoping to explore the wider Stackpole Estate and join the Pembrokeshire Coast Path here. You shouldn’t have too much trouble parking here before lunchtime but after that, it can become particularly busy.

If you’re bringing along kayaks, diving equipment or anything else heavy/large, you will want to get here early to ensure a spot at the front of the car park nearest the bay at Stackpole Quay Beach to save you walking the length of the car park.

Access

From the car park, access to the beach is level making it easily accessible for wheelchairs and prams. The road is even and tarmacked to the beach but pedestrians should take the footpath to the right of the car park, this is also even and tarmacked. Upon reaching Stackpole Quay Beach, you will find a picnic area with a picnic table atop the harbour wall overlooking the back. Take the concrete slipway down onto the shingle-backed bay.

To join the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, you’ll be met with steps on either side of the slipway. There is also a footpath at the back of the car park, alongside the overspill parking area, which will take you to Bosherston Lily Ponds via the Eight Arch Bridge meaning you don’t have to go via the Coastal Path if you’re wanting a short cut.

Is Stackpole Quay Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes Stackpole Quay Beach is dog friendly all year long but do bear in mind that this is within a National Nature Reserve, so dog owners are asked to keep their canines under close control so as not to disturb the wildlife in the area.

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