Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, designated park area in south-western Wales, Great Britain, established in 1952. Its total area of 620 sq km (240 sq mi) comprises four separate mainland areas and several islands, stretching south from the Teifi estuary to St Govan’s Head, and to St David’s Head in the west. It is the smallest of the national parks, and unique in that it is the only park in Britain that is largely coastal; the mainland sections are all within 16 km (10 mi) of the sea, and two of them lie on a plateau about 60 m (200 ft) above sea level. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is about 290 km (180 mi) long and runs mainly along the coastline, from Amroth in the south-west to St Dogmaels overlooking the Teifi, with the exception of a detour in the south-west of the park to avoid part of the military firing ranges at Castlemartin.

The cliffs, gorges, and drowned valleys were formed by marine erosion about 2 million years ago; the limestone arch known as the Green Bridge of Wales and the free-standing limestone columns of the Stack Rocks and Eulegug Stacks, in the sea near Flimston Down, are perhaps the most spectacular. Daugleddau, a tidal estuary south-east of Haverfordwest, is famous for the rich and varied bird life found there. The highest point in the park is Foel Cwm Cerwyn at 536 m (1,760 ft); it is in the north in the Preseli Mountains, from where the bluestones used to build part of Stonehenge were transported about 2200 bc. The Altar Stone is believed to have come from near Milford Haven, close to the western section of the park. Five of the islands in the park are nature reserves, dedicated to the conservation of puffins, Manx shearwaters, fulmars, and other seabirds, and, on Ramsey, grey seals. The park also contains a number of ruined castles and the medieval cathedral and bishop’s palace at the cathedral city of St David’s.