Attractions and Places To See around Cwm Gwaun - Top 20

Cwm Gwaun is a stunning V-shaped valley carved by glaciers, featuring the meandering River Gwaun. You can explore diverse woodlands with sessile oak, beech, and alder, and spot wildlife like pied flycatchers, dippers, and even elusive otters. The valley is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, offering a rich natural environment.

Yes, Cwm Gwaun offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for different abilities. You can find easy walks like the Allt Pontfaen Walk 2 or the Llanychaer / Trellwyn Wood trail. For moderate options, consider the Pontfaen / Tregynon route or the Cwm Gwaun trail itself. These are just a few of the many routes available in the area.

For breathtaking panoramic views, consider visiting Foel Cwmcerwyn summit, the highest point of the Preseli Hills, offering expansive vistas over Pembrokeshire. Another excellent spot is Foel Drygarn Hillfort and Cairns, which provides magnificent views from its ancient summit. Garn Fawr summit and trig point also offers superb views over the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Cwm Gwaun is rich in history and culture. You can visit the Grade II-listed St Brynach's Church in Pontfaen, which features pillar stones from the 6th-9th centuries. The valley is also home to the unique Dyffryn Arms (Bessie's Pub), a historic pub known for its traditional charm. Further historical sites include Foel Drygarn Hillfort and Cairns, an impressive Bronze Age/Iron Age hillfort, and the Iron Age fort at Garn Fawr.

Yes, the area around Cwm Gwaun offers family-friendly options. Pwllgwaelod Beach is a sheltered, pretty beach with plenty of rockpools for children to explore. The various easy walking trails in the valley, such as the Allt Pontfaen Walk 2, are also suitable for families.

Cwm Gwaun is famous for its unique celebration of Hen Galan (Old New Year) on January 13th. This tradition follows the Julian calendar, where children go house-to-house singing traditional Welsh songs in exchange for sweets and money (calennig).

Absolutely! Cwm Gwaun and its surroundings offer several road cycling routes. You can find options like the Gwaun Valley loop from Cwm Gwaun, which is a moderate 17 km ride, or more challenging routes like the Gwaun Valley loop from Fishguard. Explore the Road Cycling Routes around Cwm Gwaun guide for more options.

Yes, Pwllgwaelod Beach is a beautiful, sheltered cove located to the southwest of Dinas Island. It features dark sand and shingle, rockpools, and offers lovely views towards Fishguard. It's also home to the historic Old Sailors pub.

The diverse woodlands and river environment of Cwm Gwaun support a variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot species such as pied flycatchers, wood warblers, redstarts, marsh tits, nuthatches, and treecreepers. Along the river, you might see dippers and grey wagtails. More elusive mammals like otters, polecats, and dormice also inhabit the valley.

Beyond the hillforts, Cwm Gwaun has several ancient sites. Parc Y Meirw (Field of the Dead), located above the valley, contains a stone row that may be connected to the bluestones of Stonehenge. Additionally, the Llanychllwydog Pillar Stones, with their carved crosses, are visible from the road and are believed to be Christianizations of earlier beliefs.

The Dyffryn Arms (Bessie's Pub) in Pontfaen is a famous Grade II-listed village pub, known for its old-world charm. Near Pwllgwaelod Beach, you'll find the historic Old Sailors pub, which has been serving visitors for over 500 years.