Cwm-yr-Eglwys, near Dinas Cross and Newport, Pembrokeshire

Cwm-yr-Eglwys

Beach

Place photograph

6.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

CoastalVillageValleyWalkersHistory loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.8

At this Pembrokeshire cove, the west wall of St Brynach’s Church is all that remains after an October 1859 storm destroyed the building.

The appeal is the meeting of cove, wooded valley and church ruin: a compact coastal place with a story you can read directly in the surviving west wall. The level path to Pwllgwaelod makes it possible to explore beyond the beach without taking the higher peninsula route.

Atmospheric · Peaceful

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Cwm-yr-Eglwys, near Dinas Cross and Newport, Pembrokeshire

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The experience

Allow an hour or two to explore the cove and church ruin, then follow the level valley path to Pwllgwaelod and back. For a longer outing, a sourced circular route continues to Aberfforest Beach and Aberfforest Waterfall.

Things to do

Explore Cwm-yr-Eglwys beach

Spend time at the cove’s beach, described as a mix of sand, shingle and pebbles. Check tide conditions before visiting.

About 1 hour

See the ruin of St Brynach’s Church

Look for the surviving west wall and graveyard above the beach. The church was destroyed in a violent storm in October 1859.

Walk the wooded valley path to Pwllgwaelod

Follow the National Park’s level, purpose-made path between the two coves through a wooded valley.

1.3 miles (2 km) for the route

Walk the Aberfforest circular

A reported loop from Cwm-yr-Eglwys car park goes along the coastal path to Aberfforest Beach and Aberfforest Waterfall, returning through woodland and farmland. The route source notes rough sections and advises appropriate footwear.

1–1.5 hours

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

Quick escape: cove and church ruin

01
Explore the beach and cove.
02
Visit the surviving west wall of St Brynach’s Church and the graveyard above the beach.
03
Check tide and conditions before walking close to the water.

Half day · Allow a half day, including time at both coves

Make a half day of it: walk between the two beaches

01
Begin at Cwm-yr-Eglwys and see the church ruin above the beach.
02
Follow the level, purpose-made valley path to Pwllgwaelod.
03
Spend time at the second beach; check current food options before relying on them.
04
Return by the same path.

Full Wildland day · About 3–4 hours walking, plus stops

Full Wildland day: cove, valley path and Aberfforest circular

01
Start at Cwm-yr-Eglwys and explore the beach and church ruin.
02
Walk the level valley path to Pwllgwaelod and return.
03
If conditions and fitness suit, take the separately described Cwm-yr-Eglwys to Aber Forest circular, which includes Aberfforest Beach and Aberfforest Waterfall.
04
Allow extra time for the rougher sections and check current route conditions before setting out.

Verified history

St Brynach’s Church stood above the cove. A violent storm in October 1859 destroyed it; the west wall and graveyard remain. One supplied account says the storm was connected with the beginning of official weather forecasting in Britain, but the supplied material does not provide enough detail to verify that claim independently.

Hidden details

The church’s surviving west wall — Above the beach, the west wall is identified as the remaining part of St Brynach’s Church, destroyed in the 1859 storm.

A stream at the edge of the cove — A source describes a small stream running down the right-hand side of the beach into the sea.

Waterfall on the opposite side of the cove — A waterfall is described on the opposite side of the cove; no coordinates or seasonal reliability are supplied.

When to go

· No sourced recommendation; check tide and weather conditions before visiting.

The supplied sources do not establish a best season or seasonal wildlife highlights.

The circular route source advises care on rougher sections in wet and windy conditions and recommends appropriate footwear. Check current conditions before setting out.

The route

surface: Purpose-made path through a wooded valley
distance: 1.3 miles (2 km) for the Pwllgwaelod–Cwm-yr-Eglwys easy-access walk
duration: Not specified by the National Park source
difficulty: Level walk on a purpose-made path
route shape: Out and back between Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod
start point: Cwm-yr-Eglwys or Pwllgwaelod
parking start: The source reports car parks at both ends; check current availability and conditions.
shorter alternative: Explore the cove and church ruin without walking the full route.

Wooded valley
Cwm-yr-Eglwys cove and church ruin
Pwllgwaelod beach

Worth pairing with

Pwllgwaelod

Pair the cove with the beach across the wooded valley, linked by a level purpose-made path.

Aberfforest Beach and Aberfforest Waterfall

Both are listed as highlights on a circular route starting at Cwm-yr-Eglwys.

Sailors’ Safety, Pwllgwaelod

A beachside pub and restaurant is described at Pwllgwaelod. Check current opening and booking information.

What to look for

01
Look for the surviving west wall of St Brynach’s Church and the old graveyard above the beach. The church was destroyed in the October 1859 storm. At the cove, notice the stream running towards the sea
02
a waterfall is also described on the opposite side of the cove.

The story

Church; storm; weather forecasting

Best time to go

Check local conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not establish a best season.

No source supplied establishes a best time of day or seasonal peak. Check tide, weather and local conditions before setting out.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Newport SA42 0SJ

Practical information

Opening & access

A small cove and hamlet on the eastern side of the Dinas Island peninsula. The level, purpose-made path links Cwm-yr-Eglwys with Pwllgwaelod. Check current access and conditions before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Parking is reported at Cwm-yr-Eglwys; availability, charges and seasonal conditions should be checked before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

A restaurant is reported at Pwllgwaelod; check current opening and availability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The 1.3-mile (2 km) Pwllgwaelod–Cwm-yr-Eglwys route is described by the National Park as a level walk on a purpose-made path through a wooded valley. Check the source for current access details.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Sea, stream