Neyland and Llanstadwell
Neyland is a small town on the northern shore of the Milford Haven Waterway a few miles east of Milford Haven. The town grew up around the railway.
Picture: Neyland Marina
It was in April 1856, when the South Wales Railway, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, officially opened at Neyland. Before the railway came, the population was less than 200. By 1861 it was over a thousand. It was hoped that Neyland would become a significant port but that was never really achieved, although steamship routes were operated between Neyland and Ireland, Portugal and Brasil. Ireland ferry services transferred to Fishguard when the harbour was developed there at which time Neyland became a fishing port.
Picture: The Brunel Cafe at Neyland Marina
The railway line closed in 1964 and has since become The Brunel Cycleway, which follows the route of an old railway line to Johnston and continues on a more winding but still off-road route all the way to Haverfordwest. Westfield Pill, alongside the cycleway, is a teeming nature reserve run by the wildlife trust for west Wales.
Picture: Information Board at Westfield Pill
Picture: The Quayside at Neyland
Where the railway terminus once stood, a marina has been developed. There’s a bar, restaurant and chandlery at the Marina. Businesses that operate out of Neyland Marina include Pembrokeshire Dive Charters, Pembrokeshire Boat Charters, Pembrokeshire Cruising, Angling boat charters, Dale sailing who run the Skomer Island boats and Shearwater Safari Wildlife Adventures. There are also boat trips that take you up river as well as out to see the offshore islands.
Picture: The satue of Brunel on the quayside at Neyland
A statue of Brunel commemorates Neylands most famous developer is near the car park on the quayside.
Neyland Yacht Club is alongside The Promenade on the Llanstadwell side of Neyland.
Picture: The Promenade at Neyland looking towards Llanstadwell
Llanstadwell
Further west of Neyland, along the waterfront is the pretty linear village of Llanstadwell. The most remarkable features are the church, dedicated to St Tudwal and The Ferry Boat Inn at the end of the village, which benefits from splendid views over the Milford Haven waterway.
The nearest hotels to Neyland and Llanstadwell would be in Milford Haven or just outside Burton. The Ferry Inn at llanstadwell provide accommodation as well as meals or there are one or two B&B’s in the vicinity including Neyland Court. The nearest camp sites, touring caravan sites or holiday parks would be further afield.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes through both Neyland and Llanstadwell.