Coast, Palace and Gardens - 8th February 2020

Fifteen ramblers set off in early spring sunshine on Saturday for a 12-mile walk starting from Freshwater East.  

The group threaded their way through the dunes and up into the village before turning left and heading to Portclew.

From Portclew they took a pretty path following a brook down into Lamphey village.  Coffee was taken in the historic and picturesque surroundings of Lamphey Palace before heading past the sewage works and on to the Ridgeway.

From the Ridgeway the ramblers took a bridleway up through Lamphey Park.  A brief stop was made to admire the walled garden and old fashioned pig sties.

The group emerged on to the ridgeway and then proceeded right along the Milton road towards the Glom.  After a couple of hundred yards the ramblers left the road and took a little used footpath down to Houghton farm.  They enjoyed spectacular views of the whole of south Pembrokeshire with Tenby to the east and the Cleddau and the Preselis to the north.  

Lunch was taken in a sheltered valley before the group headed through Hays farm and on to the ridgeway.  From here the ramblers dropped down into Manorbier Newton then took the green lane to Jameston.

The walkers joined the coast at Swanlake.  By this time the gales which had been forecast were starting to hit the coast and while the view was dramatic and the waves impressive it was decided it would be prudent to take an inland route back to Freshwater East rather than brave the windblown clifftops.

Richly deserved refreshments were enjoyed in the Longhouse after and everyone agreed it had been a great day out.