Cycle Pembrokeshire

The Trail enables users to have a flavour of the rich maritime heritage of the Milford Haven waterway, praised by Admiral Nelson as one of the finest deep water harbours in the world. Heritage centres and museums are conveniently located alongside the route. These focus on the maritime history of both Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock from Quaker whaling times through two World Wars to the development of modern industries and waterside leisure facilities. The trail is nearly all off-road with superb haven views from two high level bridges

Fact file

Trail Directions (distances in miles)

0.0 Start. Turn right out of the car park and follow the road around to the left. A more pleasant alternative would be to push your bike for a short distance along the walkway immediately adjacent to the marina. This runs alongside a number of cafes and independent shops. At the end of the red bricked buildings you will pass the Milford Haven Heritage and Maritime Museum on your right. After an optional visit, continue on past the museum and join the lower path on the marina side of the road. Keep on the red surfaced section of path. Cross over to the path that runs under the bridge and then turn right onto the road. At the next junction turn left and cycle over a Zebra Crossing. The road bears right and after about 200 yards join the cycle path (Priory Path) on the left which takes you alongside the tidal inlet known as Hubberston Pill

1.3 Turn right along the minor road through Lower Priory. The remains of the 12^th Century Pill Priory can be seen on the right. Carry on under the railway bridge and up the hill to join a cycle path on the left, followed immediately by a road crossing. Continue in the same direction along the path on the opposite side of the road. After nearly ¹/₂ mile the path crosses over to the left hand side of the road again. The uphill gradient of the path eases as you approach Steynton

2.5 At Steynton traffic lights, cross the road to the right, then cross the main A4076 road on the traffic lights. Turn left onto the cycle path at the end of the crossing and follow this around to the right opposite the Horse and Jockey pub. Continue on this path for over a mile

3.7 At Sentry Cross Roundabout, cross the junction and continue on the cycle path

5.5 At Honeyborough Roundabout, cross the junction and continue on the cycle path. After ¹/₂ mile the path leads you over the Westfield Pill Bridge with glorious views down to Neyland Marina and the Brunel Cycle Trail which runs alongside the marina to and from the famous Brunel Quay. Exercise care whilst cycling over this bridge as the path is narrow. A further ³/₄ mile and the Trail runs along the high level Cleddau Bridge with magnificent views downstream of most of the Milford Haven waterway. A picnic site on the right after passing through the bridge toll plaza (no charge for cyclists) gives you more time to admire the panoramic view over the Haven. Continue on the path down the hill. It soon merges into a narrow road which widens alongside a row of cottages on the right. Continue on this road alongside the cottages and join the cycle path just before the main road junction. Follow the path adjacent to the roundabout and beyond (do not cross the road immediately after the roundabout)

7.9 Cross the road at the traffic signals and then turn right to follow the path alongside Tesco car park. 250 yards beyond the traffic lights turn left into King William Street. After 50 yards turn right (the cycle path to the left from this junction leads you to Pembroke Dock Railway Station)

8.2 Turn right and cycle along the path for a short distance before crossing the road just prior to the roundabout. Follow the path alongside the roundabout in the direction of the Ferry symbol sign. Note the interesting 19^th Century pump house in the middle of the roundabout

8.4 Cross at the signalled crossing, turn left and then right into Front Street. This was the first street to be built in Pembroke Dock, and you will soon pass the Maritime Heritage Museum on the right followed by the Martello Gun Tower. At the Shipwright Inn (the last of 7 or more drinking establishments that once existed in Front Street) follow the road around to the left and join the cycle path on the right just after the entrance into Pembroke Port. The path runs alongside the old Royal Dockyard perimeter wall. Once inside the dockyard you will see the Garrison Chapel on your right through the blue fencing. This is now the home of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. The entrance to the Centre is a little further on. After an optional visit, turn around and follow the same route all the way back to Milford Haven

18.0 Finish. Nelson Quay Car Park, Milford Marina

Points of interest along the way

Milford Haven Heritage and Maritime Museum

Housed in the town’s oldest building, the Custom House which dates back to 1797. Your visit will take you from rural Georgian Pembrokeshire, to the arrival of whalers from Nantucket Island, from deep sea fishing, through the wars of the 20^th Century and on to the present day oil and gas industries. Entry charges apply. See website for further details: Milford Waterfront 

Pill Priory

The remains of the 12^th Century Priory are located near the head of Hubberston Pill at Lower Priory. It was founded for monks of the Order of Tiron, who afterwards became Benedictines. All that now remains is the chancel arch and some fragments of the walls, some of which are built into adjoining properties including The Priory Inn

Cleddau Bridge

This steel box-girder structure spans the river Cleddau between Neyland and Pembroke Dock. It is over ¹/₂ mile long and was built between 1967 and 1974 to replace a long established ferry service. From the Trail there are amazing views of the estuary from Brunel Quay at Neyland all the way across the Haven to the stacks of Valero Refinery in the distance

Maritime Heritage Museum

The West Wales Maritime Heritage Society operates this small museum in the historical Hancock’s ship building yard adjacent to the Trail in Front Street, Pemboke Dock. It provides an interesting insight into shipbuilding not only in Hancock’e yard but all along the Haven, together with associated trades and occupations. It is open most days in the summer from 10am until 4pm and entry is free. Check the Society’s website for more up to date information: West Wales Maritime Heritage             

The Gun Tower

An impressive stone structure built in 1849 and one of 7 similar towers built around the Haven to repel foreign fleets. The building actually looks like 3 towers joined together and is 3 stories in height. It has a basement containing the magazine and the ground floor houses the main gun battery. There are three 32 pounder cannons on the roof. The gun tower contains a museum run by the Pembroke Dock Museum Trust but, at the time of writing in late 2018, is closed due to water damage

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

Housed in the Garrison Chapel built in 1831 and considered to be the only Classical Georgian church in Wales. The displays inside focus on the military, maritime and social history of Pembroke Dock. They tell the story of the town from its origins as Wales’ only Royal Dockyard where over 260 vessels were built including 5 Royal Yachts. Later in the town’s history, the Royal Air Force based squadrons of flying-boats in the adjacent Haven and the town became the world’s largest military flying boat station, playing a vital role in the WWll Battle of the Atlantic. Entry charges apply. See website for further details: Sunderland Trust