Freshwater East
DETAILS
Freshwater East
6.7 miles from the cottage
Rugged, unspoilt and a delightful place for a whole day beach trip
Freshwater East is one of our favourite beaches close to the cottage. Only 20 mins from Old Barn Cottage, this is one of the more rugged and wild beaches in South Pembrokeshire. With a huge expanse of beautiful sand and backed by dunes, this beach is not unlike those you find off the beaten track in France.
The colours here are absolutely beautiful, a real tonic for the soul. With big skies over the waves across the wide bay, it really doesn't feel like a typical UK beach. A huge expanse of sand backed by blowing grasses across the dunes, the natural world here is very impressive.
Driving past some of the most incredible houses to get to the beach is also a treat. How wonderful to live here and get to look out on such a scene. Fabulous for all seasons this beach is well worth a visit.
Ideal for SUP, beach BBQ’s and frisbee!
As I’ve mentioned before, we prefer a more natural and unspoilt beach and ‘Fresh East’, as the locals call it, does not disappoint. There are no shops or kiosks nearby, making this a wonderfully rustic and secluded bay. There is usually an Ice cream van, in the car park, during the summer months and that really is it.
There is ample space in the car parks and although they get busy in the summer months, we’ve never been stuck for a space here. More importantly a busy car park doesn’t mean a full beach.
Once parked, cross the road and take the path that leads through the dunes, past the very basic toilet block and onto the beach. As you approach the beach you’ll find an inlet that runs onto the beach and out to sea, perfect for dam builders. There’s a cute wooden bridge that takes you over the inlet and onto the west side of the beach or you can remain on the east side, which is the largest stretch of sand.
There are winding paths to explore through the dunes, perfect for an Autumn or Winter stroll. The colours here are stunning and I always feel away from it all on this beach, surrounded by the great outdoors with all the sights and sounds of the sea.
Summer time at Fresh East
In the summer we tend to set up camp for a whole day experience at Freshwater East; beach canopy, wind breaks, cooler and mini beach BBQ is just the ticket. SUP is popular here and we enjoy it for that. We’ve never seen a full beach here, there’s always plenty of space for all. Bat and ball or frisbee is usually happening in multiple places across the sand.
The sheltered position of the beach makes it ideal for a sunny hot day in and out of the sea. The back drop of dunes blowing gently in the sea breeze is always a treat on holiday, as already mentioned, not unlike those beaches you may have experienced abroad. On the west side of the bay is a collection of rocks to clamber over. If you’re lucky you may even spot some sea life left by the tide.
Freshwater East Burrows and Marsh
In the colder months we love to go for a walk through the dunes and have recently discovered that there’s a nature reserve behind Freshwater East Beach called Freshwater East Burrows and Marsh. We haven’t explored this yet, but it sounds lovely and will definitely be on our list to visit in future.
You’ll find the Burrows in the dunes behind the beach and may even be lucky enough to spot the Welsh mountain ponies as they graze here. The Burrows are also known to be home to wild orchids, a true biophilic treat. The Marsh is on the far side of the car park and accessed by wooden boardwalks. With a bird hide and pond, with places to go pond dipping, you are sure to see plenty of wildlife here. All of which sounds idyllic and off the beaten tourist track. I can’t offer first hand experience here, only a nudge to have a look for yourselves.
May we take this moment to encourage you to tread lightly around the dunes, please treat them with care and respect. Climate change and looking after the planet is on all of our minds and never more important than when we are borrowing someone else’s locality. Take care with the dunes and always use bbq’s responsibly - never leaving one unattended.
I hope this is enough information to persuade you that ‘Fresh East’ is worth a visit. Whether it’s during the Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, Freshwater East is always worth a moment (or longer). Whether in bathing suits or walking boots it is a delight. We highly recommend a trip here.