ST GOVAN’S HEAD, RANGE EAST
Landowner
The Ministry of Defence. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
lease the Car Park and the area to the foreshore.
Facilities
- Car Park.
- Emergency Telephones.
- Wheel chair access to the cliff top and to
Stack Rocks along the coast path is possible, it is however
a roughly surfaced path.
Description
The site lies within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a
Special Protection Area and candidate Special Area of Conservation.
It qualifies as a Special Protection Area because of the amount
of breeding chough pairs it supports. The cliffs also provide
nest sites for Guillemots, Razorbill and Peregrine.
Some of the best examples of coastal cliff forms in Britain occur
between the Wash and St. Govan’s Head. Weak points in the
rock have produced features such as the Green Bridge of Wales,
Elegug Stacks and Huntsman’s Leap.
St. Govan’s Chapel, built in the 12th Century is found at
the base of the cliffs.
Information on the chapel (and the area from Stack Rocks to Stackpole
Quay) can be found on the board in the car park. The steps down
to the Chapel are steep/uneven and can be slippery in the wet.
As well as being a live firing range the site is well used by
rock climbers, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Climbing
routes have been put up along extensive parts of the coastline.
Note that agreed climbing restrictions also cover some of the
cliffs; details of these can be found in the notice boards in
the car park and in the ‘Agreed Cliff Climbing Restriction’
leaflet. A ‘no bolting’ ethic covers all the sea cliffs
in the area. ‘Gardening ‘ destroys vulnerable crevice
and ledge communities and must be avoided. Some areas of cliff
top have become badly eroded at popular climbing sites; please
avoid extending the damage by concentrating activities in these
areas.
There are many sites suitable for sea angling but again nest sites
should not be disturbed.
Important Information
MOD Information
The Range is used for live firing, visitors must comply with
the instructions and byelaws contained on the notice boards. Red
flags fly at times of firing when access to the site is forbidden.
The coast path will be redirected when firing is occurring. No
access is allowed to Range West without permission of the MOD
and a range briefing must be attended. Firing times are available
in local newspapers.
Access from the car park is along the coast path, the coastal
track is marked with white stakes, visitors must keep to the seaward
side of the stakes. This marks the area which has been cleared.
Belays must not be attached to MOD property and permission from
the land owner must be sought before putting in permanent belay
fixtures.
Other Information
Visitors should be aware of steep cliffs and blowholes.
The coast path running west does not have an exit for 5 km.
The coast path will be redirected via the road to Bosherston or
around the lily ponds when firing is occurring.
Dogs should be kept under control so as not to cause disturbance
to other people, wildlife or livestock.
Camping is not permitted in the area.
Cyclists and horse riders may only ride on the designated bridleway
and should stay off the cliff top.
Useful Contact Numbers
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park –
0845 345 7275
- Milford Haven Coast Guard – 01646 690909
- Countryside Council for Wales - 01646 636736
- Castlemartin Camp - During Firing (Tower)
- 01646 662336, Day Light hours (Range Office) - 01646 662287
Out of Hours (Guard Room) - 01646 662367
EMERGENCY TELEPHONES
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