recommended route
Stage 6
WPPW 6. Goodwick to Melin Tregwynt
British Pilgrimage Trust
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Old Fishguard TownPhoto: David Pepper, British Pilgrimage Trust
The sixth stage and first leg of the Welsh section of the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way starts at Goodwick / Fishguard. Visit first the sacred space of Llanwnda, before continuing along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to end at Melin Tregwynt.
From the ferry terminal you climb up to the National Park coastpath via the Celtic church and holy well at Llanwnda. This is the place where French and Irish solidiers landed in 1797 in what is often called the last invasion of Britain. Here you can see the original (charred) Welsh bible that the invading forces were said to have used as kindling. Then, with stunning views of headlands and coves you follow the Pen Caer peninsula to Strumble Head lighthouse which is a great place to spot seals, dolphins and seabirds.
You can squeeze into a hermit’s cell from the Age of the Celtic Saints at the foot of Garn Fawr near Pwll Deri. This majestic and wild landscape has also inspired artists for centuries. Pause to hear the poem - Pwll Deri - by the Welsh bard Dewi Emrys. After continuing on the coast path, consider a short diversion inland to the woollen mill at Melyn Tregwynt with its traditional Welsh blankets and excellent café.
Author’s recommendation
Enjoy some special time around Llanwnda - it is a very sacred place of old - and look out for wildlife along the Coast Path, particularly seals.
Track types
Safety information
Please note there are no shops or facilities of any kind along this route once you have left Goodwick. Toilets at Goodwick only. Please follow the Coast Path Safety Code and their FAQs are also useful for ensuring you have a safe and pleasant experience.
Tips and hints
Some special places to be visited along the way which might be just off the route:
- Neolithic Burial Chamber at Garnwnda just above Llanwnda
- Llanwnda with its holy well, St Gwyndaf's Church with ancient stones built into the walls, 400 year old charred bible
- Old lookout bunker just before Strumble Head Lighthouse - good for a dry lunch
- Hermit cell at Garn Fawr
- Cliffs and stunning coastline of Pwll Deri
- Look out for wildlife - seals, dolphins, seabirds including kittiwakes
- Extensive array of wildflowers (especially in spring)
- Look out for Welsh ponies
- Aber Mawr is the place from which the transatlantic cable originated on the UK mainland
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
- Start at Goodwick Square next to the War Memorial with Cross. Note heritage iron railings leading up the square.
- From Goodwick Square straight up Pilgrims Way adjacent to the Glendower B&B.
- Then Plum Lane to Pen Rhiw Farm.
- Left lane out of Pen Rhiw Farm to Ciliau Crossroads.
- At the crossroads an ancient pilgrim waymarker stone is set into the bank of the hedge. It has a barely legible cross. Another similar stone has been reset into the exterior wall of St. Gwyndaf’s church in Llanwnda.
- Follow the road to Llanwnda, option to visit Garnwnda by turning left and following the path onto the plateau with spectacular panoramic views of Pen Caer Peninsula.
- Llanwnda Holy Well is opposite the church in a small copse of trees in a natural setting. The well is an excellent spot for reflection and maybe a song or blessing. Llanwnda well is ancient and linked with the Garnwnda Neolithic Settlement.
- From Llanwnda follow signs for the Pembrokeshire Coast Path that leads down through the fields to Cwm Felin and Carregwastad Point.
- Cwm Felin is an old valley where there would have been a mill and you cross the stream that would have powered the small mill.
- Carregwastad is the landing site of the French Invasion in 1797. This was a diversionary raid to draw British Troops away from Ireland in support of what became the 1798 Rebellion. A memorial stone marks the headland where the French troops scrambled up the cliffs to raid the local farms and get drunk on the local homebrew before being rounded up by Jemima Fawr.
- Pen Capel Degan / Porthsychan & Carreg Gybi.
- Follow coast path to Strumble Head.
- Coast path to Pwll Deri.
- Coast path until Aberbach where you take an inland diversion to Melyn Tregwynt Woollen Mill.
Public transport
Regular ferry crossing from Rosslare to Goodwick with Stena Line.
Rail services from across Britain into Fishguard & Goodwick operated by Transport for Wales.
Along the route, there is a bus service (404 Strumble Shuttle) but it only runs on a Thursday - pick up from Aber Mawr would be at nearby Tregwynt Mill.
Pembrokeshire Council also run the Fflecsi where you can request a stop anywhere within a certain zone and they will pick up from Aber Mawr or nearby Tregwynt Mill. Fflecsi Bus can be booked via their own app or by calling 0300 234 0300.
By road
Goodwick is very well serviced with train and ferry services from Ireland. There is also plenty of parking available.
Aber Mawr is serviced by 404 Strumble Shuttle (Thursday only) or the Fflecsi bus service (pick up at nearby Tregwynt Mill)
Private taxi services are recommended if the bus services are not available.
Parking
There is plenty of available parking in Goodwick. Information on Council website.
Very limited on road parking at Aber Mawr.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Pembrokeshire Coast Path by Brian John (Aurum Press) ISBN 978-1-84513-782-3
Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path by Dennis & Jan Kelsall (Cicerone Press) ISBN 978-1-85284-815-6
Author’s map recommendations
Ireland
There are two maps from the OSI numbers 69 and 77.
(69 covers Ferns to Oulart and 77 covers the rest of the route)
You can buy them at https://store.osi.ie/
Wales
Ordnance Survey - OL 35 - North Pembrokeshire - 1:25000
You can buy this at https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
Equipment
Backpack for carrying waterproofs (whatever the weather forecast says)
Spare clothing including hat / gloves
Water (1 litre)
Food including high energy bars
Phone with spare battery charger
Downloaded online and/or paper map
Suntan lotion
First aid kit
Sturdy boots preferably with ankle support.
Layered clothing to adapt to changeable weather
Walking stick or staff (optional).
Statistics
- 8 Waypoints
- 8 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Photos from others