The Druidstone Pembrokeshire

We discovered this hotel and restaurant as we headed down to the beach below our campsite at Shortlands Farm Certificated Location. If we’d not spent thousands of pounds on a motorhome, thus committing ourselves to years of camping (albeit in relative luxury), this is definitely the type of place we would stay. Run by Rod and Jane Bell for the past 35 years, it was originally their family home and is now open to guests, their children and their pets. There are 11 guest bedrooms, most with fantastic panoramic sea views. The dining room, sitting room and wonderfully atmospheric cellar bar open straight onto sheltered terraces overlooking the sea. In the grounds are several cottages converted from stables and outbuildings, with lots of parking, and guests can use the grounds as well as having their own little corner of heaven. We had lunch there - several times. The menu changes every day, and vegetarians are particularly well catered for. The restaurant has been in the Good Food Guide since 1974. The food is definitely homemade, using local produce thus ensuring the freshest ingredients. Several dogs pottered freely around the terraces, and children played happily in the grounds, particularly on the boules area, clinging determinedly to the side of the cliff.

The Druidstone does not advertise, they don’t need to. Walking in the door is like being welcomed back to the family home after years away. It’s quirky, comfortable and very, very welcoming. It' tucked away, miles from anywhere, in fact their logo is “a million miles from city life”. Almost worth selling the motorhome and staying there ourselves.

Perfect Pembrokeshire

We were told that Pembrokeshire was beautiful – and it is, stunningly beautiful. We were captivated, and ask ourselves why we’ve not discovered it before now? We were camping in our motorhome on Shortlands Farm - a Caravan Club Certificated Location at Druidston Haven, above St Bride’s Bay, and we explored the area within a 12 mile radius of the hamlet.

We wanted to learn more about this ancient land and discovered that the Pembroke peninsula is a tribute to the force of nature. This plateau is over 200 ft high, which extreme movements of the earth has shaped into folds, smoothed by ice and cut by rivers. Over 500 million years ago, volcanoes erupting created hard rocks which have stood up to erosion, and which can be seen in the isolated hills on the St David’s peninsula and the Preseli Mountains. To the south, caves, arches and blow-holes have been carved out of the limestone by the sea.

The sea makes this coastal area a wonderful place for wildlife – sea birds on the cliffs, grey seals breed in early autumn in remote caves, and we spotted porpoises near Marloes, whilst taking in the views from the Coastal Path.

This stunning, gently undulating footpath is nearly 170 miles long, and follows the coast almost all the way round Pembrokeshire. Visitors do not have to do it all in one go, as there are many walks from points where the road meets the path, with plenty of car parks dotted about.

We walked to Broad Haven one way, and to Newgale the other, both extremely picturesque walks, but without doubt, one of the most beautiful walks we have ever done was a circular walk from the car park at Whitesands Bay, and around St David’s Head – about 3.5 miles. The area is steeped in legend with evidence of ancient civilisations dotted around. Every inch of the walk provides stunning views – we did not want this walk to end and will remember it forever.

We only explored a tiny corner of this truly wonderful county, but will be back to discover more in future holidays.