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Top 5 reasons to visit Pembrokeshire this Summer

new year holidays

Pembrokeshire, located in the beautiful southwest corner of Wales, offers a wide range of attractions and natural beauty. Here are the top five reasons to visit Pembrokeshire this summer:

  1. Beautiful Coastal Scenery: Pembrokeshire is renowned for its stunning coast path, with the unique cliffs, golden beaches, and hidden coves. Whether you’re a keen hiker or simply looking for a peaceful seaside escape, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers beautiful views, picturesque trails, and opportunities for spotting the local wildlife. 
  2. Charming Towns and Villages: Pembrokeshire is home to numerous charming towns and villages that offer a warm welcome and the opportunity to experience the local culture. Tenby is particularly popular among visitors, with its colourful houses, narrow streets, and beautiful beaches. Other picturesque places to explore include Fishguard, St Davids, and Narberth, each with their own unique character and attractions.
  3. Outdoor Activities: The region offers an array of activities, including coasteering, surfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, rock climbing, and much more. Pembrokeshire provides an excellent backdrop for adventurous pursuits with its clear waters and varied terrain. With Broad Haven and Little Haven beaches on our doorstep, there is literally no stopping you!
  4. Wildlife and Nature: The Pembrokeshire Coastline is teeming with wildlife, including dolphins and porpoises playing in the waves, Atlantic Grey seals birthing on our shores, and a wide variety of rare birds such as choughs, skylarks and the stonechat choose the coastal heathland to make their home. You can embark on a boat trip to see the wildlife up close or explore the nature reserves and islands within our county, such as Skomer Island, which is famous for its puffin colonies.
  5. Historic Sites: Pembrokeshire boasts a wealth of historical and cultural sites. St Davids Cathedral, situated in the smallest City in Britain, is a notable landmark renowned for its stunning architecture. Pembroke Castle, a medieval fortress, is another must-visit attraction that offers a glimpse into the region’s past. Exploring these sites allows you to delve into Pembrokeshire’s rich heritage.

These are just a few highlights of why Pembrokeshire is a fantastic destination to visit this summer. Our County has something for everyone to enjoy!

Book your stay at Atlantic View for your perfect break in Pembrokeshire

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Take a trip to the Green Bridge of Wales

Green Bridge of Wales

Pembrokeshire is well known for its rugged coastline, dotted with dramatic rock formations and dizzy cliff edges, lined with the famous Pembrokeshire coast path. No spot along one of Britain’s most staggering coastlines is as dramatic as the Green Bridge of Wales. Located in South Pembrokeshire, this stunning rock arch is comparable with similar stunning sites such as Durdle Door in Dorset. But the Green Bridge of Wales is as dramatic to get to as it is to view – find out why below!

What is the Green Bridge of Wales?

This 80-foot high expanse of limestone stretches a span of 66 feet into The Wash, a bay full of limestone stacks and craggy cliffs covered in sea birds. This spectacular viewpoint, with its almost architectural rock formations, is covered in vegetation, giving it the name the ‘Green’ bridge.

The Green Bridge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protected Area, and a Special Area of Conservation. The area is abundant with Mesozoic fossils and rich in geological heritage. This place is so much more than a beautiful vantage point!

It’s situated on the South coast of Pembrokeshire, at Castlemartin, only around 8 miles from popular Barafundle beach and around a 40-minute scenic drive south from Atlantic View. It’s home to razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, and cormorants, as well as tufts of golden gorse, lilac heathers, and light green tree mallow.

How was the Green Bridge of Wales formed?

The carboniferous rock which makes up most of the Pembrokeshire coastline has been shaped and molded by the tumultuous waves for millennia. This is what creates the fantastic formations, curved bays, sand banks, and natural harbours that make this part of the world so naturally beautiful.

The limestone which makes up this beautiful arch was once a whole piece of land that has been slowly eroded and molded into this stunning piece of natural architecture. The crashing sea has had plenty of time to create this popular view – the Carboniferous period dates back over 350 million years ago. To give you some context on just how long ago that was, that’s around the time of the dinosaurs!

Visiting the Green Bridge of Wales

This unique natural monument has a unique position on the Pembrokeshire coast…it’s on a live military tank firing range! But don’t worry, you won’t need to duck or wear bullet-proof vests. The Military of Defense closes off the road through their range to the coast when they’re training and opens it back up again in the few hours after they finish.

To check whether the range is open, call Castlemartin Range on 01646 662367.

Of course, the arch and surrounding Elegug stacks may not look like this in the near future – the erosion of the limestone is ongoing, and there are fears that the arch will give way in the next few years and succumb to the sea. In fact, during Storm Ophelia, a large chunk of the Green Bridge came crashing down! So if this beautiful spot sounds appealing, now’s the time to visit!

How to visit this wonderful spot

The postcode for the Green Bridge of Wales is SA71 5EB.

The Green Bridge of Wales is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is a free activity for the whole family. Park up in the large car park and follow the sign on your right pointing you in the direction of the bridge. The path takes you on an easy  6- minute stroll over a nice, flat path towards the cliffs to the bridge. There’s also a lovely viewpoint with a platform to get the best view and the perfect picture of this wonderful spot.

If you’re interested in making this a day trip to visit St Govans Chapel and other nearby attractions, take a look at our blog exploring the jewels in the crown of South Pembrokeshire. Enjoy!

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5 reasons to holiday at Atlantic View in 2022

5 reasons

With the uncertainty around Covid starting to lift, along with restrictions, you might be thinking about a nice break away from your four walls this season. And what better place to take in the fresh air and a change of pace than Pembrokeshire, right? Well, we’d like to go one further – we think that Atlantic View is the best place to spend your holiday! With contemporary and cosy family accommodation with stunning views on the most gorgeous coastline, there’s so much to love about the cottages that we guarantee that you’ll be bringing your loved ones back here for years to come. Here are 5 reasons to holiday right here with us at Atlantic View.

  1. Pembrokeshire Coast Path

It’s 186 miles of some of the world’s best walking paths and attracts millions of visitors to its cairns and bridges, cliffs and bridleways. Located on the most westerly coast of Wales, within the only coastal national park in the UK, it’s known for shipwrecks, puffins, iron age forts, seals, Strumble head lighthouse, porpoise and an array of bright coastal flowers. It’s famous for the stunning vistas; the coast path is the jewel in Pembrokeshire’s crown. It rightly tops our Top 5 reasons to stay with us. And it’s right outside your door! 300 metres from Atlantic View’s front door, you can walk northward towards the stunning pebble surfing beach at Newgale, or south towards the beautiful fishing village of Little Haven – take a look at our favourite walks here.

2. Scenery

While we encourage you to get out into the wilds of West Wales and see all the incredible sights, you don’t need to leave your accommodation to see some of the most spectacular scenery in North Pembrokeshire. With glass balconies allowing for 190-degree views, or full sweeps from the Penthouse, you’re treated to the best of St Bride’s Bay from Atlantic View. Your view looks down over beautiful Broad Haven beach, and then your eye finds its way all the way across the southern flank of St Davids Head, with Ramsey island just overlapping beyond. Spot Green Scar and Black Scar, the craggy islands responsible for shipwrecks near the twinkling lights of Solva. Or just gaze out to sea, watching seabirds swoop overhead. We could list all the views that put this firmly in our top 5 reasons to stay here, but we’d rather you find out for yourselves!

3. Above the beach

We weren’t telling porkies when we said the views from Atlantic View take in the stunning stretch of golden sand below. We’re 300 metres from the beach! There’s a small hill to tackle, but it’s what allows us to be beachside AND have the incredible vistas. Broad Haven beach is a Blue Flag beach, meaning it adheres to the highest level of cleanliness and safety. It is flanked by cliffs full of rock pools and, when the tide is out, is a great expanse for making sandcastles! If you’re into watersports, then Haven Sports can take you surfing when the swell is good. Otherwise, just take the little ones for a paddle, knowing you can pop back to your home from home whenever you like to wash them down and grab some lunch before heading back to the beach. Bliss!

4. Skyscapes

Yes, the views are amazing, but have you seen the sunsets? No? Then it deserves its place in the top 5 reasons to stay at Atlantic View. Who doesn’t like a sunset over the sea? Being this far West means that they’re some of the most epic in the UK. And if that wasn’t enough, wait until the sun has gone down completely. This area of Wales is within a designated dark sky area. Due to its rural, coastal location, there is very little light pollution. So, if you’re a stargazer (and even if you’re not), we’re going to be bold and bet that you’ve never seen so many stars in your life..and maybe a UFO or two? And you can see all of this from the comfort of the sofa with a glass of something interesting in your warm accommodation.

5. We’re award-winning!

And if all the epic scenery, stunning skyscapes, bucolic beauty and coastal wonder if Pembrokeshire hasn’t sold it to you, then here’s the final of our 5 reasons to holiday with us this year: we’re award-winning! During the last two years, two of the most difficult for the tourism industry, we’ve scooped two awards. The first was the 2020 SME Enterprise Award for Best Self-Catered Holiday Cottages in Pembrokeshire, and the second was Best Luxury Holiday Cottages in Pembrokeshire and the LUXLife Hospitality Excellence Award 2021. Our four luxury properties come with high-quality amenities and all luxury and comfort for your break away. Every comfort has been thought of, from luxury bedding and Melin Tregwynt throws for a fantastic night’s sleep, to Myddfai toiletries for a touch of luxury after your coastal adventures.

Owners Dilwyn and Vel Williams say:

“We’ve worked hard to do the best for our customers to ensure they have the break they deserve.  Vel and I are looking forward to sharing our luxury holiday cottages and our stunning coastal location with many more guests in the future.”

See you soon!

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Top 4 Winter Experiences for your stay at Atlantic View

Wintertime in Pembrokeshire is phenomenal and we think that everyone should see it. From the incredible scenery to the spectacular weather. Sometimes there’s nothing better than cuddling up with your loved ones and watching a storm pass. The time of year means that Pembrokeshire is pretty empty, with all the summer tourists gone home you are free to explore wherever you want whenever you want. There are so many incredible winter experiences you need to have at Atlantic View this winter. 

Beach to yourself

One of our favourite winter experiences is walking along the beach and realising you have the whole beach to yourself. There is something amazing about having a whole beach to yourself. Wrap up warm and take a wander down to Broad Haven Beach. The beach is only a five-minute walk away so it’s the perfect place to go for a quick winter stroll. Alternatively, you could drive over to Newgale Beach which takes less than twenty minutes. Bring a flask of hot chocolate with you to warm up after you stroll across the empty beach!

No one on the coast path

Another fabulous winter experience is being able to wander the coast path for hours without seeing a single soul. As the Pembrokeshire coast path sits right on the doorstep it would be a shame not to use it. Head North on the coast path for a wander over to Newgale, take in the incredible moody skies and weather-beaten coast as you go. Head South over to Martins Haven for an 11-mile hike and if you are too tired to walk back you can catch the Puffin Shuttle bus.  

Hot chocolate 

We all love a delicious cup of hot chocolate and it tastes even better in a cosy pub or cafe when the weather is wild outside. It is the perfect warming winter experience! An amazing cosy spot for a cup of hot chocolate is ​​The Bishops in St Davids. It is a thirty-minute drive away from Atlantic View and has a few parking spaces around the back of the pub. The hot chocolates here are divine and the pubs ceiling is covered in fairy lights which make the room feel magical. If you’re lucky you might even get a table next to the wood-burning fire. 

Sunday lunch

There’s nothing better than taking a brisk stroll along the chilly beach before going to have a delicious Sunday roast. It is one of our favourite winter experiences for sure! Head over to The Galleon Inn for an amazing roast with the most spectacular views. It takes less than five minutes to walk from Atlantic View to The Galleon Inn! You are able to see the whole of the beautiful Broad Haven beach from inside the pub. Another wonderful place to go to for Sunday lunch is The Haven Brasserie, which is less than a 15-minute drive from Atlantic View. There are so many different options available including vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant overlooks the incredible Nolton Haven so you can enjoy your food with a spectacular view. 

With all of these incredible winter experiences in Pembrokeshire make sure you book your winter stay with us, it would be a shame to miss out. Take a look at our News page on our website and Facebook page for more ideas on what to do for your autumn holiday at Atlantic View. 

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Autumn Wildlife Watch From Atlantic View

Autumn Wildlife Watch

Pembrokeshire is home to some incredible wildlife that you have to see, and in Autumn, everything becomes just a little bit more magical. Autumn makes all of the leaves on the trees change from bright greens to warm browns, reds and oranges. This change in colour makes all the views seem completely different. There are so many things for you to spot on your Autumn wildlife watch from Atlantic View. 

What Wildlife Can Be Spotted in Autumn?

Your Autumn holiday at Atlantic View is the perfect time to go on an autumn wildlife watch adventure. There are so many incredible animals and flora and fauna to be found. Try your luck in spotting travelling sea birds, Atlantic Grey seals, dolphins, porpoise and so much more. 

Where Can You Spot Seals? 

During the autumn Atlantic Grey seals will come ashore to give birth to their brilliant white pups. They can be spotted in many different secluded coves and beaches across the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Take a walk along the coast path and keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you might find. 

Take your binoculars and cameras with you to help you get a good look and capture the moment on your autumn wildlife watch. When watching the seals make sure you don’t get too close. If a mother seal sees you getting close to her pup she will abandon it. 

Where Can You Spot Porpoise? 

Porpoises can be spotted just off the coast of Pembrokeshire all year round. One of the best ways to spot porpoises is from the sea. So why not book a boat trip with Falcon Boats to kick off your autumn wildlife watch, it is just a thirty-minute drive from Atlantic View. The boat trip will also help you spot puffins, shearwaters, dolphins, whales, seals, jellyfish, and much more!

Where Can You Spot Dolphins?

Just like porpoises, dolphins can be spotted all year round but are easiest to spot during the months of June to October. They can be spotted when walking around the Pembrokeshire Coast Path but again are easier to spot out at sea. Take a Dolphin and Whale Voyage with Voyages Of Discovery for your best chance to spot any dolphins. Dolphins are something you just have to see on your autumn wildlife watch. 

Can You Spot sea birds?

Another fun thing to look out for on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is sea birds. When you go out onto the Pembrokeshire Coast Path make sure you take your binoculars with you to help you get a closer look at the seabirds. There are many seabirds you can spot on the coast such as gannets, peregrine falcons, choughs, shearwaters, ravens, guillemots, razorbills and much more. 

What else can you spot? 

Still looking to see more incredible animals? You’re in the right place! Every year Pembrokeshire is lucky enough to attract incredible creatures. This includes orcas, blue whales, blue sharks, basking sharks, turtles, various colourful jellyfish and Risso’s dolphins. 

 

With all of this incredible wildlife to spot this autumn, it would be a shame to miss out. Make sure you book your Autumn stay with us to go on an autumn wildlife watch of your own. Take a look at our News page on our website and Facebook page for more ideas on what to do for your autumn holiday at Atlantic View. 

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