Hafen
Fishguard

Departing Fishguard travel across the county of Pembrokeshire to Pembroke Castle.

Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle was built in the 12th century by the Normans and was the birthplace of Henry Tudor (Henry VII). Set on a limestone hill, it guarded the strategically important town of Pembroke. The massive curtain walls have five projecting round towers and a great keep, twenty-one metres high and six metres thick at the base. The castle proved so impregnable to cannon fire during the Civil War (1642 – 51) that Cromwell’s men had to starve out the castle’s Royalist defenders. Visit the impressive castle and enjoy a guided tour that will bring these ancient walls to life.

Tenby

Afterwards enjoy a short drive to the ancient town of Tenby, a picturesque walled medieval town with a historic harbour. The old walls are almost completely intact and have served well to preserve the old town from the effects of modernisation and development.  The narrow lanes and small squares remain much as they were 500 years ago.  Discover the fascinating history behind this delightful ancient town, before enjoying free time to stroll in the delightful town and harbour.

Enjoy a beautiful panoramic tour showcasing the unique Pembrokeshire Coast National Park - the only predominantly coastal National Park in Britain.

Departing Fishguard, take a scenic drive heading south through the rolling farmland of Pembrokeshire to Newgale, renowned for its amazing beach, 3kms of sand and a huge pebble bank separating it from the coast.

Journey further around the National Park to St Davids – Britain’s smallest City. St Davids would be no more than a village were it not for the fabulous cathedral that lies at its heart. Enjoy a brief stroll in the small city and admire the exterior of the cathedral before heading for Goodwick.

Goodwick lies across Fishguard Bay from the town of Fishguard and affords stunning coastal views. Pause for a photo stop before your return to Fishguard.  

Depart the pier and drive through the glorious Welsh countryside to Picton Castle. Set in 40 acres of magnificent gardens, Picton Castle is perhaps the most unusual ancient building in Britain with half of the building designed as a fortified manor house and the other half a medieval castle. Built in the 13th century by Sir John Wogan, the castle is still the family home of his descendants although they no longer reside here.

Visit the castle which retains its medieval features in the under croft. The principal rooms were remodelled in the 1750’s by Sir John Philipps the 6th Baronet, with plastered rooms and fireplaces by Sir Henry Cheere.  Your visit of the castle will be free flow with stewards in each room to answer any questions you may have.

Following your visit of the castle there will be time to take a stroll in the stunning gardens. Picton Castle is home to some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales. You may like to wander beneath some of the largest and oldest trees in Wales and discover the woodland walks.  See ferns and the abundant feast of wildflowers that blend with unusual woodland shrubs from all corners of the world. Perhaps admire the rare species of Rhododendrons and visit the Walled Garden, an enchanting riot of colour in the summer months with its elegant fountain, rose strewn arches and medicinal herbs all labelled with their remedies.

Enjoy a taste of Wales with an exclusive visit to the family run Velfrey Vineyard where the Pembrokeshire sunshine combined with coastal breezes provide the perfect ripening conditions.

Welsh Wine Tradition

The Romans are believed to have been the first to have planted vineyards in Wales circa 75 AD, followed by Welsh Monks who continued to grow vines and produce wine until the Vikings arrived.

In 1066 the arrival of William the Conqueror and his French Abbots with their wine making skills revived viticulture, but it gradually declined throughout the Middle Ages until Henry VIII's dissolution of monasteries and other ecclesiastical institutions in 1536 -41, rendered winemaking almost non-existent in Wales. It is also suggested that the British climate changed somewhat at that time, becoming very wet with cool summers and mild winters, which resulted in grapes not ripening, fungal disease and very poor yields.

From then, Welsh Wine was produced on a small scale as imported wine was more readily available.

A significant return to wine production in Wales occurred in the 19^th century when noblemen and landowners with the wherewithal invested in vineyards. One such investor was the Marquis of Bute, who in 1873 asked his head gardener to plant a vineyard at Castell Coch, north of Cardiff.

Since the 1970s - 80s Welsh wine production has steadily increased, and in the last decade, Wales has gained a reputation as a quality wine producer.

Velfrey Vineyard

Velfrey Vineyard, a family run vineyard, is a relatively new venture, which aims to produce the finest quality sparkling wines in the heart of the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. Velfrey was established in 2016 after the Mounsey family acquired the land with the intention of sheep farming. The sheep project was not fruitful, but the land, south facing, inland from the sea and not too high above sea level, was perfect for growing vines. There were drainage challenges, but with hard work and an ardent vision, these were overcome, and the first Velfrey vines were planted in May 2017. The first harvest wasn't ready until two years later. In January 2020, the first Velfrey wine was tasted!

Vineyard Visit

After approximately one hour scenic drive to Velfrey Vineyard, meet with one of the Mounsey family and discover how Velfrey Vineyard was established.   Follow a year in the life of the vineyard from winter pruning all the way through to grape harvesting. Learn how the wines are produced and see the vines up close before enjoying a wine tasting.   

Wine Tasting

The Vineyard currently produces one wine, their traditional method sparkling wine, but depending on the wine making process you may be one of the first to sample their first still white wine!   In addition, there will be an opportunity to sample some of the other Welsh wines, giving you a taste of the different types of wine available in this beautiful country.

Welsh Fruited Scones with Velfrey Sparkling Wine

Following your wine tasting, relax on the terrace (weather permitting) and enjoy delightful refreshments, all locally sourced, consisting of sandwiches, freshly made scones and homemade jam, tea/coffee, and of course a glass of the delicious Velfrey sparkling wine.

The highlight will be the famous Welsh fruited scones, made by Sophie who is one of the family, cooked in the traditional way on a hot plate rather than baked in an oven. These will be made in the morning in the kitchen of the visitor centre so they will be as local, connected, fresh and typically Welsh as possible! They also pair very well with the sparkling wine.

Mounsey Family

The Mounsey family includes, Andy, Fiona, their son Ryan, his fiancée Sophie and dogs Archie, Billy & Bash.

The family moved to Pembrokeshire in 2014 and for two years used their smallholding for the traditional Welsh farm enterprise of keeping sheep.

After some research, they found that the gentle south-facing slope, the clay loam soil and a few other factors of the land made it a perfect place to grow vines.

Preparations began in 2016. Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir vines were the first to be planted, followed by Solaris vines.

Your walking tour takes you along part of the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastal path that runs from Amroth in the South to Dogmaels in the North; St David’s Head and Carn Llidi are two of the most prominent landmarks on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Begin your circular walk with your experienced guide from the glorious sandy sweep of Whitesands Bay, a curving, mile-long expanse of flat sands considered to be one of the finest beaches in the country.    As soon as you join the coastal path you will see the site of St Patrick’s Chapel. Although there are no visible remains it was built on the spot where St Patrick originally embarked for Ireland. Here sea voyagers used to pray for a safe journey and offer thanks for their arrival.

Follow the path which steady climbs uphill to bring you to the end of St David’s Head, a wild and often windswept peninsula.  Admire the superb views across Whitesands Bay to Ramsey Sound and along the lovely bays of Porth Lleuog and Porthmelgan and to the rocky profile of Carn Llidi.

Continue along this wild stretch of coast towards Carn Llidi. Whilst difficult to see amid the rocky terrain, the 5000-year-old burial chamber of Coetan Arthur lies below the wall of crags.  The views soon open up along the north coast of Pembrokeshire and then across the flat country to St David’s Cathedral and the coast of St Bride’s Bay.

There will be an opportunity to climb to the summit of Carn Llidi (595 ft) before heading round to Whitesands Bay where your walk will end. The path to the summit is rough but well-defined and at the top you are rewarded with magnificent views that, on a clear day, extend to the Wicklow hills in Ireland.

Depart the pier and drive through the beautiful natural landscape that Wales is so famous for before arriving at the city of St David’s with its fabulous cathedral that lies at its heart.  Built below the town square in the hope that Norse invaders would pass without noticing it, this 12^th century cathedral is magnificent and steeped in antiquity. The floor slopes three feet and the pillars lean drunkenly (though not precariously) as the result of an earthquake in 1248.  This cathedral is the only one in the United Kingdom in which the reigning monarch has a permanently reserved pew.  

Afterwards enjoy some free time to explore this delightful city and see the extensive ruins of the 12th century Bishop’s Palace (outside view only), before returning via the scenic Welsh landscape to Fishguard.