A few great walks to enjoy over the festive season
Take a bracing winter walk on Newport Sands. Be sure to pick a blustery windy day to blow all the cobwebs out whilst trying to remain standing as the westerly howls and sends foam and sand flying across the beach. Our favourite route is across the beach from the surf club towards Parrog, turn left at the end of the dunes, shelter for a while at The Bennet before then strolling further along the river and back through the dunes along the edge of the golf course.
On a fresh icy morning, why not embrace the walk to the summit of Carningli? Our kids like this one. From Market Street, head uphill keeping the Castle to your right, at College Square follow the small lane bearing right off the sharp left hand bend and keep going up until the lane forks. Turn right and then left at the T-junction, you should now be on a foot path – follow this path bearing right to a gate with a small mountain stream on it’s other side.
You are now on Carningli – there are many paths to follow from here to the summit, our kids make us go a different route each time. For the return leg though we always head down north eastern side which brings you down onto a small tarmacked road and back to Newport via part of Cilgwyn and then Grey Stone Hill.
Find the Witches Cauldron. This walk starts at Ceibwr (near Moylegrove) and takes in a lovely section of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Facing the sea at Ceibwr head left (south west) along the coast path. The cliffs are very high here so please take care but it’s well worth it for the lovely coastal views south west towards the St David’s Peninsula. When the path starts to descend sharply look to your left to see the Witches Cauldron below. You’ll quite often find a seal or two taking a breather beached inside the Cauldron.
Walk the new Poachers Path along the River Nevern. Opened in 2021, this path follows the edge of the northern side of the Nevern from the Iron Bridge in Newport. Another favourite with our kids as you have to traverse through ancient woodland to the flood plane below. The path continues on to Nevern or you can loop around to come out at Berry Hill farm (on the road to Newport Sands) or follow a track over the stone bridge to Llwyngwair Manor – the main reason our kids like this walk so much. At the Manor you can enjoy a round of mini golf or indoor duckpin bowling if the weather isn’t so great.
Pengelli Forest is another favourite of ours – although spring is noted as the best time to visit due to the bluebells, the winter has it’s own benefits. We love seeing the forest’s bare bones so to speak. You can also see the Preseli Hills through the now bare branches, giving the Forest it’s sense of place in our beautiful Pembrokeshire landscape. There are many walks to explore in Pengelli and just inside the entrance you’ll see an information board and guides to the walks.
And when you’re done walking, make sure you check out one of Newport’s local cafes or pubs to warm up next to a cosy fire with a bowl of locally made cawl or soup. See where to eat here: Places to eat in Newport
