Walking Pembrokeshire.

Transcription

1 Walking Pembrokeshire Canaston Woods Walk It s good to walk, so why not step out and sample some of the walks your neighbourhood has to offer. This pleasant and interesting walk which starts and finishes at Canaston Bridge is one of a number of town and country walks which have been produced by Pembrokeshire County Council. This medium length walk involves a circuit of the lovely Canaston Woods, including visits to the historic Mounton Chapel and Blackpool Mill. This route has been the subject of upgrading and, although sections of it remain steep, it is not too strenuous if taken at a relaxed pace.

2 Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer OL36 (South Pembrokeshire) Based upon the Ordance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of HMSO c Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings Pembrokeshire County Council. Licence No Key: Start/Stop Stiles Gates 3 Steps Bridges 4 4 Car Park Views Exercise Caution Description Points Slope Down Bus Station Train Station 5

3 Canaston Woods Walk Canaston Woods is crossed by numerous paths, all of which make for enjoyable walking in this area of beautiful mixed woodland. The woods are bisected by the main path, the Knights Way, an ancient pilgrim s route between St Davids Cathedral to the north west and Amroth on the south east coast of Pembrokeshire. The Knights Way is at the heart of this walk, encompassing pleasant diversions to the medieval chapel of Mounton near the most southerly point of the woods and the nineteenth century mill at Blackpool, on the western edge of the woods. Many of the paths have undergone upgrading recently and underfoot surfaces are generally firm. However, the paths remain muddy in places and there are some strenuous sections which shouldn t prove too troublesome provided they are taken at a gentle pace! 1 The walk starts in the lay-by south of Canaston Bridge road junction. Follow the minor road signposted Blackpool Mill. After a short distance walking on this tree lined lane you will see a waymarked bridleway on your left. This is the Knights Way. 3 Don t follow the main track ahead of you but bear slightly to the right and follow a recently laid, narrow stone path. It is waymarked. Continue to follow this path as it undulates and rises gently through a coniferous plantation and, after a pair of gates, into older deciduous woodland. 2 Walk up this 5 Climb over into steeply rising bridleway to the top where it meets the main road. Cross here with care it is a busy road! the field and ahead of you is the ruins of the 15th century Mounton Chapel, sadly now in a state of decay so investigate the ruins with caution. 4 Keep straight on at a waymarked junction in the path. It becomes quite rocky underfoot here but shortly, on your left, there is a stile in the hedge. Retrace your steps out of the field, over the stile and back downhill to the path junction you passed earlier. Turn right here and follow it upwards to a crossroads where it meets the main Knights Way once more. Turn right onto this path and follow it as it narrows and descends. On your left, just before a ford, is a further waymarked path that rises into denser woodland. Take this path. It forks shortly in a clearing where you should bear left. the Preseli Hills beyond. 6 You now skirt the hidden ramparts of an old Iron Age fort before exiting into another clearing where there are fine views northwards towards the hilltop village of Robeston Wathen and

4 Canaston Woods Walk 7 Continue on this path until it reaches the main Knights Way once more. Turn right and follow it to the main road. Cross once again with care and walk back downhill to the lane. At the bottom do not turn right back towards Canaston Bridge but turn left and soon the magnificent Blackpool Mill will be seen on the river bank to your right alongside a splendid single arch bridge spanning the Eastern Cleddau. After exploring the mill and grounds, retrace your steps to Canaston Bridge

5 Walking Pembrokeshire Canaston Woods Walk How to get there Walking: The walk begins at the lay-by south of Canaston Bridge. Bus: 322 Carmarthen to Haverfordwest and 382 Tenby to Haverfordwest. Alight at Canaston Bridge Train: Nearest station is at Haverfordwest National Rail Enquiries: Road Map: Search for Canaston Bridge, Pembrokeshire. Parking: There is a lay-by immediately south of Canaston Bridge where the walk begins and ends. Toilets: There are no public toilets on this walk. Blackpool Mill has toilets for patrons only.. Refreshments: Served at Blackpool Mill. Walk overview Start / Finish: Distance: Terrain: Stiles: 1 Gates: 2 Steps: 0 Lay-by south of Canaston Bridge. 4.8 miles (7.8 kilometres), 3 hours This medium length walk has been subject to much upgrading and takes in tarmac lanes as well as stony, grassy and muddy paths. Certain sections are steep but not too strenuous. Bridges: 1 Car Park: 1 Views: several For a copy in large print, Braille, audio tape or an alternative language, please call