Dinas (including Dinas Cross, Dinas Head, Pwllgwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys)
Dinas Cross village is a long linear settlement mid way between Fishguard and Newport. The village itself is pretty, with some neat stone built cottages set back from the road. There’s also a garage, a good village shop and a pub called The Ship Aground.
Picture: The remains of the church at Cwm yr Eglwys
At the Newport end of the village, a lane takes you to the wonderful little cove at Cwm yr Eglwys. All that remains of the church that gives Cwm yr Eglwys its name is the west wall and belfry. The rest was destroyed by the great storm of 1859 that was also responsible for throwing up the pebble banks at Aber Mawr, Newgale and various other beaches.
Picture: Sunset on Cwm yr Eglwys beach
Cwm yr Eglwys beach is mostly sandy with plenty of rockpools to explore and rocks to clamber over. It’s also east facing which provides sheltered bathing if the prevailing south westerly wind is blowing or the surf is up.
In the centre of Dinas Cross is another lane leading to the beach at Pwllgwaelod. This beach is wide and open with fine dark sand. There’s a slipway for launching dinghies. Behind the beach is The Sailors Safety pub. This pub was visited by Dylan Thomas at least once.
Picture: Pwllgwaelod beach with the Sailors Safety pub behind.
The low lying neck of land between Pwllgwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys is all that secures National Trust owned Dinas ‘island’ to the mainland. A wide, flat footpath suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs links the two contrasting coves.
Picture: The Sailors Safety at Pwllgwaelod
Walking round The Coast Path around Dinas Island is very satisfying and shows off The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park at its best. Dinas Head is 142 metres or 465 feet above sea level so it can be hard going but the views are worth the effort. Doing the route in a clockwise direction gives a great descent back down to Cwm yr Eglwys with some fine views towards Newport.
The continuation of The Coast Path in either direction provides some good walking and some lovely ‘secret’ coves.
Picture: Pwllgwaelod from The Coast Path
Dinas Cross backs onto some low hills, outlying foothills of The Preseli Mountains. These provide some spectacular viewpoints. Turn uphill near the garage to find a viewpoint car park.
There aren’t any hotels in Dinas. You would have to go to Fishguard to find a hotel, although there is plenty of choice there. There are a few B&B’s or guesthouses in and around Dinas. There are also a few camp sites, touring caravan sites and a few sites where you can rent a self catering static caravan too. There are lots of self catering cottages all along this part of the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Beach Awards
Cwm yr Eglwys beach has a Green Coast Award and a Seaside Award. The green coast award is similar to a Blue Flag Award but for rural beaches. Blue flag status requires a extensive facilities such as lifeguards, dog controls and refreshment facilities as well as the highest level of water quality. Rural beaches like Cwm yr Eglwys have the same level of water quality but because of their rural location, don't have many of the facilities on the shore. The beaches are just as good but they aren't spoilt by unsightly development.
Pwllgwaelod beach isn't tested for water quality.