The Gwaun Valley The Gwaun Valley runs inland from Lower Town Fishguard towards The Preseli Mountains. The Gwaun Valley was created by torrents of meltwater from the retreating ice during the last Ice Age to leave a steep sided verdant valley. Picture: The Gwaun Valley at PontfaenThe Gwaun Valley is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and has a unique atmosphere and an abundance of wildlife and prehistoric sites. The people in the hamlets of Pontfaen and Llanychaer uphold a unique tradition - they still celebrate New Year's Day on 13th January according to the old Gregorian calendar! Picture: The Gwaun ValleyNearby attractions include the occasionally open Dyffryn Fernant gardens at the Fishguard end of the valley and Pen Lan Uchaf gardens at the other. Picture: Sychbant Picnic SiteThere’s a smart picnic site with a pond and toilets at Sychbant or if you carry on up the valley, you come to Cilgwyn where there’s a candle centre. Cilrhedyn Woodland Centre, run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, is well worth a visit on its limited open days throughout the holiday season. Picture: Cilgwyn Candles at the north end of The Gwaun ValleyAccommodation in The Gwaun Valley itself is limited. There is a hotel at Gelli Fawr on the southern side of the valley, there’s a touring caravan site at Llanychaer towards Fishguard and there are quite a few self catering cottages available in the Gwaun Valley too. The pub at Pontfaen, The Dyffryn Arms, is run by the formidable Bessie Davies, a real local character. The pub is a time capsule of a bygone era. The bar is the front room of Bessies house and the beer is served through a hatch straight from the barrel. Its well worth a visit for the experience but don’t expect anything fancy. Beer is all you’ll get.