The Old Boathouse, Trefin

Pembrokeshire Coast. Sleeps up to 8

Trefin, The Mill Cafe and Aberfelin This lovely house is in the village of Trefin - a sleepy backwater and perfect for a restful holiday break. Walk from the house to the pub, the Ship Inn, which welcomes families and serves meals of freshly caught and locally sourced produce. A little further down the main street is the popular Mill Café, great for breakfasts, lunch and tea - and with a display of local art and crafts. A short walk down the lane from the village brings you to the little shingle and sand cove of Aberfelin where the ruins of Melin Trefin are tucked in above the beach. The Coastal Path The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (now part of the All Wales Path) runs for 168 miles from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. Join the path at Aberfelin, the walk to the south is lovely and it is about 2.5 miles round the bay to the village of Porthgain. To the north it runs towards Abercastle and Strumble Head. The cliffs are dramatic and the scenery captivating at all times of year – but in the spring the flowers and birds put on a truly spectacular performance! Strumble Head in the distance is dramatic and moody, changing the atmosphere as the light and clouds pass. Porthgain Porthgain, a picturesque harbour village just along the coast from Trefin, is reached (by road) down a steep hill into the old fishing harbour with its imposing industrial archaeology harking back to harsh years of quarrying and sea trade – now a conservation area. The village is well-served for eateries with the Sloop Inn and the Shed Bistro – both with views out over the little harbour, Youthful visitors can play on the village green while their families browse in the Harbour Lights Gallery and Alun Davies Gallery. The Strumble Shuttle From Trefin village you can catch the Strumble Shuttle, the local bus service, along the coast in either direction. Reduce your carbon footprint, relax and leave the car - the bus stops by request and you can walk out and bus back or the other way round. Abercastle Cove and Carreg Sampson Next along the coast to the north is the pretty sheltered cove at Abercastle. Dotted with fishing and pleasure boats and overlooked by little former fishermen’s cottages, it is a popular spot for launching small craft and playing on the water. The Coastal path north towards Abercastle will take you past the cromlech of Carreg Samson. This remarkable prehistoric structure defies understanding – the huge capstone resting (seemingly) precariously on the lower stones. It is unimaginable how it ever got there!Woollen Mills – Tregwynt and Solva With valleys cut through by streams around the county, there are numerous ancient mills - now ruined - scattered round the coast. Two have survived and are flourishing. Just up the coast from Trefin is the Woollen Mill at Melin Tregwynt. Internationally renowned and popular with locals too, it produces lovely locally designed and woven blankets and woollen goods. Up the valley from Solva on the other side of the peninsula is the Solva Woollen Mill - the oldest working mill in Pembrokeshire. With an accent on woollen floor coverings – rugs and carpets – it also sells a range of quality craft goods and boasts among its customers the Prince of Wales. The Peninsula Beaches - Abermawr and Aberbach From Trefin, the nearest accessible beach to the south is Traeth Llyfyn. Approached from the coastal path – an easy walk from Porthgain – there is a long metal staircase down to the sandy beach (check that the tide is out) – it is well worth the walk! To the north look for Abermawr and Aberbach. Both backed by a shingle bank, Abermawr is sandy at low tide and a lovely place to play or walk the dog. To the rear of the beach is a wooded valley – a carpet of blue in May when the bluebells are out and a great place for children to play while the grown-ups stroll. Down the coast, near to St Davids is Whitesands - a wide sandy 'Blue Flag' beach and a stunning location. With lifeguard cover in the summer and surf hire and surfing lessons available at the beach, it is popular with surfers as well as for swimming and watersports of all sorts. Fishguard Town and Pretty Lower Town Harbour The nearest town to Trefin is the town and port of Fishguard. You can buy great local produce from the weekly farmers market in the town hall and check out the individual shops, restaurants and pubs in this ‘up and coming’ little town. The ‘Last Invasion Tapestry’ which was sewn by local needlewomen is displayed in the Town Hall and illustrates the story of the ‘Last Invasion of Britain’ in 1797 in which Fishguard was the target. In Lower Town, wander amongst the boats or walk out along the quayside to the sailing club. At low tide there is a little beach beyond the harbour wall in this pretty, unspoiled coastal harbour. St Davids Cathedral, City and Whitesands Bay St Davids City (really a small village) is certainly worth a visit. Just 8 miles distant, there are useful shops - a well-stocked supermarket, butchers, greengrocers, post office, ice cream and chocolate shop and two banks – as well as galleries and shops for clothes, gifts and outdoor gear. It is a delightful place to while away your holiday! There is an outdoor farmers' market on the Cross Square on Thursdays throughout the summer with all sorts of local produce and tasty morsels. In the valley below the town is the lovely medieval Cathedral. Dating back to 1181, it is both a church and a historic building. Have coffee or a meal in the remarkable refectory - a modern insert in the 14th century St Mary's Hall. Across the tiny river Alun is the ruined Bishops' Palace with its decorated stonework, wheel window, halls and stairways. Restored sufficiently to fire the imagination of young and old. Pembrokeshire Family Days out If you are looking for activity – for children or adults – centres which will guide you through a new sport can be found in TYF Adventures, Preseli Venture or Sealyham Activity Centre. Hire a bike or a kayak or try out coasteering – there is scope for all sorts of thrilling water and land based sports. At the Creative Cafe in Haverfordwest or Narberth you can paint your own pottery - or make mosaics with Maddy Jane at Treffynnon (maddiejanes@netscape. net) - just let your imagination take over! If you take a trip to the south of the county you can visit Oakwood Theme Park, Heatherton, Folly Farm Zoo, Manor Wildlife Park or Scolton Manor Museum and Country Park. Whatever your preference and whatever the weather - there is certainly a lot to choose from. Priskilly Forest Golf Club This family-owned 9-hole course is a gem, nestling amongst mature oaks, sycamores and rhododendrons and with panoramic views of the coast and country from Strumble Head to the Preseli Mountains. The course is open all year to visitors of all abilities and tuition is available - so why not learn to play? All your golfing requirements - for purchase or hire – are available at the golf shop. While you play, your family can enjoy the woodland walk and try the delicious food in " Y Cabin" Bar/Bistro. Days awayTake a drive north into the ancient town of Cardigan with a market, castle and shops. Discover the dolphin rich Cardigan Bay coast, the meandering Teifi Valley and county of Ceredigion. Visit the seaside towns of Aberaeron and New Quay for excellent places to eat, beaches, shopping and festivals. Discover the National Trust run Welsh gentry estate of Llanerchaeron with house designed by John Nash, a home farm and beautiful walks. Visit Cenarth where the river runs through the village and salmon leap. Take a stroll beside the river, visit the Coracle Museum and eat in one of the convivial village inns. Explore mighty Cilgerran Castle perched high above Teifi Gorge and enjoy traditonal afternoon tea in Flambards in the riverside village of Llechryd. The Welsh Wildlife Centre in Cilgerrran is not to be missed. Hire a canoe from Heritage Canoes and explore the Teifi river from the wildlife centre all the way back to Cardigan. Enjoy a break away with family and friends in this newly built, well-equipped and comfortable house full of comfort and character, for holidays in the Pembrokeshire village of Trefin.

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