The tearoom at Stackpole Quay — crab sandwiches and cake in the National Trust courtyard where the Barafundle walk begins. Location, perfected.
Hygiene 5/5Outdoor seating
Photo: Gordon Hatton (CC BY-SA 2.0)Barafundle Bay and the Bosherston Lily Ponds
The best short walk in south Pembrokeshire: a cliff path to Barafundle, then inland along three flooded limestone valleys full of lilies.
- Distance
- 5 miles / 8 km
- Time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Climbing
- about 180m
- Type
- Circular
- Dogs
- On a lead
Barafundle BayBroad Haven SouthBosherston lily pondsStackpole QuayOtters at dawn
The route
Park at Stackpole Quay and walk south past the tiny harbour — one of the smallest in Britain, cut into the limestone for the estate that used to own all of this.
The path climbs the headland and drops through an arch in a stone wall onto Barafundle Bay. That arrival is the reason people come. There's no road to Barafundle and no facilities of any kind, which is exactly why it still looks the way it does. If you're only here for the beach, this half-mile is the walk.
Carry on over the pine-backed dunes at the far end and along the cliff to Broad Haven South, a wider beach with a stack, Church Rock, sitting offshore. Turn inland here.
The Bosherston lily ponds are three flooded limestone valleys, dug as an ornamental lake by the Cawdor family in the 18th and 19th centuries and now a National Nature Reserve. Cross the causeways and follow the eastern arm. The lilies flower from late May into June and are worth timing a trip around. There are otters in here; the odds go up at dawn, in silence, on the arms away from the car park.
Come out at Bosherston village, then follow the lane and field path back east to Stackpole Quay.
Where to finish. The Stackpole Inn is a dining pub rather than a quick-pint pub, so book at weekends. The Boathouse tearoom at Stackpole Quay is the shorter option and sits right by the car park.
Doing it shorter. Stackpole Quay to Barafundle and back is about 1½ miles round trip and takes under an hour. The lily ponds on their own, from the Bosherston car park, are flat and about 2 miles.
Getting there
- Start
- Stackpole Quay (National Trust car park) (SA71 5LS)
- Parking
- National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay (pay and display, free to members). Full by mid-morning in August — the Bosherston lily ponds car park is the overflow.
- Buses
- The seasonal Coastal Cruiser bus serves Stackpole and Bosherston.
The next few hours
Nearest forecast point: Tenby
dry for the next few hours, around 12°C, gusting to 26 mph — hold on to the windbreak.
01:00
12°
Clear
W 26 mph
02:00
12°
Clear
W 25 mph
03:00
12°
Clear
W 25 mph
04:00
12°
Clear
W 23 mph
05:00
12°
Clear
W 23 mph
06:00
12°
Clear
W 23 mph
07:00
11°
Clear
W 22 mph
08:00
11°
Clear
NW 23 mph
Forecast from MET Norway, used under CC BY 4.0. It's a forecast for the nearest of six points across the county, not for this exact spot — on a coast this shaped, one headland can be in sun and the next in rain.
Light today at Stackpole Quay (National Trust car park)
- Sunrise
- 07:34
- Sunset
- 18:41
- Daylight
- 11h 8m
The light goes gold from about 17:56.
Calculated for these coordinates, accurate to a minute or so. A cliff or a headland to your west will take the sun sooner than this suggests.
Tides near Barafundle Bay and the Bosherston Lily Ponds
Stackpole Quay · about 0 miles away
High water
06:57
Sat 10 Oct · 7.9m
Low water
12:47
Sat 10 Oct · 1.0m
High water
19:15
Sat 10 Oct · 8.1m
Low water
01:09
Sun 11 Oct · 1.0m
Predicted times from the UK Hydrographic Office. Wind and pressure shift real water levels, and the tide at a specific cove can run earlier or later than its port. Never plan a tidal crossing on this alone.
Before you go
The steps down to Barafundle are steep and get slippery in the wet. There's no lifeguard at either beach and the currents at the edges of the bays deserve respect. The lily pond paths are level but the boardwalks can be greasy after rain.
Where to eat and drink on this walk
The nearest pubs, cafés and restaurants to the start and finish. Check hours before you count on one.
750m away · about 10 min walk
Photo: Gareth James (CC BY-SA 2.0)SA71 5DF
Destination dining pub in Stackpole village — the natural refuel after Barafundle and the lily ponds.
Hygiene 5/5Dogs welcome
- Opening hours
- Today 12:00–14:30, 17:30–20:00
1.0km away · about 15 min walk
Beaches on the way
Stay near this walk
Hand-picked places to stay within about 2 miles, nearest first. Our picks are data-driven — we haven’t stayed — and we earn a commission when you book through a partner link. How that works.
Freshwater East · Sleeps 4 · 2 beds
- 2 miles away
- Best for: Families with young children · budget beach weeks
from £369/week
View stay →Bookable via holidaycottages.co.uk
Freshwater East · Sleeps 4 · 2 beds
- 2 miles away
- Best for: Two couples · friends
from £473/week
View stay →Bookable via holidaycottages.co.uk
Freshwater East · Sleeps 6 · 3 beds
Dog friendlySea view
- 2 miles away
- Best for: Families with dogs · sea-view bedrooms
from £707/week
View stay →Bookable via holidaycottages.co.uk
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Distances and times are approximate. Conditions on the Coast Path change with the weather and the season — take a map, and check tide times and firing times where they apply.