Polly's Barn

Activities

There are so many things to do in North Pembrokeshire it's hard to know where to start! Newport provides an excellent jumping off point for both the rugged coast and and the wilds of the Preseli Hills. It's got the best of both worlds! There are a whole range of activities available to suit everyone's interests.

Our favourites:

  • Hike to the top of Carningli from Polly's Barn with a picnic or flask of hot chocolate to enjoy whilst taking in the view over Newport and up the coast to North Wales and down the coast to St Davids.
  • Walk out to Newport Sands along the estuary path and stop off for a Welsh ice cream at Café Mawr or return for a pint by the fire at The Golden Lion.
  • Float down the 'lazy river' from the Parrog to Cwm and jump off the rocks at low tide.
  • Go coasteering! You can't beat it as a way of experiencing this wonderful coast.
  • Boost your mood with 'contrast bath therapy' by alternating between the Wildwater Sauna and the sea.

Water sports

There are a whole host of adventure companies providing safe, well organised group activities. Cardigan Bay Active based in Moylegrove and Cardigan, offer coasteering, white water rafting and tubing, canoeing, climbing, sea kayaking, surfing and stand up paddle boarding (SUP). Kayak King based in Lower Town, Fishguard, offer kayak tours exploring the dramatic cliffs and coves in the area with local experts on marine flora and fauna. 

Preseli Venture, based near Mathry, offer coasteering, surfing, canoeing, sea kayaking, coastal explorer days, rockpool safaris, boat trips, SUP boarding and climbing. Celtic Quest Coasteering, based at Abereiddy, offer coasteering in and around the famous Blue Lagoon. Other companies around St Davies include: Be Adventurous; The Real Adventure Company and TYF Adventure.

Walking

Polly's Barn is located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the area offers great opportunities for walking from the front door. 

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows 186 miles of breathtaking scenery accessed by a 20-30 minute walk down the hill and the Preseli Hills, a wild expanse of moorland, heath and grassland, rise to 536 metres behind. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have created a large selection of walks, ranging from a one hour stroll to an invigorating 9 miles (15km) cross-country hike, which you can find here: Walking in the park. Also listed are a selection of short walks, gentle strolls, and wheelchair and easy access walks. You can filter the walks on this site by distance, duration, location and type. 

Walking Pembrokeshire have created a series of walks geared to all levels of fitness taking in a number of  locations of interest across Pembrokeshire.

Wild swimming

Newport Sands, known locally as Treath Mawr (Big Beach), a Blue Flag sandy beach backed by dunes, lies on the other side of the River Nevern estuary from the town. There is a guarded safe section of the beach during the summer months, designated for bathers. On the town side, the sea can be accessed from the Parrog and two tiny pebble coves, Bettws and the Cwm, further down coast path. Cwm is particularly popular with locals who jump and dive off the rocks there at low tide into the deep channel where the river turns the corner into the sea. The estuary also offers great opportunities for swimming but needs to be treated with caution as, at mid tide, the rapidly-incoming or rapidly outgoing tides can be dangerous. As long as you are aware of the tides and your capability as a swimmer you can have a lot of fun on the 'lazy river', either floating downstream from The Parrog to Cwm on the outgoing tide or vice versa on the incoming tide. Further afield, a couple of top spots to swim are Cwm yr Eglwys near Dinas and Pwll Y Wrach (Witches' Cauldron) at Ceibwr Bay.

Wildwater Sauna

The Wildwater Sauna is a mobile sauna that moves around the beaches and coves of Pembrokeshire, describes itself as a Nordic tradition with a Celtic twist. "We share the same vision of making this mystical coastline more accessible to our community and its visitors. Sustainability, combined with the spirit of adventure, health and wellness are the foundation principles of our vision." say it's owners. Find out where the sauna is on their website and book either a communal session for £15 per person or a private session for £85. If you are here at full moon join the Full Moon Sauna Experience which includes meditation and aromatherapy.

Alternate between the sauna and the sea for "contrast bath therapy" which is a great boost to your mood as well as your circulation.

Cycling

North Pembrokeshire is perfect for exploring by bike. Cycle Pembrokeshire have created 20 routes of all lengths and difficulty, the nearest of which run through the foothills and hinterland of the Preseli Hills or along the lost in time lanes of the Gwaun Valley. 

The e-bike tours with Hidden Routes in Newport are a thrilling way to discover the ancient landscape of rural North Pembrokeshire following open mountain and deep forest trails lead by people who know the land like the back of their hand. You can also hire their e-bikes if you want to go off on your own. Carningli Bike Hire also in Newport offer traditional bike hire and guided tours and maps.

Horse Riding

Crosswell Riding Stables about a 10 minute drive away offer riding lessons and treks from 1/2 hour to a full day’s ride following a variety of routes which take in the Preseli hills, ancient bridleways and Ty Canol woodlands. Havard Stables, located just out Newport on the road to Dinas, is nestled at the foot of the Preseli Hills and offer superb treks along the greenlanes and moorland paths of the common land of the Preselis.

If you are an experienced rider and want a beach ride, head to Marros Riding Centre. It's a bit further away, around an hour's drive, but worth it for the gallop in the surf at the stunning Pendine Sands.

Golf

Golfers of all standards are very welcome at Newport Sands Links Golf Club, and you don’t need to be a member to make the most of their beautiful and challenging 18 hole championship links golf course with uninterrupted views of Newport Bay from every hole.

Situated just 5 minutes drive from the town centre Newport Links Golf Club offers an outstanding 95 year old links course sitting alongside the beautiful Nevern estuary. After hosting events such as the Welsh Ladies Seniors Open in September 2014 the golf course was elevated to championship status. The course itself may be just over 6000 yards but with small greens, undulating fairways and that seaside breeze, accuracy is essential. Their signature hole, the par 3 fifteenth, which is played over sand dunes onto a postage stamp elevated green, has been voted as one of the toughest holes in Britain. 

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