Where else can you ride horse back around a Cathedral city?

Gypsy Vanner horses are renowned for their powerful strength and gentle willing nature. This has been recognised by the owners of Penlan Farm who have 200 breeding animals on their coastal farm. They also own and run St Davids Trekking and have opened up some of their 194 acres offering a unique opportunity to explore this exceptional landscape.

Experienced guides accompany small groups on treks of 1 -2 hours. Tours include the beautiful

St Davids Peninsula, a medieval castle, the Bishops Palace and St Davids Cathedral. Pembrokeshire wild flowers abound as does the wildlife such as buzzards and badgers.

Beginners and experienced riders of 11 years and older are all welcome. (Hopefully younger riders will be catered for in the near future)

Carew Castle, Tidal Mill and Celtic Cross

Carew Castle (http://www.carewcastle.com/) started life as a Norman fortification and ended up as an Elizabethan country house. It overlooks a 23 acre mill pond spanned by a medieval bridge and a restored tidal mill. An 11th C Celtic cross stands on the site. There is a picnic spot opposite and the family friendly Carew Inn just over the road.

A ticket to the castle (less than £4) includes entry to the tidal mill. Laminated information sheets can be borrowed and will guide you around each impressive building. Additional information boards are located around the castle. Children are very well catered for with quiz sheets to complete on route.

The walk from the castle to the mill across the medieval bridge and back to the car park is about a mile - making this an easy and very pleasant morning or afternoons entertainment.

A Day Out to Ramsey Island Pembrokeshire (July 2009)

Angelo and Cathy

A Day Out to Skomer Island Pembrokeshire (July 2009)

Angelo and Cathy

A walk around Marloes Peninsula including Deer Park

An easy 5 mile walk with spectacular coastal views, dramatic rock formations, very few people, the odd rabbit, birds and some wild ponies.

Park in the Marloes Sands car park (National Trust £4) and pick up a map (included in the parking fee).

The route takes you through the site of an iron age fort but there is little evidence to see. Look out for Gateholm, Skokholm, Skomer, Midland and Grassholm Islands. Grassholm is white with gannets in the summer.

The little cottage which marks the fork in the path to Deer Park will surely leave you fantasizing about living in such an isolated and wildly beautiful location. Do summon the courage to gaze down into the treacherous waters of Jack Sound and across to St Bride's Bay. Clamber up to the Coastguards Hut to enjoy panoramic views of this glorious rugged coastline. If you happen to have an apple in your pocket you may be able to make a friend of one of the otherwise shy wild ponies roaming around the grass land.

The little stony cove of Martin's Haven is the embarkation point for boat trips out to Skomer, from here the path is sandwiched between St Bride's Bay and West Hook Farm. The final part of the walk takes you across three fields and then a short distance along flower filled lanes back to the car park.

Marloes village is very close by where you can take rest and refreshment in the Lobster Pot pub or the award winning Clockhouse Cafe/Bar. If you have enough energy left Marloes Sands is another scramble across a couple of fields and down to the shore but well worth a visit. The sweep of golden sand framed by jagged rocks and clear sea will invigorate you.

Anne I

Laugharne

A pretty village nestled alongside the sandy shores of the Taf estuary. Laugharne was founded by Flemish weavers and dyers in the 17th C having been granted the land after their own homes were lost in the great floods of that time. Later it developed into an important cockling centre. There is an eclectic mix of old cottages, terraces and elegant Georgian houses.
The picturesque 13th C castle was turned into a Tudor mansion in the 16th C. It overlooks the village and the foreshore. An ideal spot for a picnic.

A path beside the estuary and a flight of steps lead first to Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed, a glance inside will convince you that Dylan has just popped out, then to the Boathouse, his home for several years before he died. The parlour remains as the family left it. There is a gallery, an audio visual display, books for sale and a tea shop.

Continue along the same path for a lovely wooded walk An information board in the village garden will advise you on other pleasant places to stroll. Do look out for herons and other water loving birds.

There is a good choice of places to eat and drink including Dylan Thomas' favourite, Browns also some little shops, a glass studio and a pottery. Take care the car park floods on high tide.
Anne I

Dale

What a lovely day to be in Dale. The sun was shining - warm even. There was a palpable feeling of relaxation and holiday energy. It was buzzing. The Griffin Inn (listed in several editions of the Good Beer Guide) was full to overflowing. Most choosing like us, to take their drinks out to the harbour wall from where we could watch the comings and goings. Many were eating local favourites such as crab sandwiches and freshly caught mackeral.

Dinghies were being launched, others pulled ashore, windsurfers too. The jetty was full with moored boats in different states of preparation for going to sea or coming home. The Broadside Charter Boat bobbed up and down invitingly awaiting its party of summer fishermen.

Children were eating ice creams and playing happily on the safe, sandy, shingly beach. Older people chose the wooden benches on the grassy bank above the beach. Walkers were arriving from several directions. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path passes through the village and around the Dale Peninsula.

For more spectacular coastal views either drive or walk up the lane beside Dale Castle to the little known World War II aerodrome on the cliff top. Parking is easy. The vistas are spectacular.

Dale beach looks out over the Milford Haven Waterway. There is another sunny, sandy beach at West Dale a short walk away. It is well worth a visit for the views out to sea and of Skolkholm Island. It is an ideal place for sun worshippers but strong currents make it unsafe for bathing.

Dale has a watersports hire shop, cafe, shop/post office, car park, pub serving good beer and food and a yacht club. The village hall hosts a number of craft fairs and art exhibitions throughout the year. Anne I