St. Ishmael's (puffin shuttle) walking and hiking route

Start/Car Parking - HPB St Bride's Castle.

This linear walk makes use of the Puffin Shuttle bus which calls at St Bride's Castle three times daily in season, (on only three days each week out of season), in the direction of Milford Haven. After calling at Marloes and Dale the bus heads for St Ishmael's village, stopping at the Brook Inn.

The return on foot is very varied, using minor roads, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a shingle beach and country footpaths to return to St. Bride's. There are ascents on the coast path and again after crossing Mullock Bridge. Neither is unduly steep or prolonged. Stiles include three of the traditional high stone variety.

The views enjoyed on this walk include lovely coastal scenery, including the islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Gateholm.

Walk Instructions

Facing the Brook Inn, walk along the road to the left, with a stream on the right. Go straight ahead at the next junction onto Grove Road and continue uphill for approximately one mile.

1) At a 'T' junction turn left to walk along a minor road, quite steeply downhill, soon passing an informal woodland car park below to the left. Go between gate posts with a 'to the coast path' sign to pass the church on the left, then behind the Manor. The delightful path heads for the sea, between woodland and pond, with abundant wild flowers.

2) At the back of Monk Haven, with its great wall, turn right at a signpost to commence the ascent of the coast path; the views across Dale Roads include St Ann's Head and Dale village. The coast path is narrow but always adequate. Reach a wall with a waymarked gate and pass behind cottages. There are more gates; cross an access road and continue.

Pass a farm building to yet another gate, soon reaching a garage and the bottom end of a road, with signpost.

3) Turn left, through another gate, to walk down to the shore. Turn right. The way is now over shingle at the edge of the estuary, a great area for bird watchers but a little uncomfortable under foot, for about a half mile.

4) At a signpost turn right, along a broad track following the waterway for some distance before bending to the right, rising inland. Pass White Holmes Farm.

5) In a further 100m. turn left at a little gate with a coast path waymark. Pass another gate with signpost and along the right edge of a meadow. There are more gates and stiles as the path rises towards Mullock. After more gates and a house on the left reach the public highway close to Mullock.

6) Turn left to walk along the roadside for approximately half a mile, descending to Mullock Bridge, with the old road and bridge to the left. Cross the bridge and, as the road bends left towards Dale, go over a waymarked stile on the right. There is a signpost but the route bears more to the left, ascending quite steeply, with a fence to the left, to a gate/stile.

Carry on along the left edge of a cultivated field, go right at a signpost at the top, then left at another signpost, over a stile, to cross the middle of a meadow, rising gently. There are more gates/stiles as the buildings of Winterton Farm come into view.

Marloes village is to the left.

7) Go through a waymarked gate into the farmyard, passing between farm buildings. At the far end turn right at a signpost, through a little gate. Rise gently, diagonally across a large meadow, to a signposted gate at the top. Continue, heading for Fopston Farm ahead. St. Bride's Castle is in view. Pass through the farm and carry on along the access road.

As the road bends right and a roadway to the left goes to Eastfield Farm, go over a stile on the left to follow a path along the edge of woodland, over several traditional stone stiles and along the bottom edges of several fields. Go through old kissing gates to cross a lane and carry on to the bottom of the St. Bride's Castle drive.

9) Turn left to return to the castle.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.