The Stackpole Estate, owned by the Lort family of Stackpole, once covered 17,000 acres of the Castlemartin Peninsular, of which the National Trust now owns 2,000 acres.
In 1688, a marriage secured ownership for an enterprising family, the Campbells of Scotland. Although the estate has long since disintegrated, and Stackpole Court itself was destroyed in the 1960s, some of the influence of the Campbells remains.
It was the Campbells who moved the village of Stackpole south-west by half-a-mile. The original mediaeval site is marked by the remains of a preaching cross.
You can walk or ride on horseback through the surrounding woodland, which was originally planted for the estate and includes many interesting species.
While in the Stackpole area, make sure you visit the Mencap garden centre. It has been established in a Victorian walled garden and utilises some traditional techniques - have a good walk around and discover its secrets.
The tiny harbour of Stackpole Quay was also built for the estate. Now administered by the National Trust, it provides the perfect base for starting a walk along the Coast Path, or boating activities. Facilities are nearby, as well as a National Trust Centre.
The Boathouse Tea-rooms have plenty of room inside and out, an impressive menu for lunches and a tempting selection of cakes.
A well walked section of the Coast Path leads over grassy cliff-tops, through an arch by a steep but easy descent to Barafundle. Only accessible on foot, this golden sandy beach can be a real sun-trap.
The Coast Path continues at the other end of the beach up through the trees, onwards over the cliffs to Broadhaven (South). The wide expanse of sand, overlooking the distinctive Church Rock, has access to the road. Alternatively, you can follow the stream that runs along the edge of the beach; it leads straight to Bosherston Lily pools. From there it is a short walk to the village and your next refreshment stop.