Find great new places to stay and explore around Newport
We’ve been busy over the past few days, collating a lovely collection of places to stay in the countryside around Newport. Sometimes overlooked areas of our stunning inland and even coastal areas have a great selection of self-catering, hotels, B&B’s and Inns in some quite beautiful tundra. If you’ve only ever visited Newport for the Town and beaches – read on; our quick rough guide will give you an insight to what’s hidden away in the hills, valleys and lesser known coastal areas nearby…
To the south of Newport, you’ll find the Gwaun Valley (Cwm Gwaun), a deep cut heavily wooded glacial valley containing not just one local brewery but two – Bluestones Brewery at the northern edge and The Gwaun Valley Brewery about halfway to Fishguard heading south-west, and if that’s not enough to temp you over the top of Carningli and down the other side, there are also two watering holes – Bessies (The Dyffryn Arms), and The Bridge End Inn at Llanychaer. You’ll also find a few waterfalls on various walks in the valley, plus tiny churches hidden away in unexpected places. To find the Gwaun Valley, from Newport – head towards Fishguard and follow the sign on your left for Cwm Gwaun, alternatively you can head towards Cardigan and follow the sign for Cwm Gwaun / Cilgwyn on your right before the Richard Bros bus depot.
Further inland leads you towards the larger hills of the Preseli range, here you’ll discover small hidden hamlets such as Crosswell, Brynberian and Eglwyswen – situated on quiet country roads leading to the Preseli Hills. Walkers and mountain bikers will delight in the views across the north Pembrokeshire countryside from the many trails that lead up onto and criss-cross the Preseli’s for miles upon miles. Look out for standing stones, cairns and ancient hill top forts as you traverse your way across the ridge of the Preseli’s. From Eglwyswrw follow the B4329 towards Haverfordwest to find your way to the top of the Preseli Hills, where fine views towards Carningli mountain and the coast can be enjoyed in one direction and the rolling countryside towards Haverfordwest can be viewed in the other. You’ll also notice Rosebush quarry cut deeply into one of the nearby hills – there are trails to be found here that will take you to the hilltop and also throughout the woodland and quarry itself.
Heading north from the Preseli Hills you’ll come across an ancient forest, this is Pengelli National Nature Reserve and covers some 65 hectares or so of stunning wooded valleys and hills. It is accessed via an unclassified single lane road off the A487 at Felindre Farchog, en-route you’ll pass through a ford before heading uphill to the limited car parking spaces at the entrance. There are coloured walking trails to help you navigate your way through, and during the spring Pengelli is abundant with bluebells.
Closer to Newport, you can enjoy stunning walks on Carningli and Dinas Mountains – both enjoy huge vistas over the Pembrokeshire coast and inland to the Preseli Hills. From the summit of Carningli, if you can tear your eyes away from the view down to Newport and the coastline – you could be lucky enough to catch sight of the mountains of north Wales and occasionally the peaks of the Wicklow Hills in Ireland. There are also Iron Age hut circles to discover, the remains of Iron Age forts, and cairns dotted around all over the place.
If hidden coves along our coastal path are more your thing – head west from Parrog along the cliff tops to discover gems such as Aber Rhigian, Aber Fforest and further afield Aber Bach. All of which can only be accessed by foot – unless you are lucky enough to be staying at Aber Fforest, in which case you can drive down the private track to your property! All three of these lovely hidden coves are set at the mouth of small river valleys and have a mix of sand and pebble beaches. Aber Fforest and Aber Bach are favourites of ours – skimming stones being one of the highlights at both. They are all relatively safe for wild swimming and unless you are part of a group – you may be the only person there.
