Marloes Peninsula from Martin's Haven Circular

This circular route explores the headland west of Marloes Village, taking you along the Pembrokeshire Coast to visit Martin's Haven, Wooltack Bay and Marloes Sands.

It takes in some dramatic coastal scenery with views of a number of islands, the remains of an Iron Age fort, a World War II airfield, and the village of Marloes itself.

From the car park, you’ll make your way to the former Wooltack Point Coastguard Station, which is situated at the highest point of the headland and operated until 1969. It is a typical coastguard station construction and is now a Scheduled Monument, owned by the National Trust, who refer to it as Haven Point Coastguard Station. It reopened in 2016 as part of the National Coastwatch organisation and is run by volunteers.

There are good views across to the larger Skomer Island and the smaller Midland Isle. The smaller isolated rock to the left of Skomer Island sticking out of the water is the Mew Stone.

From here, continue to Wooltack Point, looking out over Skomer Island. This was last permanently inhabited in 1950 and is now famous for its birdlife, notably puffins, sea life, and flora.

Continue by following the coastal path along the sea cliffs, and further along, you’ll see Gateholm Island, a tidal island (although access would not be easy due to steep sides). There does not look to be a great deal there, although it was the subject of a Time Team dig and has remains of a Bronze Age settlement.

Beyond Gateholm Island you reach the large bay of Marloes Sands. You will come to an attractive beach with steps down should you wish to spend some time on the beach. At the far side of the Marloes Sands bay, you reach Hooper's Point. There are views here to St Anne's Head.

Past the beach, you’ll arrive at Hooper's Point, where there are the substantial remains of Dale Airfield. This was a Royal Naval airfield, constructed in 1941 and operational by 1942. Vickers Wellington bombers took off from here, hence the length and size of the runways. They engaged in convoy protection, anti-submarine patrols and bombing raids in Occupied France.

From Hooper's Point, the route turns inland to the peaceful village of Marloes with a good pub. The village has an unusual 30-foot clock tower, in an Arts and Crafts style, erected by the Pembrokeshire Liberal Association in 1904 in memory of William Fourth Baron Kensington. The clock still functions.

From the village, make your way to Musselwick Beach, where you’ll rejoin the coastal path, which leads you all the way back to Martin’s Haven and the car park.

The walk includes several steady climbs and descents throughout. It follows a mixture of tracks, lanes, bridleways and the coastal path. The coastal path has steep cliff drops so take care with children and dogs. You will need to negotiate several flights of steps, kissing gates, and gates.