Freshwater East is a village on the coast of Pembrokeshire in South Wales with an attractive sandy bay. It grew up as a beach resort in the 20th century, and later its surroundings became open access land with dunes, woodland and wetlands. The name arose because sailing ships would put in for water supplies, or at least claim they did so – it was good cover for smuggling.

Get in

By car

It is 4 miles from Pembroke via A4139 and B4584 and 9 miles from Tenby via A4139.

By train

The nearest station is at Lamphey which is 1.6 miles away and on the West Wales lines to Carmarthen, Swansea, Cardiff and Pembroke Dock.

By bus

387/388 Coastal Cruiser: summer is 4 buses daily and winter is Thursdays and Saturdays only, 3 buses.

Get around

Get around this village on foot. Note, there is a steep hill from the beach up to the top of the village (Jason Road)

See

• 1 Freshwater East Beach. A sandy sheltered beach backed by dunes and the local nature reserve. The beach consistently wins Green Coast Awards. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Freshwater East Local Nature Reserve. Open Access land located behind the beach, managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and local volunteers. It offers a range of habitats including dune slack, woodland and marsh. Free entry. (updated Oct 2016)
• 3 Pembrokeshire Coast Path. A long distance path along the coast of Pembrokeshire and part of the Wales Coast Path. (updated Oct 2016)

Do

Hiking

Freshwater East is on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which is part of the Wales Coast Path. Whichever way you walk the path, there is stunning coastal scenery. Alternatively, take walks around the Freshwater East Local Nature Reserve and enjoy wetland, dune and woodland habitats and an abundance of wildflowers.

Mountain biking

Mountain bikes can be hired from the Longhouse.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards but a sheltered bay, which is popular for paddling and open sea swimming. There is a public slipway for boating, or if you prefer paddle boarding, boards can be hired from the Longhouse. Bring your own kayak. Diving can be booked through the Longhouse.

Fishing

For those who enjoy fishing, it's a popular place for beach casting and mackerel fishing, but you will need to bring your own gear. As the sea is generally calm, Freshwater East is not ideal for surfing.

Beach

The beach has ideal sand for building castles; beach art events are sometimes held here.

Buy

There is a small shop at the Longhouse and also one at the Caravan Park, both with seasonal opening

Eat

• 1 The Longhouse (Time Flies at the Longhouse), Trewent Park, SA71 5LW (at Freshwater Bay Holiday Village), ☏ +44 1646 673900. A bar/cafe behind the beach with a beachy theme, open to all. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 The Freshwater Inn, Jason Road, SA71 5LE, ☏ +44 1646 672828. A traditional village pub/restaurant with spectacular views over Freshwater Bay from the beer garden. (updated Oct 2016)

Drink

• The Longhouse, Trewent Park, SA71 5LW (at Freshwater Bay Holiday Village), ☏ +44 1646 673900. (updated Oct 2016)
• The Freshwater Inn, Jason Road, SA71 5LE, ☏ +44 1646 672828. (updated Oct 2016)

Sleep

There are self catering holiday properties to suit all budgets, some bed and breakfast establishments and two camping/caravan sites (seasonal opening). In particular there is a holiday park Freshwater Bay Holiday Village (also known as Trewent Park) in the valley behind the beach which offers very reasonably priced self catering accommodation. The beach homes are privately owned but some are available to book for holidays or short breaks.

• 1 Pembrokeshire Wales Coastal Holidays (Freshwater Bay Holiday Cottages), Trewent Park, Freshwater Bay Holiday Village, ☏ +44 1646 672397, freshwaterbayholidaycottages@gmail.com. A local family-owned business that rents out some of these holiday homes with WiFi for holidays and travelling guests. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Stackpole Inn, Jason's Corner, Stackpole SA71 5DF, ☏ +44 1646 672324. Charming country inn with great food. B&B double £130. (updated Sep 2023)

Connect

Mobile phone coverage is poor but there is a public phone box. The Longhouse and the Freshwater Inn have WiFi available.

Go next

• Manorbier