Season: autumn
Broad Haven South beach sits a mile south east of Bosherston village. The beautiful, golden beach is edged by grey limestone cliffs and pointed sea stacks. The sand is soft and child friendly. Sitting between Stackpole and St Govan’s headlands in Pembrokeshire, the main sea stack is known as Church Rock. Behind the beach is a dune system, interspersed with marram grass, a haven for wildlife. In the eighteenth century Baron Cawder dammed tidal creeks which used to run inland from Broad Haven. A large freshwater lake system was created, the Bosherston Lilly Ponds. On this occasion the ponds were covered in white lilies and I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of an otter. The dunes are developing and the seasonal changes in the beach’s appearance, flat in summer, gouged and channeled during winter storms, are part of an elemental appeal here. On the western side there are caves and water springs to explore, while to the east you’ll find a system of smaller caves in the low cliffs.
Why Clive is here.
An early morning view of this beach.
I return regularly to this beach. It is so natural and unspoilt. The walk round to Barafundle Bay is second to none. Look out for choughs on the grassy clifftops.