It is the final day of our stay at Woodstock CL and Lynnie thinks her back is up to a reasonable stroll. After hearing about my route around Tenby a few days ago she is keen to do that walk with a few slight variations. The last couple of days have been rather damp but today it looks like we are in for a dry walk.
The starting point is the North Beach Car Park on the edge of town. From here we head up to the road overlooking North Beach and turn left to follow the dead end road that becomes the Coast Path towards Waterwynch.
At a junction in the path we turn right down to Waterwynch cove. The tide is out on this stunning little beach. I admire the views whilst Lynnie busies herself looking at the crustaceans on the rocks.
This is a pleasant spot to while away some time.
From the beach we walk back past Waterwynch House briefly rejoining the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, but leave this within a couple of hundred yards to continue up the tarmac lane towards the A478. At the main road we turn right. Just after St Anne’s Church we take a tarmac lane on the left passing a large caravan site, at the end of the lane we turn left following a track towards Knightson Farm.
Just before the farm gate we pick up a footpath on the left that leads through woodland to Knightson Bottom. It has rained heavily since I was here last week and the bluebells have taken a bit of a battering, but it is still a great section of woodland.
After passing under the railway bridge we continue straight on to look at the ruins of an old Folly.
We then turn around and head back towards the bridge taking the footpath on the right leading towards Scotsborough House.
As we walk I tell Lynnie the tale about about these ruins so she is interested to have a look.
Our route continues towards the B4318 where we turn right, walking besides the road for a few hundred yards before taking a footpath on the left towards Nabb’s Bridge. We continue on towards Holloway Bridge and on reaching the edge of Penally turn right and follow the road with the disused night club on our right, then at a junction turn right to walk up the hill.
This is a steady climb on a warm afternoon but I know that the view from the top is worth the effort. On reaching a footpath on the left we enter the meadow with stunning views of Caldey Island.
This is the field where I had a close encounter with a fox last week, so I keep an eye out as we walk downhill across the meadow. On reaching a hedgerow we turn right along another footpath to head behind a disused farm joining a road where we turn right and head down the hill.
At the junction by the pub we turn left and walk through the village and then take a footpath on the right that heads through a farmyard, before crossing the A4139 to reach the railway line. We cross the line with care “Stop, look, listen!” and follow the path towards the beach. The dogs know where they are and are very keen to get on the sands.
We make slow progress along the beach towards Tenby; the dogs are enjoying playing and we are enjoying the views.
In Tenby we wander around to the harbour.
Then take a lane back towards the car. I notice a plaque on a wall indicating that Henry Tudor, (later to become King Henry VII) escaped through a tunnel here in 1471 when fleeing to France.
Whilst reading the plaque a passing local mentions that the town has an intricate network of tunnels running below it. Apparently there is an entrance to the tunnels in a storeroom in Boots the Chemist in Tudor Square and a few years ago the TV channel S4C made a documentary featuring the tunnels. Unfortunately, they are not open to the public, but when we are home I will look to see if the programme is still available.
We head above North Beach admiring the view.
We have really enjoyed visiting Tenby. I am sure it feels different in the height of the summer holiday season, but at the moment it is comfortably busy, gearing up for the main season, and it is packed with history and stunning beaches.
Back at Woodstock CL we start preparations for our journey home tomorrow. We have been away for almost a month and despite Lynnie’s back problems and Dexter’s emergency trip to the vets it has been a very enjoyable tour. We have been fortunate to stay on three stunning CL’s, all worthy of return visits. But for now our thoughts return to sorting things out at home, no doubt the garden will require a lot of attention, before heading off once again.
17th May 2017
[To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL36 – South Pembrokeshire]
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2017)