Discover the beaches at Manorbier
Swanlake Bay is just outside Manorbier. It’s shingle on high tide, but on low tide, you can see golden sand and rock pools, with low cliffs providing shelter. The beach is dog-friendly and a perfect place to take your pooch. Check the tide times to ensure you get plenty of beach time, and park near the farm entrance so you can walk down a track.
Further west is Freshwater East, also known as Fresh East, a wide sandy beach with dunes and a headland. It was a smugglers’ paradise in the past, but it is now popular with water sports enthusiasts, with Fresh Adventure activity centre offering coasteering, kayaking, and surfing.
Shrinkle Haven, located east of Manorbier, is a small and secluded beach facing southeast. However, access to the beach is challenging and limited due to the presence of an army firing range. One notable feature of the beach is a magnificent natural arch northeast of the main cove. Additionally, there are picnic tables available on the clifftop.
Explore castles and monuments
The medieval castle in Manorbier was built in 11th century by a Norman knight and the great hall remains the oldest stone building at any castle in west Wales. It has a chapel, round tower and gatehouse; there are numerous stairs, rooms and battlements to explore and an inner ward laid out as gardens. There is a huge expanse of well-tended level lawn, which just begs you to take a snooze on a sunny afternoon. The castle was one of the locations for The Chronicles of Narnia and for the 2003 movie I Capture the Castle. Many ancient stone tools (microliths) have been unearthed in this area and there are various bronze and iron-age remains.
In the village is the restored Bier House, now an information point for visitors. On the Coast Path to the east, it’s worth visiting the King’s Quoit cromlech which dates back to around 3000BC. Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is good in either direction. And there’s a train line which runs from Manorbier to Tenby or Pembroke Dock to the east.
Culinary delights in Manorbier
The only pub in Manorbier, The Castle Inn, serves meals or you can pop up the road to the Swan Lake Inn at Jameston which has a large selection of home cooked traditional meals. Tea rooms can be found at Manorbier Garden Centre and at Swan Lake Farm.
Behind Fresh East beach is Trewent Park holiday village with restaurant/bar; whilst overlooking the beach is The Freshwater Inn. You can also try the village of Lamphey, two miles away. It has bakery, shop/post office, garage and two restaurants. The Lamphey Hall Hotel’s restaurant has a good reputation for traditional grub and The Lamphey Court Hotel opens its restaurant and spa to non-residents.
The Lydstep Tavern has a good pub food menu with veggie and gluten free options.
Memorable Manorbier cottages
Whether you’re exploring Manorbier with your family, pets, or a partner, West Wales Holiday Cottages provides an array of self-catering accommodations that truly feel like a home away from home. From spacious beach houses and modern apartments to cosy cottages, our carefully selected lodgings are inviting, comfortable, and have been specially selected to enhance your getaway.
Manorbier is a haven for pet lovers, and we offer various pet-friendly options so nobody gets left behind.
Our favourite things to do in and around Manorbier
- Visiting the Castle and the Beer House
- Walking to The Kings Quoit on the coastal path
- Grabbing a pub lunch at the Castle Inn
- Sampling the in-house coffee at Beach Break Tea rooms
Explore nearby areas:
- See more in Pembrokeshire
