Beautiful Barafundle Bay
DETAILS
Barafundle Bay
9.1 miles from the cottage
Award winning and more Caribbean than British
Barafundle Bay is a mere twenty five minute drive from the cottage. Winding country roads lead you to the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay. Part of the Stackpole Estate and maintained by the National Trust, Barafundle Bay is award winning and more like a Caribbean beach than your typical British beach.
Accessed by a half mile stretch of the coastal path from Stackpole Quay - Barafundle may be off the beaten track, but it is most definitely worthy of a place on your itinerary. It feels as though you’ve stumbled upon a delightful new discovery, with its secluded position nestled behind the old stone walls.
When we first told friends about buying Old Barn Cottage, a lot of them immediately told of us this beach. Citing it as their favourite beach in Pembrokeshire and promising we’ll never believe our eyes when we see it. To be honest it is so extremely beautiful, it’s not hard to forgive the half mile walk you need to do in order to be on the beach.
Once a family owned estate, passed down through the generations since the 1700’s, Barafundle Bay was the private beach for the estate. The Cawdor Family are thought to have built the wall you see when visiting today.
During the world wars, half the estate was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and became Castlemartin firing range. Sadly the house was demolished in 1963, it was falling apart. In the 1970’s the estate was split up and the farms sold. It was at this point the National Trust took on responsibility for the coastline, woodland and lakes of the estate. What a gift for the nation to enjoy.
How to get there
Getting there is easy enough. Follow the satnav to SA71 5LS at Stackpole Quay. There is a National Trust car park here, along with The Boathouse Tearooms and the toilet block. There are no facilities on the beach itself, so best to make use of these at Stackpole Quay before heading over.
You’ll then take the path up the steps, opposite the tea rooms, and onto the coastal path towards Barafundle Bay. As you emerge from the trees at the top of the steps, carry on along the grassy path up the hill. It’s quite obvious where to go. You’ll eventually come to the famously instagramable National Trust sign, announcing Barafundle Bay and the old stone wall and steps that lead down to the beach. The wall is beautiful in itself and, yet again, more like something you’d see on a beach abroad, not the UK.
The sand here is unbelievably lovely. The trees on the headland above feel almost tropical and the sea is often clear with a pastel hue. The dunes behind the beach are beautiful and lovely to explore. Although one of the most desirable beaches in Pembrokeshire, we have never seen it full to overflowing and there is plenty of space for all.
While we have yet to venture here for a whole day beach trip, we have seen people enjoying a paddle in the sea and it is perfect for sandcastles. It really is worth the walk, even for little people. Once up and down the steps, pushchair access is easy enough and possibly helpful in carting all associated paraphernalia to the beach.
We tend to visit Barafundle as part of a coastal path wander, and it’s perfect for a picnic lunch to recharge. The coastal path is easily accessed from either end of the beach and offers amazing views out to sea. The Stackpole Estate also includes nearby Broadhaven South Beach and Bosherston Lily Ponds.
There is a circular walk you can do, from any of these, to visit all three attractions. All are worthy of a visit in their own right and we usually like to do them one at a time. But if you are pushed for time it’s well worth doing the circular walk.
Getting there and car parks . . .
Barafundle Bay is a lovely drive from the cottage and a frequent item on our itinerary. Whether Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, Barafundle is delightful.
There is very easy parking in the car park. It does get busy but we’ve never been completely stuck for a space here.
Barafundle Bay truly is somewhere that makes us feel very blessed to have a cottage near by. We highly recommend you visit.