Dinas Cross Village near Newport Pembrokeshire
An old sea captains Village.
Head west for 3 miles along the A487 from Newport and you will enter the Village of Dinas Cross.
Once very popular with Sea Captains who built many of the stone houses that are still visible all over the Village, Dinas is now a peaceful and quiet Village hiding quite a few surprises. If you continued along the A487 through the Village you would probably think - What is this article talking about?
You will have probably noticed the two pubs (The Free Masons & The Ship Aground), fish and chip shop, service station (closest fuel to Newport), Cafe and a tennis court, but had you taken a road sign posted Cwm yr Eglwys (opposite a small independent Chapel (Gideon) just before you enter Dinas Cross from Newport) one of these surprises would have been revealed.
A long narrow winding lane takes you down into a hidden valley where this picturesque little Hamlet sits. A handful of houses, a small car park (small charge during peak season) and a Church yard with the remains of St Brynach's Church unfold as you enter.
Head towards the ruined Church to discover a beautiful sheltered sandy beach flanked by low cliffs which harbour some great rock pools. There is also a slip way here for launching small vessels.
From Cwm yr Eglwys there are is a lovely circular walk around Dinas Island, although only 3 miles in length it can be quite steep and rocky in some places so allow a good 2 to 2.5 hours to complete in good weather. A bonus on this walk is that at the end of the decent at Pwllgwaelod there is a pub.
Pwllgwaelod beach can be found by turning off the main road near the Ship Aground pub, en-route there is a seaweed art studio (coastandwild.co.uk) and also the local blacksmith (jetblacksmith.co.uk) and at Pwllgwaelod you'll find the 'Old Sailor', a pub and restaurant practically on the beach. There is also a small car park and an area designated to sea craft which also houses the slipway down on to the sandy beach. Pwllgwaelod is very popular during the high season but you can usually find space on the beach - just beware that the car park is very small and does fill up very quickly, as does the 'Old Sailor' - the only coastal path watering hole from Fishguard to Newport.
The return walk from Pwllgwaelod to Cwm yr Eglwys is a brisk flat walk along the valley floor behind the pub.
Head back up the lane from Cwm yr Eglwys and at the A487 turn right towards the Village centre, just after the general stores take the next left and follow this for approx .5 miles, you will pass through a series of sharp bends before the road opens up slightly - look out for a small car park on your right. This is an ideal spot for eating the fish and chips you may have purchased in the Village and is known as Dinas View Point. 180 degree views from Fishguard to Newport can be enjoyed here high above the Village.
Continue on uphill from the view point and yet another of Dinas Cross' hidden surprises slowly opens up in front of you. This is Mynydd Dinas and stands some 310m or thereabouts above sea level. Walk to any of the rocky outcrops to enjoy some stunning views of the north Pembrokeshire countryside. You may also spot a wild pony or 20!
Wildlife to look out for:
At the beaches
- Choughs, Gulls, Peregrine Falcons
- Porpoises, Dolphins, Seals
- Crab, Anemones, Star Fish, Winkles, Limpets and Muscles
On the mountain
- Red Kite, Buzzards
- Wild Ponies, Sheep
Dinas Cross Amenities:
- Car Parking at Pwllgwaelod, Cwm yr Eglwys and View Point
- Shop, Garage (Fuel), Pubs, Fish and Chip Takeaway
- Public Conveniences
- Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Access
- Children's Play Area
Nearby Accommodation
Directions:
Head west along the A487 from Newport. Some 3 miles later you will come to Dinas Cross.
