General
There is a wide range of activities available in the area for Rosemoor guests. A great many of them are in some way or other linked to the sea: the beaches, water sports, diving, fishing, etcetera. Nature oriented people will find much to their liking as well: walking, bird watching, the flora and fauna and the peace and quiet of unspoilt countryside.
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Beaches
Pembrokeshire is literally awash with fine sandy beaches; almost all of them safe in most weather conditions.
Nearest to Rosemoor - 2 miles by crow, 2¾ miles by car and rather less by public footpath - are the beaches at Little Haven and Broad Haven. These provide safe bathing and at neither can you be cut off by the tide.
A little further along the coast to the north is first the magnificent beach at Druidston, then that of Nolton Haven and then the enormous stretch of beach at Newgale, where bathing conditions can sometimes be dangerous in parts, however.
In the opposite direction, the little cove at St. Bride's is a favourite rendez-vous for divers. There are other minor beaches on the Dale peninsula, but the best major beach is undoubtedly Marloes, although it is largely covered at high tide.
There is a lovely beach at St. Ishmael's on the North shore of the Milford Haven Estuary, some 4 miles from Rosemoor. Rumour has it the locals try to keep it for themselves by not indicating how to get there. Just ask us if you would like to give it a try.
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Water Sports
Conditions for sailing are ideal around us. There are marinas at Neyland and Milford Docks and instruction and boat hire is available from them. The sheltered waters of the Milford Haven waterway are especially suited for beginners in this most noble and majestic of sports.
Windsurfing equipment hire and instruction are available either from Haven Sports in Broad Haven, from West Wales Wind, Surf and Sail at Dale to the south of us or from Newsurf on the magnificent Newgale Beach to the north of us.
Diving is another popular sport on the Pembrokeshire Coast, a true Mecca for divers. There are no fewer than 8 Clubs and 2 diving centres. The nearest one to Rosemoor is located less than 2 miles away at Hasguard (the Viking word for Heaven!), where air supplies, diving equipment and reinforced inflatable boats are available.
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Nature
A short walk will get you to the Rosemoor Nature Reserve.
Bird lovers should not miss out on Skomer Island, amongst the most important breeding grounds for sea birds in the south of Britain.
Grey seals are abundant around Pembrokeshire's coast, their stronghold being Ramsey Island. Closer to Rosemoor good views of seals and their pups can be had from the Deer Park at the westernmost tip of the Marloes peninsula, where they can be seen basking in the surf in coves down below, late September and early October.
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The Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast boasts 186 miles of well maintained Coast Path.
This can be conveniently tackled in sections from your base at Rosemoor. A great number of short to medium length circular walks encompassing stretches of the Coast Path have been put in place as well. These allow you to enjoy the Path and the Coast as energetically or lazily as you wish. Paths are well marked, and clearly written guides are available from the Tourist Information Offices and various bookstores.
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Castles
Pembrokeshire almost certainly has more castles to the 100 square miles than any other part of the United Kingdom. Some are well preserved, but essentially ruins in part, like Pembroke; some are lived in, like Manorbier, Roche and Picton; some, like the beautiful floodlit Haverfordwest, can no longer be visited or clambered over as castles, but house the County Museum and Records office; and then there is Carew Castle, with its famous tidal mill.
Within the grounds of Rosemoor, Walwyn's Castle is only recognizable as such with some imagination. It was built as a motte-and-bailey castle by the conquering Normans; out of wood - making ingenious use of the existing geographical features provided by the remains of the pre-existing Iron Age settlement. It lost its importance with the increasing importance of relatively nearby Pembroke, and slowly turned into the current remains. The site of the Iron Age fort and Walwyn's Castle is nowadays a Scheduled Ancient Monument, supervised by CADW.
For the historically interested: more detailed information on the castle within our grounds.
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Churches
Pembrokeshire is dotted with many characteristic small local churches, many with their basic Norman architecture still very much intact. The church of St. James the Great in Walwyn's Castle is a case in point.
The absolute must-see church is St. David's Cathedral. Nestled in a valley in Britain's smallest city, it is reached by a pleasant drive to the northern end of St. Bride's Bay.
Recent restoration projects have added greatly to the already huge impact the Cathedral makes on visitors; from the Refectory, previously non-existent, one has interesting views of parts of the Cathedral hitherto hidden.
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Children's Treats
More text to follow soon!
Meanwhile you may want to go to our Children page.
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Gardens
The mild climate of South West Wales allows early flowers to show themselves really early and plants which would not be hardy elsewhere in the UK to thrive. Horticulturally oriented people often find that enough of an attraction to come this way. Not all that long ago two more good reasons to visit our area were added for garden lovers: the new National Botanic Garden of Wales and the restored gardens of Aberglasney.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is situated in Llanarthne, approximately one hour by car from Rosemoor. It occupies the site of the Middleton Estate, built by William Paxton from the end of the eighteenth century onwards. In addition to the restored lakes on the estate it now boasts the largest single span glasshouse in the world, in which mediterranean climates from all over the world have been recreated.
Aberglasney is a completely different setup. A large country house, with extensive gardens, almost completely lost through neglect, it is now being restored to its former splendour. It has an absolutely magnificent cloister garden, a pond garden, marvellous other walled gardens and a yew tunnel which is possibly hundreds and hundreds of years old. Well worth a visit!
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And Finally...
If you want to wind down without going to too much trouble, why not stay in the grounds of Rosemoor: relax in the sun in the walled garden, enjoy the wide views, see us work, stroll over to the lake, have a go on the swings or the seesaw and let the peace and quiet reinvigorate you. It works wonders!
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