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“Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms
of introspection.”
Lawrence Durrell
Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales (Fall)
September 29-October 6, 2012
St.
Davids, Britain’s smallest “city”, is the base for
this tour in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Almost surrounded by the sea, St.
Davids is only 2 miles from a coast to the north, south and west. And
what a coast!
This
is the only coastline in Britain designated a National Park because of
its spectacular scenery. Passing by rocky coves, sandy beaches, and small
harbors, our coastal path hugs the cliff tops and provides wonderful
views. We see many seabirds as well as Atlantic Grey seals with their
newborn pups.
The
Pembrokeshire Coast speaks to many interests. Warmed by the Gulf Stream,
wildflowers appear year round. The fall is abundant with golden gorse
and purple heather. Offering some of the finest cliff scenery in Wales,
nearby Ramsey Island is ideal for bird lovers and seal watchers. Over
400 white coated Atlantic Grey Seal pups are born each autumn on the
shores of Ramsey Island.
If your interests include history, there
will be a guided tour of St. Davids Cathedral — Wales' largest.
Along our walks we will see the ruins of small chapels, hut circles,
Iron Age forts and a Neolithic burial place.
Our hikes average 8 miles and are at a pace which allows for photography,
contemplative viewing, time to ask the guide questions and maybe some
Welshcakes along the way. At the end of the day, we can be assured of
excellent comfort and delicious food at the Old Cross Hotel, our base
in the heart of the village of St. Davids.
Download the Day by Day Itinerary (pdf).
Please Note: The listed schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
Download the Day by Day Itinerary (pdf).
Our Itinerary
Saturday, Sept 29 - Arrive in St. Davids, Wales, and check in at the Old Cross Hotel in the village center. The trip officially begins with dinner in the hotel dining room at 7:30PM, but meet me for drinks in the hotel bar at 7:00. After dinner, we will have coffee in the hotel lounge and our guide will give the details of our week’s program. Most evenings we will gather in the lounge after dinner for coffee and review/preview. Lodging: Old Cross Hotel
Sunday, Sept 30 - Walk from the Old Cross to St. Non’s Well and onto the Coastal Path. Our walk takes us past the shrine to St. Non (St. David’s mother) then on to Porthclais harbor-William the Conqueror came into this harbor. Along the way we will be seeing beautiful sea views, seabirds, old copper mines and earthen forts. At St. Davids Lifeboat Station we will turn away from the sea and back toward St. Davids. About 8 miles today. Dinner together
Monday, Oct 1 - We will take the local bus to Pen-y-Cwm where we begin our short walk to join the coastal path . We have long views to the sea today and closer views of choughs and peregrine nest sites. Our lunch is at Solva Boat Club on the the perfect harbor of Solva. A little shopping time before continuing on the coastal path—or, if you choose, take a bus back into St. Davids for a restful afternoon. The afternoon walk follows a varied coastline taking us by an Iron Age hill fort, lime kilns, an old mill and maybe a surprise tea stop! Via Caerfai Bay, we are back into St. Davids. Today we have a series of steep hills that have many steps--you will be using your hiking poles a lot. About 8 miles today. Lunch today at Solva Boat Club. Dinner on your own.
Tuesday, Oct 2 - This is a relaxed day on your own to explore St. Davids. We will have a one hour cathedral tour in the morning (10:30). Enjoy a day of leisure to investigate the shops, read a good book, or take a walk. After dinner our guide will do a slide presentation about the Pembrokeshire Coast: past and present. Lunch on your own. Dinner together.
Wednesday, Oct 3 - A local bus this morning to Porthgain and a look around the artists’ galleries there before a walk through the harbor village and onto the coast. We will have wonderful views to the west as we follow the path by old quarries, (Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy), badger sites, hill forts, and gull colonies, maybe even see some seals bobbing in the water. Our path takes us back into St. Davids. Today 9.5 miles. Dinner on your own.
Thursday, Oct 4 - Ramsey Island, a British National Nature Reserve, inhabited only by Atlantic Grey Seals, wild Red Deer, golden gorse and purple heather is our lovely island destination for today. The seven mile coastline of this 625 acre island includes some of the finest cliff scenery in Pembrokeshire. The largest colony of Grey Seals in Southern Britain breed on the beaches and in the caves of Ramsey Island. Bring binoculars. 3-5 miles. Dinner together.
Friday, Oct 5 – A final day walking. Our aim today is St. Davids Head, the most westerly point in Great Britain. A pre-historic burial chamber, Iron Age field system and hut circles are sites we will visit on this headland. Our walk back into St. Davids will be along the mile-long beach of Whitesands Bay watching out for orchids and butterflies. Today 6-7 miles. Farewell dinner in hotel dining room.
Saturday, Oct 6 - Breakfast and departure.
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