Abercastle (Welsh: Abercastell) is a small fishing village located in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. Abercastle is a working harbour which is managed by the Abercastle Boat Owners Association. The harbour was the landing site of the first single-handed Atlantic sailing in 1876 starting from Gloucester, Massachusetts by the Danish born fisherman, Alfred "Centennial" Johnson.
Get in
By road
From Haverfordwest follow the A40 towards Fishguard, turn left in Letterston towards St Davids on the B4331. Continue up Mathry hill, turn right onto Mathry at the top of the hill and follow the signs to Abercastle.
By bus
The 404 'Strumble Shuttle' bus runs St Davids - Fishguard - St Davids, stopping at coastal towns and villages including Abercastle (Daily during summer months, Thursday & Saturday only from Oct - May).
Get around
See
- Abermawr Beach, 51.969561°, -5.084184°. A mostly pebble beach. When the tide is out, there is evidence of a prehistoric forest. Parking is located at the top of the beach.
- Carreg Samson, 51.958482°, -5.132924°. Carreg Samson is a 5000 year old Neolithic Burial Chamber and the site of over 1000 burials. Located half a mile west of the Abercastle near the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, it has a cap stone 15 feet long and 9 feet wide supported on three of the seven upright stones. It is thought to have been a portal dolmen and was built over a pit. It is called 'Samson' because of a local legend that Samson placed it in position with his little finger. The whole burial chamber was once covered by a mound of earth or stones and once these were removed stones were used to block the holes in the sides of the tomb so that it could be used as a shelter for sheep. Excavations in 1968 found an early Neolithic bowl.
- Melin Tregwynt Wool Mill, 51.972015°, -5.067408°, +44 1348 891225. There has been a mill on this site since the 17th century, when local farmers would bring their fleeces to be spun into yarn and woven into fine Welsh wool blankets.
Do
- Preseli Venture Coasteering and Kayaking, Parcynole Fach, Mathry, 51.955242°, -5.077058°, +44 1348 837709, info@preseliventure.co.uk. Open daily. Preseli Venture is a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park based outdoor activity centre with over 25 years of experience. Adventure activities include coasteering and sea kayaking. Accommodates up to 40 people in bedrooms which include singles, doubles, twins and shared and family rooms. Full bar and kitchen. From £42 per person
- Pembrokeshire Coast Path. 186 miles of coast path along the UK's only coastal National Park.
Eat
The closest places to eat are in Trefin (Trevine).
- The Ship Inn, Ffordd Yr Afon, 51.948667°, -5.147706°, +44 1348 831445.
Drink
Sleep
There are a number of guest houses in nearby Trefin.
- Garn Isaf, 51.958614°, -5.124997°, +44 1348 831838. B&B
- Trellyn Woodland Camping, 51.957001°, -5.124825°, +44 1348 837762. Woodland camping, 'glamping' and yurt holidays in Abercastle, a short walk from the beach.
Cope
There are public toilets open throughout most of the year.
Go next
If you continue along the coastpath, to the Southwest you will come to the village of Trefin and to the Northeast you will come to Abermawr, a local beach.