Aurial on a
glorious day in
Pembrokeshire
THIS IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST
SPOTS TO A NCHOR IN WALES
Jolly Sailor and then the steep bank opposite what was HMS
Warrior’s home while she was used as a fuel hulk prior to her
rescue and renovation. The river turns northwards and passes
wooded cliffs for the approach to Lawrenny. Benton Castle
overlooks the tree-lined passage of Castle Reach before we
turn the corner into Beggars Reach where woods continue
on the left and green
pastures line the water on
the right. Ahead shimmer
Llangwm’s moorings – the
clear patch in the middle
indicates shallows. Black
Tar is marked by a slipway
on the left at the end of the
houses; after the moorings
peter out, the mudfl ats of
Sprinkle Pill stretch out
opposite the old mining
quay of Landshipping.Picton Point marks the confl uence of the Western and
Eastern Cleddau – the latter is shallower and can only
be recommended to explorers in dinghies. It leads up
past the great historic house of Slebech Park and, if a spring
tide permits, to the limit of navigable waters at the disused
Blackpool Mill. The Western branch passes the old quays
of Hook and New Milford before reaching the bridges at
Haverfordwest, though mastless boats can continue to the
town’s quay. Anchoring in these top reaches requires caution- while the central stream is deep, the margins slope to form
a muddy V shape. My favourite resting place lies south of
Picton Point just upstream of Black Tar; the boat may swing
with the tide but with such good holding, this sheltered place
of refuge is snug when the wind and waves of the open sea
make us long for peace. In ages past, the area thrived with
coal mining and fi shing but nowadays, few signs of its past
mar the scenery – only the quays of Lawrenny, Landshipping,
Cresswell and Hook remain. We settle down to the sound
of nothing but nature and refl ect on our glorious day.
A LONG WEEKEND
Neyland Yacht Haven has
420 fully serviced berths