Welcome to Hooked on Cycling holidays and our cycling holiday in Wales. This biking vacation in Wales follows the wonderful Pembrokeshire coastline, sections of which are a national park. The region of Pembrokeshire is in South West Wales. Not only is the scenery simply stunning but the region also has a number of historic attractions such as Pembroke castle. A castle was first built in the town of Pembroke in the 11th century. Carew Castle is also from the 11th century but was then rebuilt in stone in the 14th century. The most famous historic landmark on the route though is St David’s Cathedral, a vast building making the small hamlet of St David’s actually a city.
Pembrokeshire is one of Wales most stunning regions, it is indeed Wales coastal national park. Although whale watching is possible along the breathtaking coastline you will most likely see dolphins and porpoises. In the north part of the tour, Cardigan Bay is a permanent residence of these fabulous creatures, here you can take boat trips to explore the sea life. The coastline is also a haven for great birdlife. Inland the national park opens to homes for badgers and otters although they can be particularly hard to spot. Not only will you cycle on some safe cycleways but also on minor country lanes as you take a circular route around the region.
Fishguard
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Cycling that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.
NOTE: The 5 night tour includes days 1-5, and day 8.
Today arrive in the quaint port of Fishguard/Goodwick. From here you could catch the Ferry to Ireland! The bay is simply stunning with nice coastal walks joining these two small towns together. Goodwick is in the lower part of the town near the ferry port and Fishguard is slightly higher overlooking the bay.
Today you have a fabulous coastal ride heading west visiting first a tiny ancient chapel in Llanwnda. This chapel serves around 1000 inhabitants. After a short visit, you cycle heading towards the lighthouse at Stumble Head. This is a popular location to view sea life, dolphins, porpoises and various whale species. There are viewing galleries and nice coastal walks here. On a nice day, it is a pretty place to have a picnic. After your look across the sea, you head back inland, with occasional views of the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline. Soon you shall reach Melin Tregwynt Mill a working Mill that has been making cloth for over 100 years! Soon you will be back in Fishguard for a relaxing walk around the town.
Today you cycle in the wild area of the Preseli Hills famous for its Ponies and Bluestones. These Blue rocks are where the stones used to build Stonehenge came from but you can only wonder how centuries ago these huge rocks were transported from Wales to South England!. Along this route, you will see many Neolithic and Bronze Age standing stones used to build Stonehenge. You will soon turn south and follow the rolling hills towards the south coast and to the beautiful fishing village of Saundersfoot. Take a walk on the wonderful sandy beach before enjoying the evening in one of the many local restaurants.
Today you cycle inland through Canaston Woods which is steeped in Mining history. This whole area was a major part of Pembrokeshire’s coalfields from the 17th Century. Soon you reach Blackpool Mill which is one of Britain’s best examples of a corn grist mill. Visit and see the milling machinery. Now you follow the river estuary upstream, look out for the birdlife on the river banks. Soon you will reach Carew Castle a medieval castle although was greatly extended in the 15th century by Sir Rhys Thomas. In the 16th century in was finally converted from medieval castle to an Elizabethan manor by Sir John Perrot. After your visit, you cycle back to Saundersfoot for another relaxing night by the sea.
Today you cycle west along the south coast of Wales along the Celtic trail. You cycle through Tenby where you can see the ruined Tenby castle on a rocky outcrop dating from the 11th century overlooking the sea. You continue along the Celtic trail until you arrive in the Pembroke, visit the castle which is sitting proudly on a river. This castle has been here since the 11th century and is the largest privately owned castle in Wales. After a good break and maybe some lunch you continue cycling north to Haverfordwest. Haverfordwest is the principal town of this sparsely populated region. For an optional ride, you can head towards the coast and Brides Bay. Relax on one of the lovely sandy beaches. You are now right in the coastal National Park.
First, you cycle back to the coastal national park and onto St David’s which is Wales smallest spiritual capital (St David is Wales Saint) and its cathedral. The Cathedral is rather grand and really amazing since the town is so small. This is a long day but if you have time you can take a fast boat excursion to Ramsy Island the RSPB bird sanctuary. If you do not have the time it is well worth a return visit after your tour before you head home. After your visit maybe cycle onto St David’s head to see the stunning views before heading north to Fishguard.
This stretch of coastline is truly stunning, little commercialised means fewer people apart from real nature lovers. You will cycle up the stunning Cym Gwaun valley right into the Welsh hills before looping back to the west coast of Pembrokeshire. You can take a detour to Cardigan a superb town and the head of a beautiful river. A few chances to relax on a nice sandy beach before heading back over the hills to Fishguard
Depart after breakfast.
Plane
To Bristol or Cardiff airports and then by train or fly into any London airport and then by train to Haverfordwest and the taxi to Fishguard.
Train
To Haverfordwest or Fishguard (only a few trains per day) where you have a short Taxi transfer to your hotel
Car
To Fishguard where you can park in the various public car parks
