Bosherston/St Govan’s

DISTANCE/DURATION: 4.4 miles (7.1km) 2 hours 30 minutes
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Service bus Bosherston 387, Coastal Cruiser
CHARACTER: Reasonably level, 2 km of road walking on quiet lanes, cliff edge in places
LOOK OUT FOR: Limestone cliffs, beaches, lily ponds (National Nature Reserve), choughs
CAUTION: Access to St Govan’s Head dependent on firing times. Telephone 01646 662367 for details.

Located on the south-eastern side of the Castlemartin peninsula, Bosherston has become famous for its lily ponds.

Created by the Stackpole Estate in the 18th and 19th centuries by blocking three narrow limestone valleys, they are now protected as a National Nature Reserve.

As well as being noted for otters, waterfowl and water lilies, the Ponds have good stocks of coarse fish, particularly pike and tench, with roach, perch, eels damsel flies and dragon flies also present.

A cornucopia of birds can be seen here with coot, moorhen, mute swan, heron and kingfisher in the reed beds.

On the coast, the many caves, arches, inlets, blow-holes and stacks are the result of wave action on the limestone cliffs and are great for sea birds including ravens, shags, martins, oystercatchers, jackdaws and, of course, the chough. Wildflowers abound – the squill and sea lavender are particularly beautiful.

Access to St Govan’s Head may be restricted by the Ministry of Defence. Nearby, there is a fine beach and dunes at Broad Haven.

Tim Jones, former South Sector Ranger for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, says: “This walk takes you through one of the three National Nature Reserves in the National Park. It is an excellent place to see otters, I’ve seen them here a number of times. For the best chance to see one yourself, go early – and leave the dog at home.”