Aberfforest Beach

Hidden away along the North Pembrokeshire coastline between Cwm Yr Eglwys and Newport, you will find Aberfforest Beach. This sandy-shingle beach is backed by the tiny hamlet of Aberfforest with only a handful of holiday cottages creating a mostly private seaside experience for all who visit.

Despite being only two miles from the popular boutique town of Newport and the rural village of Dinas, it is safe to say this is one of Pembrokeshire’s lesser travelled beaches. Arguably Aberfforest Beach could even be classed as one of Pembrokeshire’s hidden beaches, as even many who live in Pembrokeshire have never heard of this beach let alone visited it.

Pay a visit to this north-facing cove and you’re likely to share it with only a couple of others at most; likely those who are holidaying in the homes behind the bay or walkers passing by on their journeys along the Coast Path. Enjoy boating, bathing, wildlife spotting and walking to name but a few activities which will keep you occupied here.

Activities

Despite being somewhat off the beaten path, Aberfforest Beach is a fantastic spot for a number of seaside activities. The shoreline is flanked on either side by high cliffsides, creating an often calm stretch of waters ideal for swimmers and bathers. Stone skimming is also a great leisurely pastime to indulge in here, as there will be no disruption from other beachgoers.

The sheltered setting here allows for easy boat launching although do bear in mind that this bay is petite, so smaller boats are more suited. Kayakers and canoeists can depart from here to explore the impressive cliffsides along this region taking incredible views as you’ve never seen before. Larger rowing boats and small sailing boats are also sometimes seen launching from here, make your way around the headline towards the harbour at Newport where you can stop off for a bite of lunch before returning.

When you’re off on your paddles through these Welsh waters, keep an eye out for the resident wildlife here. Cardigan Bay is a top haunt for dolphins whilst the small inlets along the Pembrokeshire Coast are favourites for Atlantic grey seals, particularly during the pupping season in September when the fluffy young spend their first days onshore before they learn to swim. Dinas Island and the surrounding high cliffs here are inhabited by several seabirds including chough, razorbills and fulmars to name but a few.

As the beach here is largely shingle, you may prefer to venture to the vast sandy spaces at the likes of Newport Sands for sandcastle building and beach games. That said, if you’re planning a few hours of rock pooling with the children, this is the place to be. Tiny hands can delve into the small pools of water created by the receding tide to discover a new world of starfish, sea anemones and perhaps even a small crab or two.

As mentioned above, many of the visitors to Aberfforest Beach are ramblers who are walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which is easily accessible from this location. Walk north through Newport and onto Moylegrove to visit The Witches Cauldron cave or venture west for Dinas Island, Fishguard and onto Strumble Head to see the lighthouse. You’ll also want to venture into the woodland behind the bay here as you’ll uncover a wonderful waterfall, possibly one of the best in Pembrokeshire.

If you’re a creative type in search of inspiration, this Pembrokeshire beach is a fantastic spot. Being so off the beaten path, a peaceful setting is almost guaranteed so bring along your camera and practise your photography or pack your sketchbook and brush for a spot of evening painting. What a wonderful way to wind down after a jam-packed day exploring.

Facilities

Like many of the more secluded beaches in Pembrokeshire, facilities at Aberfforest Beach are somewhat lacking, unless you are staying in one of the houses behind that is. There is pretty much no public parking hence the reason why most choose other nearby beaches to visit. However, you can park at the layby by the main road and follow the footpath down to the shore but it is roughly a ten-minute walk.

Otherwise, the nearest place for facilities is at either Dinas or Newport, Newport is the larger of the two with more to offer. Both have well-stocked convenience stores offering daily newspapers and groceries plus places to eat. In Dinas, there is The Ship Aground pub on the main road along with a fish and chip takeaway. In Newport, there are a plethora of places to eat including Castle Inn and The Golden Lion pubs on the main street, Blas Restaurant and The Canteen pizzeria.

Newport has a selection of independent shops, art galleries, a visitor information centre and even a bike hire centre within the town as well as the Newport Links Golf Course located at Newport Sands Beach.

Local Top Tips

With a lack of facilities here, bringing along a packed lunch or some refreshments is recommended, particularly if you’re planning to visit on a hot sunny day when water is needed. The waterfall is definitely one of the best in Pembrokeshire so to spend the day at Aberfforest Beach and not pop by to catch sight of this idyllic scene would be almost criminal. 

Access

Access is relatively straightforward though somewhat limited in ways. Easily accessible via the coast path from either Cwm Yr Eglwys or Newport, walkers can enjoy a trek along the scenic coastal path to venture directly to Aberfforest Beach. As with many stretch of the Coast Path, the trail may be narrow and hilly in areas.

To access via the main road from Newport, keep an eye out on your right for a wide opening flanked by a large rock on one side and a wooden fence on the other. There are signs for Aberfforest on either side of the opening but if you get as far as the signpost for Cwm Yr Eglwys, you’ve gone too far.

From here then, it is recommended you park on the right-hand side where you will notice a space for parking. You will then have to make the rest of the journey by foot, walking along the concrete footpath down through farmland and past some houses. Follow the sign to the right for the beach or keep going straight ahead towards the houses; once you reach the houses on your right, you’ll spy a footpath sign straight ahead. Following this sign will take you straight to the waterfall and to the beach beyond.

For the most part, the footpath is fairly level although it can be pot-holey in parts and there is a sharp steep corner at one stage. Note this track is for private use only by the residents and holidaymakers staying in these houses.

Is Aberfforest Beach Dog Friendly?

Aberfforest Beach is dog friendly all year round. Be aware though, there may be wildlife, farmstock and horses in the area so it is probably best to keep your canine on a lead until you are safely away from them at the beach.

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