Fishguard, Pembrokeshire: A Small Town By The Sea

Fishguard, Pembrokeshire: A Small Town By The Sea

The small town of Fishguard - Pembrokeshire is situated on the south west coast of Wales. Fishguard is actually the English name for the town and in Welsh it is called Abergwaun, which means mouth of the River Gwaun. The origins of the town date back over a thousand years.

There are two parts to Fishguard, Upper Town and Lower Town. Upper Town is situated on a headland and is the location for the main local amenities like shops and the town hall. It has a quaint feel to it, with colorfully painted houses sitting beside stone cottages. Lower Town has a small harbor situated at the river mouth, beneath the steep cliffs of the Gwaun Valley. This is the heart of the old fishing port and is still in operation today.

The town has a strong seafaring past and its coastal position has made it a target for would be invaders. There are still parts of fortifications visible on the headlands. One of the most celebrated times in the history of the town occurred in 1797 at the Battle of Fishguard, when invading French troops surrendered after two days. The signing of the surrender took place in the historic Royal Oak pub and in 1997 the 200th anniversary was marked by the creation of the Fishguard Tapestry.

Fishguard has been a ferry port for over a century but the port and main harbor are actually located just outside the town in neighboring Goodwick. There are regular services connecting south west Wales to the Irish ferry port of Rosslare. Things have changed a great deal since the early days of the steam ships and these days travelers are more likely to cruise by catamaran.

There are some stunning landscapes in and around Fishguard and the area attracts a wide variety of bird species both by the coast and further inland. Grey seals and dolphins have been spotted in the bay but they are more common further out at sea. Sharks are also known to have made the odd visit.

The town is also an excellent base for exploring the local area, being within easy reach of both the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The park covers an area of 240 square miles and apart from the varied natural landscapes it also contains over 260 ancient monuments and is ideal for both nature and history buffs. The Coast Path stretches across an immense 186 miles and there are dozens of walking and cycling itineraries to choose from of varying lengths and levels of difficulty.

Beach bums will find plenty of places to soak up the sun, as there are quite a few local beaches, both sand and shingle. Those in the area include small ones like that at Slade, just outside Lower Town. There are also larger ones like Goodwick Parrog, further west which overlooks the harbor.

Fishguard - Pembrokeshire has a few claims to fame in the movie world, providing locations for classic films such as Under Milk Wood and Moby Dick. Today, cultural events include the Fishguard Folk Festival which takes place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. The festival is both performance based and also an interactive affair with concerts, dances and workshops to name but a few activities.

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