Penally: Cliffs, Paths and Historical Traces

Penally combines a distinctive cliff landscape with exceptional opportunities for nature observation, varied paths and impressive historical traces. The limestone cliffs provide a habitat for fulmars, razorbills and gulls, predominantly herring gulls. Those planning a trip can combine nature, activity and history here in different day itineraries.

Planning Cliffs and Paths Carefully

The cliff path near Penally is closed during firing times. This restriction is one of the most important points to consider when planning your excursion. When the firing range is closed, the Penally Range Practice Trenches can be seen from the alternative footpath. Depending on the situation, this creates different opportunities to experience the landscape and historical traces.

Another specific path option is the Penally Nature Trail. It is approximately 4.3 km long and includes 5 cattle gates, 4 gates and 1 footbridge. The trail begins at the village pump and leads to the parish church of St Nicholas and St Teilo.

Military History and Ecclesiastical Heritage

The Penally Range Practice Trenches are considered the only fully preserved example of their kind in the United Kingdom. The facilities were used to train troops before they were sent to war in France. For visitors interested in military history, this connection between the landscape and its historical use is a particular reason to get to know Penally more closely. Access to the view of the trenches remains dependent on the use of the alternative footpath described above and the closed firing range.

The Penally Cross also bears witness to a long religious and cultural tradition. It is richly carved with a wheel cross on both sides and combines Celtic and Northumbrian styles. The parish church of St Nicholas and St Teilo's Church in Penally was first mentioned in the Llandaff Charters dating from around AD 675. In this way, different forms of local history come together within a closely connected thematic area, without requiring you to commit to just one type of excursion.

Accommodation and Excursion Rhythm

When searching for a holiday apartment in Penally, it is worth first deciding on your preferred travel rhythm. Would you like to devote a day to the Penally Nature Trail, observe the limestone cliffs or explore historical sites such as the Penally Cross and the church? A holiday apartment or holiday house can serve as your own base for planning each day, without requiring any particular accommodation features.

For families, Penally offers various opportunities to shape shared experiences in different ways: observing nature at the cliffs appeals to a different travel interest than the history of the trenches or the design of the Penally Cross. The exact length of the Nature Trail, its cattle gates, gates and footbridge also provide practical guidance for planning a day of walking. Those wishing to combine several interests can spread the excursions throughout their stay instead of fitting all the destinations into a single route.

Arrival and the Wales Coast Path

Penally railway station is located on the route of the Wales Coast Path. This route is used during high tide or when the MoD firing range is in use. Penally railway station is a request stop. If you are looking for accommodation and would like to include public transport in your travel plans, you should take this particular feature into account when preparing and coordinate your planned stay with the relevant path and stopping conditions.

More Destinations for Trip Planning

If you would like to compare destinations in addition to Penally, you can also include Clarbeston, Pembroke, Clarbeston Road, Castlemartin, Newport, Nevern, Begelly and Abercastle in your wider selection.

Back to the main travel overview: Pembrokeshire.