Saundersfoot is a busy fishing village located in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
This large, south-east facing expanse of golden sand is one of the most popular stretches of coastline in Pembrokeshire and the UK. The town itself began as a few medieval cottages that could be found in a forest clearing in Coedrath, a hunting ground of the Normal Earls of Pembroke. Five Hundred years later and the town thrived as a coat port, exporting around 30,000 tons of anthracite coal every year.
When the coal industry vanished, the town transformed again into the seaside resort that we know today. The harbour at the south end of the beach, which was used to export coal, is nowadays bustling with families and holidaymakers, who descend on the area for its many seaside attractions.
Top-quality tourist attractions
Thanks to the high-quality restaurants and cafes, Saundersfoot is
enjoying an increasing reputation as a gourmet resort. Its
locally-produced food not only tastes fantastic, but also reduces
greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint, while there are a great
assortment of local shops and businesses that are easily accessible
from the seafront. The town has a good selection of accommodation
to cater for a variety of budgets and tastes - from luxury cottages
and hotels to youth hostels, camping and caravanning sites
A stroll around the harbour makes a pleasant alternative to lazing on the beach, there is a beautiful walk from the beach around to Wiseman's bridge through a cliff tunnel, which is wheelchair friendly. A walks pack, detailing six walks around Saundersfoot is available from the Tourist Information Office.
Green Sea funding is being used to refurbish the public toilet block in Saundersfoot Harbour with the addition of a secure locker and shower facilities. The improvements will provide a modern high quality facility for harbour users and visitors alike giving everyone the best possible experience of Saundersfoot.
Enjoy a boat trip out of the Harbour for fishing trips, coastal trips and seal watching
The " Miner's Walk" ( a detailed leaflet and map are available from the Tourist Information Centre in the Barbecue Building on the harbour) follows the route of the old steam trains from the local collieries to the harbour. The full walk is 10.6miles, but there is a shorter alternative of half this distance. It is hoped that future visitors and residents alike, will be able to explore the old tramways and experience what was "everyday" in the 1800s
The Saundersfoot Yacht Club on the harbour offers a range of water activities, which include dinghy and cruiser sailing, motor boating and kayaking, and runs a Royal Yachting Association accredited sailing school, which introduces both children and adults to sailing and offers a wide range of courses to suit all abilities. Why not take a new adventure ...
Saundersfoot is on the Celtic Trail, a long distance cycle touring route that leads to Fishguard. Saundersfoot, with its wide range of accommodation, is also an ideal starting point for cyclists with several routes spanning out from the village both along the stunning coast and inland. At 34 miles, Mills and Mining runs between Saundersfoot and Blackpool Mill. The first section through Canaston Woods is off road and steeped in coal mining history; the tramway route and stone and brick pumping house are all that remain today at Reynalton. Also on the route is Blackpool Mill, which dates back to 1813 and is one of the best examples of a corn grist mill in Britain. A shorter ride at 21 miles, Carew heads inland from Saundersfoot through rolling countryside to Carew Castle dramatically located on the edge of a millpond while the 16 mile Heritage and Gardens ride leads to Tavernspite. The first section hugs the coastline using the old narrow gauge railway tunnels cut through cliffs and on via a wooded valley to the craft village of Stepaside; the ride also passes the eight-acre National Trust garden of Colby Woodland which houses one of the finest rhododendron and azalea collections in Wales. Sand, Castles and Palaces, 25 miles, runs from Saundersfoot, through the Victorian spa town of Tenby with its Blue Flag beaches, past the medieval castle at Manorbier and onto Lamphey where visitors can see the remains of the 13th century Bishops Palace. And finally Castles, Palaces and Chapels (21 miles) starts from the walled town of Pembroke with its 13th century Norman castle and leads through Lamphey to Stackpole. The ride can be extended through Bosherston to St Govan's Chapel; a tiny hermit's cell built into the cliff and also takes in the only section of the 186-mile long Pembrokeshire Coast Path open to cyclists.
With so many lovely venues to choose from you could leave the picnic at home and treat yourselves but if you can't resist them there's plenty of places perfect for picnicking and plenty of delicious food to take!