WEST WALES.

The Area known as West Wales includes Pembrokeshire, parts of Carmarthenshire and a section of Cardiganshire. It is an area of great contrasts. North Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire are rugged and wild, with the mystical Preseli Hills towering over the wild coastline. South Pembrokeshire is more serene, with long beaches and green winding lanes. Carmarthenshire is that forgotten land of Merlin the magician, wide river estuaries, and forested mountains.  The whole area is excellent for mountain biking and hiking with an abundance of well signposted footpaths and bridleways. If you want to mountain bike in the area then there is the excellent book ‘Mountain Biking in West Wales’ by Dave and Barbara Palmer available by post on this web site. This book has over 20 rides for the novice to the expert.

For those people who want a real hiking challenge there is the Pembrokeshire long distance coast path. This path which is 180 miles long, starts at Cardigan in the north and finishes at Amroth in the South. Just because this path follows the coast don’t be fooled into thinking it will be easy. There are enough steep climbs to tire even the fittest person. For further information try www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk

Weather. In the west and southwest of Pembrokeshire the climate is very mild due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. It is very unusual to have snow but the winter months can be very wet. The driest and warmest months are May, June, and July which are ideal for biking and hiking. August is warm but you can have the odd wet day. In September and October the days and nights get colder but very often you have an Indian summer, with high pressure giving blue skies and sunny days. Definitely the worst months are November and December which are known locally as the monsoon months. From the fifth of November which is Bonfire Night, to Christmas it usually rains non stop, add a force ten westerly gale and you soon get wet.   In January, February, March and April though quite cold the days are often pleasant. The ground though is very muddy and makes off road biking a challenge.

GETTING THERE. 

By Plane.

The nearest airport is Cardiff International this has flights from most European Countries and flights from America twice a week. For all other counties you will have to fly to Heathrow Airport London.

Cardiff International Airport. www.cial.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1446 711 111

British Airways www.britishairways.com Tel  +44 (0)845 77 333 77

Ryan Air. www.ryanair.com 

By Train.

There is a regular train service from London to Carmarthen, Fishguard, Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest. Please check with the Rail Company if you want to take a bike, as there are limited spaces available.

National Rail. www.nationalrail.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0)845 7484950 

By Bus

 National Express run a very good coach service from most parts of the UK, but there is no room for bikes. For getting about in West Wales the local bus service is not very good. It is expensive and it either runs very infrequently or not at all.

National Express (long distance) www.gobycoach.com    +44 (0)8705 808080

 Richards Brothers (Local)   http://www.richardsbros.co.uk

Silcox Motors + 44 (0)1646 683143

By Ferry 

There are two Ferry companies that run a service from Southern Ireland, Irish Ferries and Stena Sealink. They embark at Pembroke Dock and Fishguard. Though the prices in July and August are expensive, out side of these months you can often get special deals.

 By Car

The best way to travel around West Wales is by car. Most of the walks and rides are only accessible by car. The road system in the area is very good, though the roads can be very narrow in some places. From London or the Midlands there is a good motorway right into the heart of the area. Though the rest of the roads in the United Kingdom can be very congested, thankfully in West Wales traffic jams or only usually encountered during July and August.

 Car Hire

If you are travelling by train or coach to the area and you want to hire a car it is best to finish you journey at Swansea. Here you can hire a car from all the major car hire companies. Further west there are only a few car hire firms, based at the Fishguard Ferry, Haverfordwest and Saundersfoot.

Car Hire Firms

ACCOMODATION

Right through out the area accommodation is plentiful, especially along the coast. There are lots of hotels to be found and you should easily be able to find a room. We would advise you to book early during July, August and early September.

Also a  good alternative is Bed and Breakfast accommodation. this is a room for the night at a typical Welsh house and comes with an English breakfast, which usually consists of fried eggs, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, toast, marmalade and tea or coffee. The average cost is £15 to £25 per person per night.

Caravan and Camping sites abound all around the area and the cost is quite reasonable.
Nice central area for exploring Preseli is www.tirbachfarm.co.uk

There is also a large selection of self catering cottages available to rent through out the area. These cater for all tastes and pockets from the grandest of houses to the smallest of Welsh Cottages.

Tourist information

Saundersfoot     +44 ( 0)1834 813672

Tenby                +44 (0)1834 842402

Haverfordwest   +44 ( 0)1437  763110

Carmarthen         +44 (0)1267  231557

Cardigan           +44 ( 0)1239  613230 

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, St Davids, +44 (0)1437 720392

Powells Cottage Holidays   +44( 0)870 514 3076

Saundersfoot Bay Leisure   http://www.saundersfootbay.co.uk

Stone Pitt Camping,  Kilgetty  +44 (0)1834 811086

Nine Wells Camping, St Davids  +44 (0)1437 721809

Croft Holiday Park, Reynalton.  http://www.ukparks.co.uk/croft

Cenarth Falls Holiday Park,  http://www.cfhp.co.uk

Maps and Guides

Ordnance Survey Maps

Outdoor Leisure 35 North Pembrokeshire 1:25 000

Outdoor Leisure 36 South Pembrokeshire 1:25 000

Explorer 185 Newcastle Emlyn 1:25 000

Explorer 198 Cardigan  1:25 000
Explorer 186 Brechfa    1:25 000

Mountain Biking in West Wales by Dave & Barbara Palmer

A Visitors Guide to Pembrokeshire by Allan Shepherd

 Copyright 2003  onabootstring.com  All rights reserved.