Marloes is a small village set in the centre of the Marloes peninsula in beautiful Pembrokeshire, West Wales. If you are looking for somewhere to go camping with the kids, we would thoroughly recommend it as a base. For one thing it is an area of outstanding beauty. It has some of the best beaches and walks and most importantly it is completely unspoilt. Marloes is far less popular than other Pembrokeshire hot spots meaning that if you’re really lucky you may be able to have a beach to yourself, even in the height of summer. We had a wonderful long weekend there camping with friends and have vowed to go back there again next year.
What’s in Marloes, Pembrokeshire
Marloes is a quaint little village with a clock tower at its centre, a small play area for kids, a couple of cafes and a village shop/post office and a public house. You wouldn’t go out of your way to call into Marloes but if you are staying close by it is handy for picking up any essentials. The village shop also has a lovely little cafe with an outside courtyard. We stopped by here for ice-creams for the kids and coffee and welsh cakes for us. The service there was always very friendly.
On one of our evenings camping we ordered a batch of stonebaked pizzas from Camille’s. These were absolutely delicious. Sorry there’s no photos of the pizzas as everyone was ravenous and we just dived straight in. We didn’t try the pub as we mainly ate at the campsite. So if you give it a go, be sure to let us know what you thought of it.
The Best Beaches Near Marloes
Marloes Sands
Marloes Sands is a beautiful beach. A really long stretch of sand with natural coves backed by some impressive cliffs. Be careful when visiting as some of the beach gets cut off when the tide rises. So be sure to keep an eye on the tide times otherwise you’ll be stuck there.
You can park in the National Trust car park for free if you are a member or otherwise its £5.00 for the day. It is a pleasant walk to the beach, but it can be (as we found with an uncooperative toddler) quite challenging. The walk is around 1/2 a mile each way and there are some steep sections. It’s worth it though as the beach is really quiet and you’ll be able to find a spot to yourself.
We barbecued on the beach here and had a campfire where the kids toasted marshmallows. The waves were also good for a bit of boogie boarding. The kids were boogie boarding and a seal was swimming close by to them which was pretty amazing.
Martins Haven
Martins Haven is a small pebble beach. It isn’t really the sort of beach you would spend all day on, but it is brilliant for crabbing. If you time your visit for just after the tide going out you will be able to catch lots of crabs. We caught close to 30 when we were there. It is also a great spot for snorkelling and is a favourite with divers heading out to the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve.
The beach is also used as the embarkation point for trips out to Skomer Island. We took a boat trip on the Dale Princess which skirted around the island. We were so glad we did as we were rewarded with the sight of plenty of puffins flying around our boat. The hour boat trip was ideal with a little one, as it managed to keep her entertained for the duration. The host was very knowledgeable and was able to tell us all about the wildlife on the island. I’d love to go back next year and make a trip to the island itself.
St. Brides Haven
St Brides Haven is a little idyllic cove with sand at low tide, plus shingle and pebbles. It has some fab rock pools, and is good for a swim and a snorkel. I first visited St. Brides Haven when I was on my culinary road-trip across South Wales. Just behind the bay is where I visited Windmill Fam and learnt all about Pembrokeshire earlies. You can rent a solitary cottage overlooking the bay through Wind Mill Park.
Musselwick
This is the type of beach you only ever see in the movies. A perfect crescent of sand backed by steep cliffs which is completely remote from anywhere. Unfortunately it gets completely cut off at high tide and there is a serious risk of being cut off, so you will need to be extra careful.
The last part of the walk also involves clambering over the black rocks, which have had some ‘steps’ cut into the rock for easier access. But it is still a challenge for the very young. When you get there you will most likely be rewarded with a beach to yourself. We went there for an evening dip which was wonderful. We even saw a spider crab on the beach heading back to the sea.
Where to Stay in Marloes
We put up our tent in West Hook Campsite which is a five minute drive from Marloes Village. It is a small, basic, but very clean campsite. There are no electric hook ups which may put some people off, but the view and the fact that the pitches are so spacious made it perfect for us. If you really can’t live without your mobile they will charge it at reception for a small fee.
West Hook Campsite has just a couple of fields, and they only allow for camping pitches on the edges, so the middle is all free for kids to just run about and of course to absorb the views. There is just so much space there, it was amazing. Its also dog friendly so you can take your pooch. You can take the coastal path or the road from the campsite to walk to Martins Haven. The other beaches listed above are just a short drive away.
Close by…
Marloes makes a great base for exploring Pembrokeshire. The nearest town is Haverfordwest where there is a big Tescos. Our friends even booked their food delivery from Tescos to deliver at the Campsite for the first night. How organised is that! For family fun, you’ll find that Folly Farm, Oakwood Adventure Park and Pembroke Castle are all at around 45 minutes drive away.
Have you been to Marloes? I’d love to hear about your visit. Let us know in the comments below.
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Sounds and looks idyllic, an area I’ve never been to but looks like I must try it.
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I’m sure you would love it there 🙂