Begelly – Nature, History and Animal Experiences

Begelly is a long, linear village along the A478 main road, linking different aspects of Pembrokeshire’s landscape and history. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Begelly, you can therefore consider a range of holiday interests: animal experiences, routes along historic tracks, nature observation and ecclesiastical architectural history. Kilgetty is also nearby and provides an important point of reference when planning excursions in the area.

Animal Experiences and Family Days Out

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo is located in Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire. Folly Farm Zoo is home to almost 100 different animal species. Visitors can also book animal experiences during which they meet and feed animals behind the scenes. This allows families to plan a day where observing different animal species is complemented by a particularly close-up experience. If you are planning a trip with children, Folly Farm is therefore a specific point of reference when choosing the focus of your holiday.

Routes with a History

The Miners Walk follows the route of the former Saundersfoot Railway and runs through Begelly and Kilgetty. Separate from this is the old Dramway between Thomas Chapel and Begelly, an element of the area’s industrial history: it was a former railway line that transported coal from the mines near Broom and Thomas Chapel to Saundersfoot. In 1581, there were so many coal pits near Begelly, close to the road between Tenby and Haverfordwest, that passing by carriage or wagon was considered unsafe because of the risk of subsidence. Anyone who would also like to discover the area’s industrial history while walking will find several specific points of interest here.

Heathland, Woodland and Nature Observation

In the area around Begelly, Kingsmoor Common is an important wildlife habitat. The landscape includes wet, acidic heathland, scrubland and several areas of open water. Fords Lake Valley also has scrubland and woodland; there you may see or hear nuthatches and great spotted woodpeckers. In the vicinity of Begelly, a route leads from Kilgetty through coniferous woodland and farmland to Fords Lake Valley.

Churches and Local Architectural History

St Mary in Begelly is a parish church designated as a Grade II* listed building. It probably dates from the 13th century. A service is usually held there every Sunday at 10:30 am: on the first and third Sundays, usually Morning Prayer, and on the second and fourth Sundays, usually Holy Communion. Different arrangements apply when there is a fifth Sunday.

The local architectural history also includes Zion C. M. Chapel, which was built in 1828 according to its inscription. Together with St Mary, it offers another perspective on Begelly’s historic buildings.

Planning Begelly as a Base

In the area around Begelly, Kilgetty is served by local bus route 352 to Tenby and route 381 to Haverfordwest. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether to focus your stay primarily on Begelly’s routes, nature and architectural history, or whether you would also like to include destinations further afield. Holiday accommodation in Begelly is particularly suitable for your plans if you want to keep a range of day-trip ideas open.

If you would like to compare other places in the same destination region, you can also find information about Saundersfoot, Moylegrove, Boncath, Narberth, Whitland, Clarbeston Road, Houghton and Letterston.

For the main travel overview: Pembrokeshire.