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Porthclais
A pretty little 12th century harbour once an industrial trading port on the south westerly tip of St David’s Peninsula
Porthclais, St David's, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6RR
Opening times for 26 December 2024
Asset Opening time Porthclais Dawn - Dusk Opening times for the local run Porthclais Kiosk vary. Follow them on Facebook or call for up to date information.
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The harbour has a small National Trust car park.
Kiosk
Locally run, not National Trust.
Dogs allowed
Toilet
Blue badge parking and adapted toilets available in the car park. Pathway and road from the car park to kiosk and along to the harbour level. Some uneven parts in places. Access to the coast path and trails steep with steps. Unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs or if you are unsteady on your feet.
Accessible toilet
An adapted toilet with grab rails in the car park at National Trust Porthclais Harbour car park. Accessible with a Radar key.
Level access to food outlet
Designated parking
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
The A487 is the main access road to St David's from Haverfordwest and Fishguard. Minor roads head out from the city to Porthclais Harbour.
Parking: Small National Trust car park next to the kiosk.
On foot
The 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path is Wales' only National Trail. It follows the coastline around the peninsula and passes within one mile of St David"s. It is a pleasant walk from the city towards it, on footpaths and quiet country lanes, especially southwest to St Justinian, Treginnis and Porthclais. St David's Commons are best reached on foot from Solva village. Pembrokeshire Coast Path within 1 mile
By train
Regular bus services into this area from Haverfordwest train station 20 miles and Fishguard train station 19 miles.
By bus
From Haverfordwest train station and Fishguard trains station. Additional services during main holiday season. To view the bus routes and timetables, please visit the Pembrokeshire County Council website: Bus Routes and Timetables - Pembrokeshire County Council.
By bicycle
National Cycle Network route 4 passes through St David's on its way from Haverfordwest to Fishguard. There are several easy detours to the coast along quiet country lanes.
Planning your visit
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Highlights
Harbour
A small harbour at the south westerly tip of St David’s Peninsula built in the 12th century and mentioned in the Mabinogion.
Limekilns
Three limekilns on either side of the harbour dating back to the 12th century.
Porthclais Kiosk
Small kiosk in a little red-brick former pump room near car park with light snacks and refreshments run by local residents.
Things to see and do
Article
Visiting Porthclais harbour
Uncover the industrial heritage of the pretty little harbour, savour the seaside scenery and enjoy outdoor activities on land and in the water.
Top trails
Trail
Treginnis walk from Porthclais
A 6-mile walk around the Treginnis headland in Pembrokeshire which features some of Wales's oldest rock formations, an iron-age fort, a 19th-century copper mine and the historic Porthclais harbour.
Places to stay
Treleddyd Fawr Cottage
Nestled in North Pembrokeshire countryside, this restored cosy cottage has bags of rustic charm.
Castell Farmhouse
If sea views and coastal walks are at the top of your list, try this Pembrokeshire farmhouse.
Little Milford Farmhouse
A more than comfortable farmhouse complete with a snug room and views of the Cleddau River.
Little Milford Lodge
An apartment in the Cleddau woodlands on the Little Milford estate, close to Haverfordwest.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Porthclais
This pretty little harbour was built in the 12th century and was a bustling port with ships importing and exporting goods for the coastal communities of Pembrokeshire. The intact old harbour wall may have been constructed in the roman period but the first recorded trade through the port is 1385. The 3 lime kilns are still on either side of the harbour and were used to break down the limestone into powder for use by local farmers on the land. Porthclaise is mentioned in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh stories based on mythology and folklore.
Support us
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Volunteering in north Pembrokeshire
We rely on volunteers to help and support our countryside rangers with the many different aspects of managing and conserving the precious natural environments that we look after, which means there are plenty of interesting roles to consider.