Druidston Haven Beach
NEED TO KNOW
Type of beach
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.
Lifeguard
There is no lifeguard cover at this beach.
Beach cleaning
Parking
Nearest town
Postcode
OS grid reference
What3words
ABOUT
Located in St Bride’s Bay between Nolton Haven and Broad Haven, Druidston Haven is an unspoilt beach that is surrounded on three sides by dramatic shale and slate cliffs. In the rock formations at the northern end of the beach are caves, caverns, arches, and even a few waterfalls to explore. However, be aware of tide times as the water moves quickly and can cut the area off so be sure not to get stranded.
When the tide goes out, golden sand is exposed as well as numerous rock pools full of interesting sea life such as crabs, limpets, and starfish. Fossils such as graptolites can also be found at the base of the cliffs.
Although the cliffs mean the beach is sheltered, swimming can be dangerous due to the strong currents, and bathers should be aware there is no lifeguard cover. Children will enjoy paddling near the shore and building sandcastles, while dog owners can bring their four-legged friend to the beach all year round. The beach rarely gets busy and the expanse of flat sand is ideal for a game of cricket, football, or volleyball, or just throwing a frisbee about.
STAR SPECIES
The secluded bay that the beach sits in means opportunities for water sports are limited. There are some good breaks for surfers and body boarders though, while kayakers can paddle out to explore the huge sea caves even at high tide.
Prior to Covid, Nolton Stables was located near the beach which used to offer horse riding lessons and treks to holidaymakers and meant the beach could often get rather crowded. Since closing, horse riders still use the beach to gallop along the edge of the surf, but there are far fewer of them.
The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path runs along Druidston beach and a walk along the top of the cliffs will take you past the iconic Druidstone Hotel as well as Malator, an Earth house built for the former MP Bob Marshall-Andrews. Nicknamed the Tellytubby House by locals, Malator is sunk into the ground to have a minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. With its glass front and open-plan format it has been described as one of the most innovative houses of the 20th century.
Look out to sea for the chance to spot seals or porpoises swimming offshore, and bird watchers can all find jackdaws, peregrine falcons, fulmars, common scoters, and kestrels in the area.
There are no facilities at the beach and the Druidstone Hotel’s bar is no longer open to non-members. You can still book a table in the restaurant which has a menu that changes daily, and serves a mix of traditional and worldwide dishes made from local ingredients.
The nearest car parks can be found at Nolton Haven, or the larger Broad Haven where you’ll also find a convenience store, cafes, a fish and chip shop, a surf shop where you can hire equipment, and public toilets. There are also some parking spaces at Haroldston Chins about half a mile away.
Access to the beach is from the coastal path. Alternatively, there are some steep, stony footpaths down stream valleys that run from the road by the beach. Neither of these routes are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, or those with mobility issues.
AMENITIES
