This walk covers the coast and countryside of the Angle Peninsula in South Pembrokeshire. The start point was the beach car park at West Angle Bay, situated at the end of the road from Angle village.

This walk is an 11 mile circular route, following the coast path southwards to Freshwater West, before heading inland across countryside, onto East Angle Bay and around the coast to finish back at West Angle Bay.

West Angle

From West Angle Bay we take the coast path along the edge of fields above the coastline on a gentle climb overlooking the bay and sparkling waters.

The track continues to a headland, reaching the historic ruins of an old defensive lookout ‘East Blockhouse’, with wonderful views from here across the waterway to the Dale Peninsula.

A highlight here was sighting a peregrine falcon in full flight and swooping to ground in an awesome display. Around the headland, a sign cautions coast walkers that the 3.4 miles ahead is a “challenging stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path”.

The walk does indeed become challenging as the landscape terrain changes with a few strenuous hillclimbs and descents. The path winds above and around many scenic bays to make this an enjoyable walk, though it certainly stretches the old calf muscles!

It’s worth the effort though, with magnificent views of richly coloured, rugged, dramatic cliffs and small bays, along this beautiful, scenic coastline.

Freshwater West

The approach to Freshwater West is incredibly scenic and justifies our decision to walk this section North to South. The coast path’s high vantage point, steadily descending towards the bay, offers a superb view across the magnificent golden sands and the famous Atlantic ‘rollers’ which make this beach a popular surfers spot.

We walked down then across to the far end of the beach, an invigorating walk to fully appreciate the wonderful arc of Freshwater West.

Angle countryside

Freshwater West beach is backed by extensive sand dunes, and after picking out a suitable track we followed along the narrow road until a public path is way marked uphill. This path leads across lovely countryside and farm fields, to reach a ridgeway which offers a stunning panoramic view down and across the Freshwater West coastline.

We walked along a country lane, passing the ‘Rocket Cart House’, which has a prominent lookout tower. In the 19th century the tower was used to identify ships in distress in the Angle Bay waterway. A ‘rocket cart’ would then be sent down to the bay and a rocket with a lifeline attached would be fired towards the ship to rescue sailors in distress. So a vitally important, lifesaving service of its time, and today a nice home with some historical interest.

East Angle Bay

A country lane heads downhill to join the coast path on a trail through pleasant woodland around East Angle Bay. There’s a tidal inlet with sailing and fishing boats on the banks, while just inland is another building of historical interest, an unusual 14th Century ‘Tower House’.

Continuing around the bay we reach The Old Point House Inn and we enjoyed a drink here, taking in the view from the beer garden overlooking Angle bay.

This old pub dates back to the 16th Century and has been given a new lease of life in 2023 as the ‘Cafe Mor’ catering company of Pembrokeshire has taken it on.

Back on the coast path above the Milford Haven waterway, the views are generally obscured on this section by hedgerows as the path tracks along fields, above the wooded banks of the shore. Nearing West Angle the views open up once more, particularly of Thorn Island, yet another of Pembrokeshire’s Napoleonic era forts.

Thorn Island fort is a substantial structure and it looks like it would make a suitable setting for a villain in a Bond movie!

The path descends to West Angle Bay, completing this walk back at the start point. Set back from the beach is a superb cabin cafe, The Wavecrest, a lovely place with seating both inside and outside, perfect for relaxing with drinks & snacks after completing this coastal walk.

Route Recap

> This circular walk covered 11.4 miles of the Angle Peninsula.

> Start and finish at West Angle Bay beachfront car park.