Twelve ramblers and two guests met at St. Ishmaels on Saturday for a 12-mile circular walk in the St. Brides area led by Graham Morgan. The weather was superb and much better than the local forecast and contributed in no small measure to a very enjoyable walk in a particularly scenic part of Pembrokeshire.

The coastal footpath was the starting point of the walk, with the party heading in an easterly direction towards Great Castle Head, before taking inland tracks and the minor road to Bicton, then up to the main road where, after turning left and right, the walkers stopped for refreshments at Butterhill Manor House, a grade II listed building now for sale on the open market for a cool £300k+.

Continuing along inland tracks and fields, the lunch destination of St. Brides was eventually reached by way of Slatemill Bridge and Pearson Farm after nearly three hours of steady walking.

The afternoon section saw the party walking across the fields to Fopston and Winterton Farms and then heading down to Mullock Bridge and the ‘high-water detour’ footpath opposite the entrance to Mullock Farm.

Here the walkers turned right and followed the path as far as the derelict Slatehill Farm and descended southwards to the estuary and rejoined the coastal footpath near The Gann. A moment’s rest was taken here to allow the guests to enjoy the panoramic views in front of them. It was agreed that the Haven had never looked better.

The final section saw the party heading for Monk Haven. Monk Haven was a surprise and joy to the few members in the party who were seeing it for the first time, not realising that it had been a landing stage for pilgrims on their way to St. Davids. It was here that the walkers left the coast path and walked up the lovely wooded valley, past the church and up the hill, before turning right and making for the Brook Inn, where a well-deserved drink awaited the weary walkers.

We saw the county at its best during this walk. Spring flowers were in abundance with the contrasting colours of the white flowers on the wild garlic, the red campion along the coastal footpath and the bluebells in the woods. There were fields, too, of yellow flowering oil seed rape. There were sheep and lambs and also some very inquisitive heifers in the fields and when we reached the final section of the coast path, yachts were out and about on the Haven and the Pembroke - Rosslare ferry was making its careful way out to St. Ann’s Head. What better place was there for a 12-mile walk in the spring?

The next walks are tomorrow (Saturday) from St. Govans and Sunday, May 8, from Wiston. The leaders can be contacted on 01646 684049 and 01437 731103, respectively.