Woodland rambles and discovering Pembrokeshire history

I always like to bring dog friendly properties to the attention of my readers, as I really believe that using a little local knowledge can really go a long way, helping to emphasise details such as the walks, beaches and attractions nearby that all visitors love to embrace during their stay in Pembrokeshire.

For today, I would love to explore the delights and history of Nevern, a beauty spot full of enchanting woodland, an arched river bridge and an early Norman church.

Coed Cadw Cottage and it's adjoining Farmhouse are nestled within the superb Nevern Valley just outside the village of Felindre Farchog, and is an ideal location for family (including the dogs!) or friends sharing a desirable rural position surrounded by fields and an abundance of wildlife. This natural position in which the properties inhabit offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the local area. The cottage is great for two families and for larger parties the secure, concealed connecting door can be opened on request, making it a lovely space to share.

This natural and unspoilt position in which the properties inhabit provide ample opportunities to explore and admire the local area.

From the properties, a walk following a woodland track from Nevern will lead into Felindre Farchog and it's resident Salutation Inn. Dogs are welcome in the bar area at the Salutation Inn we you can enjoy drinks and snacks. The track is around 1.5 miles and so makes for a pleasant stroll of an evening.

If you wanted to proceed on from Felindre Farchog for a longer walk, you can embrace the footpath at the top of the hill and follow on to reach Pentre Ifan and it's historic burial chamber.

Pentre Ifan burial chamber lies on the slopes of the Preselli Mountains and is reputed to be one of the best examples of an early Neolithic tomb in the UK.

The pleasant walk around the riverside hamlet in Nevern makes for an enjoyable 3 mile stint, which takes you to the church of St Brynach and all it's history, passing through an abundance of unspoilt countryside. One of the ancient yew trees within the churchyard grounds is known as 'the bleeding yew' because blood red sap oozes out of a broken branch. It is said that it will continue to do so until a Welshman re-occupies the castle on the hill above.

Newport would be your nearest town standing at the mouth of the river Nevern. Newport itself is home to local cafes, pubs and restaurants. Fronlas Cafe in Newport is welcoming to dogs and offers a fantastic homemade menu for the humans.

If you fancy a day or two exploring the beaches, then Newport offers both Newport Sands and Newport Parrog to explore. At low tide you can venture from Newport Sands across the estuary to Newport Parrog, and the walk around the river bank through a bird sanctuary to the road bridge crossing is always enjoyable.

Carn Ingli Mountain (Angel Mountain or Hill of the Angels) presents spectacular views across Newport and out onto Cardigan Bay. Maybe not for the faint hearted, but once you have made it to the top of the hill it really does live up to it's name of Angel Mountain.

For full details and guidance to walks around Nevern, Pentre Ifan and the Gwaun Valley please visit DOG WALKS IN PEMBROKESHIRE.

If at any time you would like to discuss Coed Cadw and Coed Cadw Farmhouse or check out either of the properties availability for the coming year, then please feel free to contact a member of our reservations team on 01437 765765.

Pembrokeshire in all it's sunshine

What a fantastic few weeks we have had down in Pembrokeshire, the sun has certainly had his hat on. I suppose though for the dogs the heat isn't so great, Jed has been clipped again.

Although I can't seem to adapt to him looking like a staffie, I do understand how much cooler it is for him. Mum loves it as there isn't half the hair caught up in the carpets!

I took Jed down to the estuary on Sunday night, it is only around a half hour walk from mum and dad in Cosheston. I waited though until about 8 in the evening after I had filled my face with a BBQ at mums to take him down, it was so much cooler and the tide was right up to the shore. Jed swam solidly for around an hour, he never gets tired of the water.

Walking along the shoreline late evening must be the best time of the day during the summer for a dip. Everything feels so calm, cool and the colours in the skies are something else. But when you turn around to the sight of two Irish Wolfhounds bounding towards you, you almost wonder whether you have arrived at Jurassic Park. They were massive and made Jed look like a Chihuahua!

These paws are made for walking...

Spring has certainly sprung when an array of rainbow coloured flowers fill the river banks and hedgerows, you wake up to the sweet singing of birds in the trees and the evenings are forever lasting. Roll on the summer sun as the warm rays shine over Pembrokeshire enhancing the abundance of the County's unspoilt coastal beauty. Pembrokeshire truly is a place for everyone to visit and celebrate each passing season is style.

You really can explore our beautiful county with only a few paws on the sand wandering the beaches, visiting magnificent Castle ruins in the company of your best mate and explore the big green playground, bouncing along our beautiful Pembrokeshire coastal path.

The Corner in Amroth offers all the above and more for both human and dogs.

Set on a country lane near Amroth, The Corner is a traditional cottage welcoming both you and up to two dogs to enjoy both fantastic coastal and rural adventures, admiring the beaches, the plentiful walks along the coast and woodland and relaxing in the local friendly restaurants after a hard day playing.

The cottage has retained many period features within benefiting from a spacious lounge and conservatory, with extensive gardens surrounding the property enclosed by hedgerows, perfect for chasing butterflies and basking in the beaming Pembrokeshire sunshine during your stay.

The Corner is only around a mile away from the beach at Amroth. Amroth beach is a sandy bay with a pebble bank above the tide line, it is said here that at extremely low tide that the stumps and trunks of an ancient submerged forest can be seen here. Down at Amroth beach there are toilets, restaurants and a small shop.

Please note that between 1st May - 30th September there is a partial dog restriction in place.

From Amroth you can begin walking along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path following the coastal cycletrack, heading towards neighboring Wisemans Bridge and onto the harbour village of Saundersfoot. If you head from Amroth going eastwards you will leave the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and join the Carmarthenshire coastline, bringing you towards Pendine and Laugharne further beyond.

If after a days walking and wandering your dogs have picked up a little sand between their paws, salt water on their fur or splashes of mud under their belly, then The Corner offers a pleasant place for them to enjoy a quick wipe down and take time to dry...

...And if you don't only want to bring along a dog or two then the owners of The Corner even offer the opportunity for guests to pack their horse in the trailer too. What an attraction...bringing your horse on holiday!

For the Easter weeks commencing the 16th and 23rd April 2011, The Corner is offering an attractive 15% discount off each week. Do you really need any other excuse to get packing?!

For more information on The Corner in Amroth, availability and pricing please contact a member of our reservations team on 01437 765 765.

Happy dog friendly holidays!

Calling all water loving dogs!

This one would be great for my Jed - Granston House in Abermawr. He loves the water whatever the weather and so being so close to the beach would be perfect all year round!

Granston House is a dog friendly property in Abermawr less than a mile away from it's impressive and large bay. Think of the morning strolls and late afternoon wanders you and your dog could enjoy day after day. The fresh Pembrokeshire air in the lungs and a stretch of the legs to burn off breakfast!

Sleeping four people plus your one dog who's been lucky enough to come along with you, Granston House makes for a pleasant and peaceful retreat for the whole family during your time exploring Pembrokeshire.

A short distance from Granston House will take you to join the stretch of Pembrokeshire Coastal Path between Abermawr and Abercastle. This section of the coastal path is around 3 miles, ideal for a breath of fresh air for an hour or two!

If your family are keen walkers and fancy grasping the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path adventure elsewhere, I would also recommend the stretch from Abermawr to Penbwchdy which boasts magnificent views towards St David's Head, Strumble and Garn Fawr. And if you still fancy more then head from Abercastle onto Aber Draw which offers a wondrous path displaying dramatic yet stunning cliff scenery.

Hungry yet?

If you fancy a night off from cooking at your self catering property, why not head a little further afield and treat the family to a great and wholesome meal. And yes, that means the dog can go too!

Around a 15 minute drive will take you into Goodwick where the Hope and Anchor pub welcomes well behaved dogs to accompany you whilst you enjoy the finest food around and admire the fantastic views.

A great day out would be had for all by visiting the smallest city of St David's and it's recognised Cathedral only a drive away. St David's is surrounded by spectacular coastal scenery renowned for it's unspoilt beauty. Whilst visiting this area take the time to discover Whitesands, one of the many beautiful beaches in the area too.

Granston House really couldn't be any closer to a fantastic and intriguing bay for those dogs who love splashing around in the water and is nearby to many stunning places in Pembrokeshire.

Jed splashing about

Yesterday was a gorgeous day in Pembrokeshire. The sun was shining the sky was a blanket of blue and it was wonderfully mild.

Wanting to make the most of the day, I cycled to Jed to take him out for an hour or two. If Carew Mill has no water when I pass, it means that the tide is in when I get to Cosheston and head down onto the Cleddau Estuary. This was the case yesterday, so off we went.

I managed to take a few great pictures:

Once a poser always a poser!

A white New Year...

Snow. I think it's probably the topic of pretty much everyone's conversation at the moment isn't it, it's all about the white stuff. Pembrokeshire was host to a fair blanket...

Jed absolutely loves the snow. For a V.I.P (very important pet) that's getting on a little you would never think that he was a day over 5. His Spaniel eagerness and Collie energy create a cracking, youthful mix. His black, white and spotty outfit looks even prettier against a snowy white back drop.

I love to walk and naturally Jed does too, which of course doesn't change when it snows. Carew Castle looked stunning as we walked last Sunday morning.

It is in snowy circumstances such as these that you come to realise that a more intense training regime would have come in handy when he was a puppy. It is my fault entirely that Jed has a habit of pulling whilst he is on the lead, which mixed with slushy snow and clumps of ice creates a wholesome recipe for unfortunate disaster. I really did struggle taking him for 'tats' on the lead, as in all honesty I could have quite easily came crashing down and kissed the pavement several times over. There was me taking step by little, careful step and Jed charging forward slipping and sliding like Bambi. No fear that's the trouble!

Mum was quite right though. Whilst I was giggling at Jed being a twit, Mum offered a sensible head in saying that a nasty slip or slide for Jed could potentially be extremely dangerous for him too at his mature age, let alone me. I hadn't really thought of it like that. I just saw him having the time of his life, rolling around in the crunch and catching snowballs that it just didn't occurred to me.

Does your dog do that? Catch whopping great big snowballs? Jed is terrible. He takes it in whole then shakes is head as the icy clumps slide down and settle in his belly. You've got to laugh.

The majority of the snow has disappeared in Pembrokeshire now and turned into rain. You may be lucky in spotting the odd patch of white every now and then hidden in the hedge, but I think our spell has reluctantly come to an end.

September sunshine conquers...

What lovely weather appeared over the weekend just gone, summer has made an appearance at last! September is a fairly reliable month when it comes to the sun shining as far as I can remember - it doesn't preach to be glorious like July and August and then disappoint us all by raining. September just seems to enlighten us all by releasing the rays, bombarding us with clear blue skies making us all smile after a dismal so called summer. I am very much a fan of September.

Saturday was glorious. It was so warm and sunny which made for a great day to explore Willowcot Cottage in Talbenny. The hushful surroundings to this cute property is divine, offering such an undisturbed retreat in Pembrokeshire - your pooch will find a welcoming haven here too. The dog loving owner of Willowcot in Talbenny has a mission to ensure that every dog staying alongside their humans at Willowcot is comfortable, relaxed and has a treat or two for being on their best behaviour! A 'doggie box' is provided by the owner for a booking with a pooch consisting of a few helpful essentials adding a thoughtful and personal touch to your holiday.

A little bit of thought and consideration goes a very long way.