PORTHMAWR / WHITESANDS & ST DAVIDS HEAD

Landowner

St Davids Head - National Trust
Car Park - St Davids City Council
Beach Chapel Field & Rams Nose - Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Facilities

Car Park - Charge payable to St Davids City council (seasonal only).
Toilets.
Lifeguards - Summer Season only, with First Aid point out of season.
Porthmawr Surf Lifesaving club may have members operating on busy weekends.
Café.
Telephone.
Slipway.
There is a Youth Hostel at Llaethdy.

Description

Whitesand/Porthmawr. A storm beach awarded blue flag status for its water quality. Open to our prevailing westerly weather pattern and subject to ocean swell. The beach itself is ecologically extremely robust and well able to withstand recreational pressure. However the relic dunes behind are very vulnerable and the cliffs and low headland to the north are home to a particularly rare spider as well as being geologically and botanically important.
Historically small craft would have traded from the beach and there are the remains of a Celtic chapel dedicated to St Patrick’s next to the car park.
The beach, dunes and flanking low cliffs are all in the care of the National Park.
St Davids Head. A wild and dramatic place. The hard igneous rocks of this bold headland are home to some nationally rare birds and plants and the whole area is a site of special scientific interest; of particular interest are the very fragile and vulnerable crevice/ledge plant communities (climbers please note).
Man has lived here since earliest times and the remains of a burial chamber and promontory fort are still obvious. Their importance is reflected in designation as scheduled ancient monuments.
The land is in the ownership of the National Trust and managed primarily for conservation.
The site is well used as a study area for geology students, care should be taken by groups using the area. Hammering and the removal of samples is forbidden.
Much of the site is common land.

Activities

Surfing. A long established surfing venue, Whitesands seems to work around high water. The strong rip off the Rams Nose can be very powerful particularly at high water and should be treated with respect. Beware of isolated rocky boulders particularly at the northern end of the beach and remains of a wrecked ship at low water, southern end of the beach. The beach and break can become very crowded over peak periods. A system of zoning is operated July to August by seasonal lifeguards. To minimise conflict with surfers and kayakers a leaflet has been produced which contains a reminder of surfing etiquette. (Available from Information Centres, car park attendant or beach café).
Kayaking. Kayaks are increasingly using Whitesands. Beginners and large groups however can be a hazard to other users and on busy days Newgale is a satisfactory and much safer option.
Climbing. St Davids Head is composed of a number of cliffs mainly north and west facing. Many of the routes are quite serious and not easy to locate. Much of the head is neither suited to nor used by instructional groups.
Seasonal restrictions for nesting birds exist on Craig Coetan Mur Cenhinen and Coastguard Ledge (from 1st February - 31st July. For further details see guidebook or on site notices).
The area is covered by the following guidebooks:
‘Climber Club Guide to Wales - Pembroke’ by John Harwood, Dave Viggars.
Fishing. There are popular fishing sites at St Davids Head, Porthmelgan and Penlledwen, there are established tracks running to these sites, these should be used rather than forming new ones.

Important Information

Parking for vehicles and trailers is restricted to the car park at Whitesands. Vehicles may use the beach only for the launching and retrieval of boats. Public access to St Davids Head is via the coast path though a number of footpaths make circular walks possible.

Notes

Porthmawr/Whitesands
Dog ban on Whitesands Beach May - September.
Please use the zoning system when in operation.
Weaver fish can be a hazard, particularly at low tide.
Please learn and abide by surfing etiquette.

St Davids Head
Please use toilets before taking a group out to the headland.
Regular Group users should contact the National Trust or National Park to discuss further site details before use.
Gardening destroys valuable crevice/ledge plant communities and should be avoided.
Please try to keep to hard rock surfaces rather than vegetated areas when briefing or setting up routes.
Do not move rocks or stones associated with the promontory fort.
Please be particularly careful following dry weather not to start fires.

Useful Contact Numbers

The National Trust – 01646 661359
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – 0845 345 7275
Countryside Council for Wales - 01646 636736
Cambria Archaeology - 01558 823121
Llaethdy Youth Hostel - 01437 720345

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE INSIDE WHITESANDS LIFESAVING BUILDING, PUBLIC TELEPHONES IN CAR PARK