Our next walk was the section between Trewent Holiday Village at Freshwater East heading east to Manorbier.
This was a return to Trewent Park as we had stayed there a few times in the distant past over 15 years ago. It’s a nice holiday village and Freshwater East Bay is exactly as we remember from years past, a superb wide arc of sandy beach flanked on each side by sloping hillsides. Although we are not sure we had too many days like this all those years ago, super fine weather with hardly a cloud in a clear blue sky!
This walk begins from a narrow wood footbridge near to Trewent Park, and the path runs through the dunes behind the beach and then climbs uphill. The photo below was taken on the hillside with a great view of the series of headlands along the coastline which gradually “step” into the distance towards Manorbier in the distance.
Continuing to climb uphill and through woodland, there’s a clearing with a viewpoint overlooking the beach and provides a fine view of the natural arc of the bay and the Trewent Point headland opposite.
Continuing onwards and the wooded hillside gives way to open fields as this next section of path trails along the top of gently sloping cliffs and there are outstanding coastal views to Freshwater East in the far distance.
There are occasional surprises too as the path skims near the edge in places, above some steep cliff sides with dramatic sheer rock features which contrast with the lovely turquoise hued waters.
As the walk continues along the cliff tops, Swanlake Bay comes into view and with the backdrop of countless farm fields into the distance it’s stunning scenery of both coast and countryside.
We walked on to Swanlake Bay and headed down onto the deserted beach with the only sound being the waves gently breaking on to the shore. Just a perfect scene.
Back on the path and there’s a climb across a sloping hillside (the track can be seen on the photo above) to reach a headland. Pausing here and taking in the view back to the bay is enough to “stop you in your tracks” (and we did), it is simply stunning scenery.
Walking onwards we reach another headland and Manorbier Bay comes into view, albeit obscured by a mid morning mist rolling in low over the sea for a dramatic effect. The path meanders downhill steeply here and creates a sort of zigzag effect as it descends.
From this point onwards the path follows along the gentle sloping ground high above the rugged and rocky coastline. There are open views on the approach to Manorbier Beach with fine views of the headland known as “Priest’s Nose” on the opposite side of the bay.
On reaching Manorbier Beach a weekend holiday crowd are arriving to take advantage of the exceptionally fine weather. You could argue that this is perhaps a beach scene as good as any in the med!
From the beach car park we made our way up the hill past the castle to the Beach Break Tearooms in the village, for the post walk essentials: coffee, tea and cake.
This was a very enjoyable walk along a beautiful section of scenic coastline with some wonderful views under lovely clear blue skies. This walk, a distance of just under 4 miles, brings to 21 miles now completed with 165 miles further to go on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
