If you enjoy nature crafting landscapes into works of art, there aren’t many better places to see it than Stack Rocks and Green Bridge of Wales.
Here, two sites on a remote part of the South Pembrokeshire coast – two rock stacks and a sea arch a few hundred metres apart – stand steadfastly against waves of the irrepressible Atlantic Ocean. They are two of the most dramatic natural landmarks in Wales, and one of numerous unmissable places to visit in Pembrokeshire.
In this article I describe what to see at Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales, advise you on how to get there, places to visit nearby and places to stay in the vicinity. I also advise you on the important issue of access to the two sites which – this will often mean you’ll need to build your schedule around seeing them – is in the middle of a UK Ministry of Defence firing range. This means they are often inaccessible for weeks at a time.
So I hope that you find this article inspiring, and also helpful in getting you to these magnificent sights.
Where To Stay
Old Kings Arms Hotel, Pembroke – 16th-century hotel in centre of historic town, close to mighty Pembroke Castle
Portclew House – B&B in a beautiful Georgian. House close to Freshwater East beach
The Lobster Pot, Marloes – great accommodation in a brilliant village pub where the food is always of a high standard
Best Western Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa – 4-star hotel in a late Georgian mansion close to the stunning medieval Bishop’s Palace
Stack Rocks – Elegug Stacks – What To See
Stack Rocks – sometimes referred to as Elegug Stacks – are two limestone sea stacks of differing height and width on the south Pembrokeshire Coast. Elegug (pronounced ‘ell-e-gig’) is the Welsh word for guillemot, one of the seabirds that nests on the rocks for around two months each spring.
The two stacks would have been connected as a sea arch, but nature took its inevitable course and erosion eventually caused the bridging rock between the two to collapse. The taller of the two stacks is between 25 and 30 metres tall.
Stack Rocks are an amazing sight throughout the year, but between early May and mid-July, there’s an extra dimension to the experience – seabirds. Thousands upon thousands of them.
Guillemots are the dominant nesters at Stack Rocks, and you’ll also see plenty of razorbills, kittiwakes and, less frequently, choughs. Bring your binoculars. Some people with sensitive ears may also want to bring noise-cancelling earplugs or headphones, as several thousand squawking seabirds make one almighty cacophony. If someone is autistic, they may well feel overwhelmed by the noise, so come prepared.
For the rest of the year, it’s much, much quieter. After savouring Stack Rocks for a while, it’s a 400-metre walk. – around five minutes – west along the clifftop path to the Green Bridge of Wales.
The Green Bridge of Wales – What To See
The Green Bridge of Wales is the largest and most impressive sea arch in Wales, rising 24 metre – roughly 80 feet – above the sea. There is another limestone stack to the south (right as you look from the west) so there may well have been a double bridge at some point deep in geological history.
It’s not as frequently used as a nesting site, but some seabirds do nest in nooks and crannies in the rock, and it’s worth getting the binoculars back out as you may well spot some more pairs with their chicks. One of the most impressive sea arches in Europe.
One word of warning – when I visited, I saw the three people photographed above walking across the top of the arch. There is a very narrow grassy strip above the arch, and one slip and it’s all over, Red Rover, as my Aussie wife says. Do not follow in their footsteps – you are gaining nothing whatsoever from risking your life like that – not even a decent photograph. It just isn’t worth it.
When You Can Visit Stack Rocks and Green Bridge of Wales – And When You Can’t
You can visit Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge when the firing range is not in use.
Check the Ministry of Defence Castlemartin page before planning a visit. It’s very helpful – the days when the road to Stack Rocks is open or closed are clearly listed on month-by-month pdf documents.
Bear in mind that the monthly documents also list the opening and closing times of the road and path to St Govan’s Chapel a few miles to the east, and on the edge of the firing range. Their opening and closing times are listed side by side on the monthly document.
Otherwise, call the MOD Castlemartin firing range on (01646) 662367 for updates.
When the road is closed, the gate south of Bosherston village is also closed, and a red flag will also be flying at the edge of the firing range.
Where Are Stack Rocks and Green Bridge of Wales
The car park for Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge is four miles (7 km) southwest of the village of Bosherston, on the Castlemartin Peninsula to the south of the town of Pembroke.
Here are some sample distances from elsewhere in Pembrokeshire:
Pembroke to Stack Rocks– 10 miles
Haverfordwest to Stack Rocks – 20 miles
Tenby to Stack Rocks – 19 miles
How To Get To Stack Rocks And The Green Bridge of Wales
The easiest way to reach St Govan’s Chapel is by car, taking the B4319 road to Bosherston village from Pembroke Dock. From there, follow the minor road leading south from the village, and then the brown tourist sign for Stack Rocks to the right. There’s another left turn close to Flimston Chapel shortly a short distance before the car park.
The car park – owned by the MOD – is free.
The invaluable 387/388 Coastal Cruiser bus also runs to Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge when they are open. It runs twice daily from Pembroke Dock (which also has a railway station, in case you’re thinking of doing the whole thing by public transport).
It runs twice daily from Pembroke Dock (trains from Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen and Tenby terminate there), and it covers destinations all around the peninsula including Stackpole Quay, the stop for Barafundle Bay, Bosherston village and St Govan’s Chapel.
Places To Visit Near Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales
The Coast Path to the west of the Green Bridge of Wales is off limits for all but a few days a year, when the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park leads guided walks there. I’ve flown along this section of coast several times, and the most striking feature is Pen-y-Holt Stack, a spectacular sea stack a few miles west of the Green Bridge.
The Coast Path to the east of Stack Rocks is also closed much of the time, but at least it’s possible to visit St Govan’s Chapel for much of the year. If you have the chance to walk this route I’d urge you to do so. If starting at Stack Rocks, you’ll pass two beautiful but difficult to access beaches – Flimston Bay and Bullslaughter Bay. Eventually you reach Huntsmans Leap, a chasm in the cliffs, a ten-minute (500 metre) walk from St Govan’s Chapel.
This is one of the most amazing churches in Wales, a medieval chapel built on the site of the cell of a 6th-century hermit, about whom very little is known for certain. You can walk down a flight of 52 stone steps to the Chapel, and can usually access the cliffs on either side for a higher viewpoint.
The Stackpole Estate – to the east of the Chapel – has some of the most varied coastal scenery in Wales. As you walk east from the Chapel, St Govan’s Head is the first landmark you reach, and from there it’s not far to the vast expanse of Broad Haven South Beach. It’s backed by some pristine sand dunes, and just beyond the back of the beach you’ll find the delightful Bosherston Lily Ponds, a series of man-made lakes managed by the National Trust.
Further east, the scenery is much more rugged. Offshore, the unusual stack known as Church Rock (which does rather resemble a church with a spire) hints at what’s to come. Stackpole Head is superb, a windswept headland with sheer cliffs (much loved by climbers) and yet more sea stacks.
Then things become gentler again, as the Coast Path heads north for a short distance to Barafundle Bay, one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. Despite its relative remoteness – around a kilometre from the nearest car park, at Stackpole Quay, it’s quite popular. This isn’t too surprising, as it’s a gorgeous sandy beach in a glorious setting, and quite sheltered from the prevailing winds from the southwest.
The coast between Stackpole Quay and Tenby is relatively quiet, except for summer weekends. The village of Manorbier is well worth a stop, with a 12th-century castle, a 12th-century church and a fine beach when the tide’s out.
Beyond there, Church Door Cove, next to Skrinkle Haven beach, has grown in popularity in recent years, largely down to increased visibility on social media. At low tide you can walk beneath the natural sea arch, something my friend’s family did recently, having a wonderful time too.
And beyond that, Tenby is one of the best seaside towns in Wales.
Visiting Stack Rocks and Green Bridge of Wales – Final Thoughts
I hope that you’ve found this article intriguing and useful. Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales are magnificent, and make for part of a brilliant day out in South Pembrokeshire.
I’ve spent an enormous amount of time in West Wales, going back to my first trip there in 1979, and travelled all over Pembrokeshire, photographing it in great depth. Here are some more of my articles on this wonderful part of Wales:
Pembrokeshire Articles
Things To Do In Tenby – one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Europe
Tenby Beaches – detailed guide to the four stunning beaches in this gorgeous town
Things To Do In St David’s – the complete guide to the smallest city in the UK, with the finest Cathedral in Wales, outstanding beaches and much more
Pembrokeshire Road Trip – a 5-day itinerary exploring this breathtaking part of West Wales
How To Visit St Govans Chapel – the famous tiny church hidden at the bottom of a sea cliff
Pembrokeshire Castles – 12 fine castles from Norman fortresses to historic mansions
The Best Of The Rest Of Wales
One Day In Cardiff – 24 Hours In The Capital of Wales
Gower Beaches – Rhossili, Three Cliffs and some hidden Gower treasures
25 Best Things To Do In Snowdonia – North West Wales’ breathtaking National Park
25 Best Things To Do In The Brecon Beacons – where Wales starts to get wild after Cardiff and the Valleys
35 Best Castles in South Wales
Cambrian Mountains – 28 wonderful places to visit in the ‘Green Desert’ of rural Mid Wales
20 Best Places To Visit in the Welsh Borders
33 Best Day Trips from Cardiff
20 Best Things To Do In The South Wales Valleys
More Beautiful Places to Visit in Wales
Best Seaside Towns In Wales – Llandudno, Tenby, Barmouth and many more
Landscapes in Wales – Breathtaking landscapes in Wales you must see
Churches in Wales – 30 astonishing churches and cathedrals from all corners of the country
Rivers in Wales – Some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales
Lakes in Wales – Where you find some of the best views in Wales
Landmarks in Wales – famous places in Wales to Explore
Wales Bucket List – 40 Fantastic Places In Wales You Should Not Miss