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Newgale

Newgale village is a small cluster of buildings at the northern edge of Newgale beach. Most people, when they refer to Newgale, however, mean the beach. It's a magnificent two mile long stretch of wide flat sand with a huge pebble bank behind it.

Picture: Newgale beach from the south end looking north

The sand does disappear at high tide but at low tide it's an activities paradise. Newgale is one of Pembrokeshire's top three surfing locations and attracts surfers and kayakers but because of the length of the beach and the absence of underwater obstructions, it's perfect for wind surfing and kite surfing too.

Picture: Newgale beach in winter

There are several B&Bs, farms and guesthouses near Newgale but the nearest hotels would be in St Davids or Haverfordwest. There are several camping sites, touring caravan sites and several holiday parks nearby where you can rent self catering caravans or chalets. There are numerous self catering cottages Newgale and surrounding villages. For Coast Path walkers, there's a youth hostel in Pen Y Cwm nearby.

Picture: Cwn Mawr, the next bay north from Newgale as seen from the Coast Path in March 2008

At the south end of the beach is a car park run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Next to the car park is Pebbles Café and beach shop, plus the Newgale surf school called Master Class. Walk the beach south of here and there are some isolated pebbly coves plus an intriguing walk-through cave. Watch you don't get cut off by the tide here! At the farthest reach of the beach is a chimney in a hollow. It's all that remains of a tiny coal mine that operated here in the early nineteenth century.

In the centre of the beach are two more car parks, the big one next to the lifeguard building and one used predominantly by surfers and kitesurfers. There's usually a mobile van selling ice cream and hot drinks.

Further north at the top end of the beach, next to Newgale village, there's a pub, The Duke of Edinburgh, Newsurf surf shop, Big Blue kite surfing and the Sands café, just over the bridge. The Sands serve tea and coffee and perhaps a bite from the bistro style menu. Breakfast is served all day from early morning and filled baguettes are available to take away. The Duke of Wellington serve food at lunchtime and in the evening.

Picture: The Duke of Edinburgh at Newgale. Newsurf is just out of the picture on the left

At low tide, cross the bridge and make your way along the back of the pebble bank. From here you can walk along the sand to the next cove at Cwn Mawr but be careful not to get cut off by the tide.

Picture: Rock strata at the north end of Newgale beach

The Coast Path walking in either direction from Newgale is fantastic. This is one of the best bits of The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Walk south to Nolton

Roch is a small village inland from Newgale. It has a pub, a shop, a fish and chip shop and a motel. The most prominent feature of the village is its castle.

Picture: Roch Castle near Newgale

Roch Castle is a prominent D-shaped tower on an isolated rocky outcrop and is thought to have been built by Adam de Rupe in the 13th century. It is associated with much legend and can be seen for many miles around. It is not open to the public but houses holiday apartments.

Beach Awards:
Newgale beach has a Blue Flag Award and a Seaside Award. A Blue Flag is the highest award for beaches. Blue Flag beaches meet the highest level of cleanliness.