Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay

From the car park at the back of Stackpole Quay, make your way towards the water and you'll find the steps up to Barafundle clearly signposted on your right-hand side. Public toilets and The Boathouse Tearooms (seasonal) are conveniently located here at the start point, allowing for a spot of lunch or purchase of water/snacks before you make your way to Barafundle for a few hours. 

We always recommend walking down to the water at Stackpole Quay for this is a pretty spot, often underated in comparison to the nearby beauty destinations of Barafundle Bay and Broadhaven South Beach that can be found further west along the coast. On summer's days, you'll find groups swimming, jumping and kayaking out of this water here.

The start of this walk takes you up a steep set of stairs through a shaded wooded area, so take your time if you need to. There is a useful handrail running through the centre of the staircase providing some support for those going up and coming down. 

As you emerge at the top of the headland, the gravel pathway brings you to a gate with an information board to one side where you can read a little about the area. Ensure to close the gate as you move forward, for there may be wild ponies grazing here. Passing through the gate, you'll find the trail moves into a large open space of grass with a well-beaten path leading you straight ahead.

While you can make your way left for a closer view of the coastline (bearing in mind not to get too close as there are no barriers or fencing), many stick to the trodden pathway created by those who have come before them. Fairly flat and level, there is plenty of grassy floor space if you need to take a pitstop though soon enough you'll be greeted by the iconic view of the walled doorway above Barafundle Beach. 

With flowering gorse on your left and a wide expanse of sea filling the horizon, you may want to snap a picture here or take a few steps uphill into the headland on the right for a beautiful photo opportunity.

Step through the walled doorway to discover a steep staircase leading down to the soft sand at sea level. Keep to the left if you need the support of the wall as you make your way down and be aware that the steps can become sandy so be careful of your footing. 

Barafundle Beach boasts plenty of white sands for sitting and sunbathing, with beautiful blue waters for cooling down and swimming. Sand dunes back the beach offering pockets of grassy spaces to explore and at the far end of the beach, you'll find the Coast Path continues on towards Broadhaven South and the Bosherston Lily Ponds through the woodland.