Bolton Hill House, Old Hakin Road, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom SA62 3EW Tel 01437 891459 staying@boltonhillhouse.co.uk

Holiday in Pembrokeshire Five best walks in Pembrokeshire 1. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: this is the classic walking trail in Pembrokeshire. The coastline remains unspoilt with most of it lying within the protection of the Pembrokeshire National Park. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path stretches 186 miles around the coast from St Dogmaels in the North to Amroth in the South. The nearest part of the coast path to The Old School is at Broad Haven, about fifteen minutes drive away, where you can enjoy sweeping views of St Brides Bay. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority provides details on their website of 200 circular walks in the park. Bus routes along the coast avoid you having to double-back along the path. 2. Preseli Hills: for hill walking inland head for the Preseli Hills. The hills are in the north-east of the county and again are within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. 3. Gwaun Valley: a lush valley in the north of the county offers an alternative to the open countryside of the coast path and the Preseli Hills. 4. Guided walks: throughout the summer the National Park Rangers offer guided walks around the county. The guides are highly knowledgeable and can point out interesting plants or geography most of us would have walked past none the wiser. A calender of walks is published in the Coast to Coast magazine or on the Park Authority’s website. 5. National Cycle Network: the benefit of walking along the National Cycle Network is that part of it runs straight past The Old School. This off-road well maintained path takes you to Haverfordwest in one direction or to Neyland in the other. Five best activities in Pembrokeshire 1. Take a boat ride: there are plenty of local companies offering boat trips around the coast and to visit the surrounding islands of Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Caldey and Grassholm. You may even see dolphins and seals. www.thousandislands.co.uk www.ramseyisland.co.uk www.venturejet.co.uk 2. Coastering: a bizarre sounding activity involving scrambling, swimming and cliff jumping around the coast. If getting wet and cliff jumping sound fun, Pembrokeshire is a great place to do it. www.tyf.com 3. Horse riding: ride through the surf of Pembrokeshire’s stunning beaches. Nolton Stables 4. Kayaking & canoeing: plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sea up close with companies offering kayaking and canoeing training and equipment. www.tyf.com 5. Surfing: and of course there's plenty of opportunity to surf in Pembrokeshire. www.tyf.com Five best beaches in Pembrokeshire 1. Broad Haven South and Barafundle: two beautiful beaches for the price of one. These beaches are only accessed by foot which keeps it secluded from the road and away from the noise of traffic. The beaches are on the south coast of the county, National Trust Car Parks at both sites. A little further up the coast from Broad Haven South is St Govans Chapel, a tiny chapel built into the side of the cliff. The Chapel now lies within the Ministry of Defence firing range so can you can only visit it on certain days, so do take advantage of visiting it if it is open on a day you are close by. If you park at Bosherston your walk to Broad Haven South takes you round the edge of a series of lily ponds, remnants of the 19th century Stackpole Estate. The lilies are normally in bloom May to June. 2. Marloes: this is the closest of the quieter, more remote beaches to The Old School, about twenty to thirty minutes drive away. There is a National Park Car Park at the top of the cliff, with about a ten minute walk down to the beach. Rock formations protruding from the sand at intervals give a sense of privacy and isolation even on popular days. 3. Whitesands: a popular a beach just north of St Davids. There is a car park right next to the beach making access easy for families with young children. 4. Freshwater East: a windswept beach backed by sand dunes in the south of the county. Popular for surfing. 5. Newgale: a vast beach at the centre of St Brides Bay offering uninterrupted walking along the sand. It takes about an hour to walk the length of the beach, perfect for walking off a Sunday roast lunch. Five best Castles and Cathedrals in Pembrokeshire 1. Carew Castle: a stunning castle set next to an old mill and mill pond. Both the castle and mill are open to visitors and run a programme of activities particularly for children throughout the summer. 2. Pembroke Castle: centrally located in Pembroke town, the castle was the birthplace of Henry Tudor and definately worth a visit on a holiday in Pembrokeshire. The castle, often hosts outdoor Shakespeare plays and other events during the summer. 3. Manorbier Castle: set next to a remote sandy beach this castle lives up to its reputation as the pleasantest spot in Wales as named by Gerald of Wales who was born in the castle. 4. Picton Castle: an exception to the normal ruins of castles in Pembrokeshire, Picton Castle, just outside Haverfordwest, was until recently an inhabitated grand country house. It is open to visitors daily who can enjoy a tour of the house and the famous gardens. It also boasts a restauraunt in the courtyard and a gallery with a particular focus on Graham Sutherland's work. 5. St Davids Cathedral & Bishops Palace: a definite on any holiday to Pembrokeshire is a visit to this beautiful Cathedral. The Bishops Palace next door is maintained by Cadw for which a small entrance fee is charged. Five best cultural evenings in Pembrokeshire 1. St Davids Cathedral hosts many concerts throughout the year but particularly during its festival which is normally late May/early June. 2. The Fishguard International Music Festival is normally held in the first week in July. 3. The Queens Hall in Narbeth hosts a variety of live bands, plays and comedy nights throughout the year. 4. The Palace Cinema in Haverfordwest is an independently run cinema about ten minutes drive from The Old School. 5. Outdoor Shakespeare: in the summer Shakespeare plays are often performed in the ruins of castles and the Bishop's Palace in St Davids. You can normally find details in the Coast to Coast magazine. Five best places to eat out in Pembrokeshire 1. Cnapan: in Newport, in the north of the county offers home cooked, locally sourced lunches and dinners with the option of eating outdoors in the garden. 2. Tides: located just south of Fishguard and just a mile or so from the north Pembrokeshire coast this restauraunt sits in a peaceful setting beside an old farmhouse, very much getting away from it all. Open for lunch and dinner most of the year and for morning coffee during the summer but check the website for details. 3. Georges Inn: good food in the centre of Haverfordwest. Open for coffee and lunch Monday - Saturday and dinner on Saturday evenings. 4. Colby Woodland Garden: this National Trust garden near Narbeth offers a lovely spot for lunch at the Bothy Tearoom served inside or outside in a quiet courtyard. 5. The Bench: a lovely Italian style restauraunt in the centre of St Davids serving wonderful lunches and dinners and homemade ice-cream. Five of the best Pubs in Pembrokeshire 1. Jolly Sailor: pub set on the river Cleddau just below the Toll Bridge. Quiet setting, traditional real ale and good food. 01646 600 378. 2. Masons Arms: on the Dale Road, about 30 minutes stroll along country roads from The Old School. A quiet pub serving good food, children eat free on Mondays. 01437 760815. 3. Cambrian Inn: good food in this traditional establishment in the pretty harbour village of Solva. 01437 721210. 4. Cresselly Arms: a great setting alongside the River Cleddau at Cresswell Quay for this traditional country pub. 01646 651202. 5. Ferry Inn, Llanstadwell: another riverside setting for this pub near Neyland. 01646 600270. Five of the best days out for families in Pembrokeshire 1. Oakwood: the largest theme park in Pembrokeshire with lots of rides set in a surprisingly idyllic woodland setting. 2. Folly Farm: plenty of opportunity to get close to the animals at this farm based day out. 3. Scolton Manor: this former country house offers a very economical family day out. The house is open as a museum with 60 acres of parkland surrounding. 4. Castell Henllys: this reconstructed iron age fort offers guided walks, demonstrations and storytelling and other activities throughout the summer. Situated in the north of the county between Cardigan and Newport. 5. Heatherton: lots of activities for all ages such as archery, horse riding, karting and paint balling. Near Tenby in the south of the county.