Roch

Roch is a small village strung along the A487 between Haverfordwest and Newgale, and its landmark is unmissable: a tall, narrow Norman tower perched on an outcrop of hard volcanic rock, visible for miles across the fields and from much of St Brides Bay. The castle was built in the thirteenth century by the Anglo-Norman de la Roche family as one of a line of strongholds along the Landsker — the linguistic and cultural frontier that separated English-speaking south Pembrokeshire from the Welsh-speaking north, and which still shows in the place names either side. Roch marks its western end. The castle is now run as private accommodation rather than a public attraction, so admire it from the road and the footpaths rather than turning up expecting a ticket office.

The village has a pub, a shop and a church, and its real asset is location. Newgale, with two miles of open sand, a pebble storm ridge and the most reliable surf on this coast, is two minutes down the hill. Nolton Haven and Druidston are five to ten minutes south, Broad Haven and Little Haven fifteen, St Davids fifteen north, and Haverfordwest ten east for supermarkets and the station.

The honest limitations: the A487 runs through the village and is busy in season, there is no beach within walking distance for most properties, and the exposed ridge catches the weather coming in off St Brides Bay. In return you get the views — sunsets over the whole bay from the higher ground — at noticeably lower prices than the coastal villages themselves.

Cottages and farm conversions on the ridge and in the lanes towards Newgale and Nolton often come with wide sea views over St Brides Bay, and are the reason to choose Roch over somewhere on the sand. Village properties give a pub and shop on foot. Check the setback from the main road before booking.

On the A487 between Haverfordwest and St Davids, so access is simple. Haverfordwest station, on the line from Swansea and Carmarthen, is about ten minutes by car.