Suggested Local Walks

Saundersfoot by foot. The path that runs along the bottom of the valley seen from the lodge is a brisk 15~20-minute walk to the sea at Wisemans Bridge then about the same again to Coppett Hall Beach and then Saundersfoot.  Total around 2 miles taking 40 minutes. 

To get to the path follow the road down from the lodge past the gas tanks over the bridge and past the play area. This path is stony and is difficult (almost impossible) for buggies and the like, in that case go via the reception building. 

Once on the main path to Saundersfoot it is tarmac and follows the course of the old railway line so virtually flat (it is very dark at night). Crossing the road at Wisemans Bridge (watch out for traffic, especially the bus) the path follows the side of the cliffs and goes through long dark tunnels in several places. Bring a torch - there's a boxful to choose from in the cupboard. 

You could park on the front at Wisemans Bridge (free), or Coppett Hall (£6.50 pd) will save the legs getting to Saundersfoot. There are several car parks in Saundersfoot including the harbour which is the best. Problem they are always rammed in high season. 

Walk up the hill behind the lodge and then up the steep path. At one point you will have to scale 68 steps. Sam did this with Ewan in a buggy in the early hours – things you do when the baby won’t sleep! Follow the path into the woods to more ruins, older kids will love this. Keep going along the path downhill overlooking Heritage Park and eventually finish at Stepaside. You should recognise where you are. 

It is much easier to do this walk the other way round. Start by the 3 cottages behind the bus-stop in Stepaside. 

One of the best walks.  

We did this starting from the lodge to Wisemans Bridge, across the beach at low tide here Tides Wisemans-Bridge-Beach. Stopped at the Amroth Arms then on to Colby Lodge. Over the hills and fields returning almost where you started.  

The walking map starts at Amroth. But we do this in order  3, 4, 5, 1, 2. 

If you prefer, you can just walk to Amroth and then back again. 

This exhilarating walk is one of the best ever. The terrain and views are some of the breath-taking in the world and to die for. 

It is hard work for us oldies, the 18,018 steps from the lodge to the top of the steps at Tenby North beach took us exactly 4 hours and according to Fitbit walked the equivalent of 76 flights of stairs. 

In the direction we travelled, to Tenby, there was a flight of steps 160 going down, plus a never-ending hill going up - at the top was a flag and notice “Ed H was here 1953”. 

The route is straight forward, following the coastal path arrows but some require thought.  (Two being at Rowston). 

Eat at the Hwbr Brewery which is incredibly good food for what looks like an average pub restaurant. 

Taxi back to lodge £20. 

We will do the other direction sometime. 

best place ever for adults and kids and is only 5-minute drive (only open weekends during the winter ☹). Lexi loved it so much she threw up.

This is more than a farm. You can see over 750 animals at the zoo, including proper animals such as lions and giraffes. Plus a water area with penguins and flamingos. Children can get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in the barn. 

There are 17 different rides in the vintage fairground plus penny slot machines, and 8 adventure play areas including diggers, several cafes, a big toy and gift shop. Toilets score 8 AW. Incidentally FF is just the place for a wet day. 

The train ride, which is actually pulled by a tractor, leaves on the hour and half past. The walk under the road from the barn takes longer than you’d expect, allow plenty of time. 

One money saving tip (can see Rod has embraced the OAP lifestyle) is buy the £10 wrist band for the funfair. If you intend to pay-as-you-go once on the funfair a tenner easily disappears. 

Comes a close second according to Logan Waugh. Negligible driving distance at 12 minutes, and reasonable entry - £15 for adults. 

The drive-on cars, paddle boats and other activities are what keeps 3 to 6 year olds amused all day. 

News for 2025. Lexi can do flips on the trampoline, and Arlo being a dinosaur expert is now a safari guide. 

SA70 8RZ

bit long winded to say but would love a review please. 

(SA62 4PE, 12 miles, 20 mins)

Not sure if free admission still applies. Someone please let us know. 

(SA70 8RJ, 6 miles,11 minutes)

We intended to catch the Caldey Ferry but it wasn’t running the day we chose. Instead, we took an island tour and looked at the seals and cormorants. We saw a single lone tern also. This is an unusual sight because one good tern …  

Alli caught 3 mackerels and was told this is high number.  (she normally frightens them away). 

This is the kiosk on the sea front. If you find out more please let us know.   

Brand new playground for kids. Slides, swings, zip wire. Includes some picnic benches too. 

How to get there. Located at the bottom of the road after  the Coop.    Parking just up the road in the Community Centre. Entrance is through the Community Garden, which in itself is quite nice. 

No, this is not another wacky church recommendation! 

It claims to be the largest collection of working engines in Wales and charts the development of the steam engine through to the most modern internal combustion engines and has regular steam days see the website.

35 miles, 1 hour 6, Ceredigion, SA43 2JS.

Looks a beautiful place to walk around. The walk is interesting and challenging. 

The two car parks are

///graver.prospers.downward

///tugging.supple.mysteries

Reckoned to be the most interesting place in Wales, a very mini Stonehenge. 

27 miles, 44 minutes en route to Newport.   

Small parking area ///explorer.perfected.schooling

Bluestone Brewing Company. Is not far away. Not open everyday so worth looking a the website before making the detour. 

///richest.tissue.yachting

A mile or 2 from the burial rocks is the woods. Lots of interesting walks on the map.  

Small car park ///woke.duplicity.being

Must go to place to see the cathedral if nothing else and see the last place where Britain was invaded. 

The restaurant there does a superb cawl (another name for chunky soup). 

33miles, 1 hour

Day trips Skomer by boat are from just outside Marloes.

///violinist.closes.brochure 

Is just 8 miles west on the A477. There is an easy 30 minute walk from the free car park, round the castle grounds, over the bridge and past the only Tidal Mill in Wales. The large and impressive castle is a reasonable £6 for oldies. The vast number of windows suggests it is a double-glazing salesman’s dream also. 

The Castle Arms is recommended, especially the beer garden overlooking the castle in good weather. They sell beer called “bread of heaven”, the day we visited Wales were playing France on the TV so there was no doubt which country we were in. 

The shop is tiny (in fact Phil and Beth’s larder in the USA is larger) but they do stock Jammie Dodgers and plenty of chocolate and the assistant was extremely chatty. 

On the way back take a detour via Carew Cheriton (other side of the A477). A quaint village with a stream and a fortified rectory – to keep those annoying parishioners out. 

Cresswell Quay is 13 miles from the lodge via Carew but there is a slightly shorter direct route. It is the location of the 2016 film Their Finest starring among others Bill Nighy set in the 1940’s about the Blitz and Dunkirk. 

A jigsaw village at the top end of tidal river Cresswell with beautiful and peaceful (in March at least) views of the river from the benches on the quay outside the pub. This is where 700 years ago they would load coal onto flat bottom barges. The pub, Cresselly Arms, is very oldie-worldie with friendly locals and cheap beer. 

a few miles further on from Creswell and Carew and 18 miles from the lodge. You can walk past to the end merging of the Cresswell and Cleddau Ddu rivers, both are tidal, wander round the boat yard or visit the Quayside café. It was closed when we visited, Monday with a stunning and peaceful location. Lawrenny Village, 1 mile inland, is another jigsaw material.   

Lawrenny history

Laugharne is a beautiful location on the estuary where the River Taf flows into Carmarthen Bay it is made famous by the poet Dylan Thomas. He did his writing from a boathouse. .dylanthomasboathouse.com.

Park at Green Banks car park SA33 4SY  ///camper.stint.handed and walk along the estuary below the castle to the Dylan Thomas boat house, head up the hill and return by wandering through the town. 

Browns pub/inn/restaurant is famous but always busy when we’ve been there. Near the car park we really liked Café Culture, but the Owl and Pussycat is recommended in the guidebooks which happens to be next door to The Runcible Spoon Take-Away – think about this for a minute. There is a gift shop on the square where we bought some of the pictures in the lodge. 

15 miles East 

 Llansteffan on the west side of the Towy Estuary, 20 miles, 33mins. 

The shortest and quickest route is via Llanybry the narrow roads are hairy and fun, the alternative route via Llangain and Johnstown has views of the estuary. 

There are 2 decent sized and free carparks right on the front overlooking the estuary. One has toilets, unfortunately 1AW only and that is generous – could do better Carmarthenshire. 

The easy 3.5 mile walk LLansteffan and the Towy Estuary is recommended amazing the views over the estuary are nowhere else in this world. A minor diversion via the castle, which is free and totally uncommercialised, is well worth it for the photo opportunities. Walking up the spiral staircase is not for the faint hearted. 

On the other side of Towy Estuary to Llansteffan. It's  bit of a trek but can be combined with a visit to Carmarthen or Laugharne. 

The passenger ferry to Llansteffan opposite looks great, it was featured on Escape to the Country. 

The train from Swansea to Kilgetty runs alongside this estuary the scenery is spectacular. 

30 miles, 40 mins. 

A bit further afield, but if you are in the vicinity of Swansea or the Gower Peninsula make a point of visiting the Evan Roberts memorial. This is where the 1904 Welsh Revival began in which it is reckoned over 100,000 people became Christians. Wales Christian heritage

SA4 6QD 47 miles, 53 minutes alternatively 5 miles, 10 minutes from M4 J47, or 2 mile walk from Gowerton rail station on the Swansea to Carmarthen line). 

You will be following in the footsteps of the famous /infamous - Michael Portillo who dropped by here, see BBC Great Coastal Railway Journeys; S1 E23.