Bosherston Ponds, Stackpole Head and Broad Haven Dunes

The beautiful lily ponds were created in the 18th century to enhance the Stackpole Estate. There are pleasant, shaded walkways all through the woods at the water's edge, and the paths are linked by a series of low footbridges across the ponds. Waterfowl are abundant in the ponds all year round, but summer is definitely the time to visit to best enjoy the wonderful array of water lilies in full bloom. The site of an Iron Age hillfort on the promontory is a reminder that there was a settlement here more than a thousand years before the Normans came.

The walk continues to Stackpole village and then on through gentle farming country to Trewent Point (Stackpole Quay). This sheltered spot has been given further protection by a simple stone quay jutting out from the cliffs. It serviced the old limestone quarry nearby, for it was here that fuel for the lime kiln was landed, and stone from the quarry and lime were sent out around the coast. The path climbs to the top of the cliffs to join the National Trail. From here it is clear that Stackpole marks a distinct break in the nature of the coast: to the east the cliffs show rich reds and oranges typical of sandstone; to the west is grey limestone. This forms in blocks and horizontal bands, so that the clifftop is flat, and this combined with the short, springy turf makes for easy and pleasant walking. Erosion has created rock arches and isolated sea stacks, and one good reason for taking the route around Stackpole Head is to get a good view of the great natural arches below the cliffs.

This first break in the cliffs appears at Barafundle Bay. The sand has piled up at the back of the beach to create high dunes, which the wind has whipped into strange shapes. This whole sandy area was once a vast rabbit warren, and the massive wall on one side of the bay separated the warren from the deer park. Another fine clifftop walk leads on to Broad Haven. The narrow line of dunes at the back of the beach divides it from the end of the Bosherston Ponds. It is here that the dam was built to hold back the water to create these sumptuous ornamental lakes.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.