Porthclais Harbour, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Porthclais Harbour
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
6.7
Wildland
1–2 hours, Half day
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.7A sheltered natural harbour with a working maritime story: Porthclais served St Davids as a port for centuries, and its historic harbour and lime kilns remain among the things to look for.
Porthclais combines a striking coastal inlet with tangible traces of its past as St Davids’ port. The nearby cliff path makes it more than a quick harbour-side stop: it can be the start of a substantial coastal outing.
Atmospheric · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapPorthclais Harbour, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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The experience
Explore the harbour and its historic features, then follow the signed coastal route towards St Non’s Chapel and the cliffs. For a longer outing, link Porthclais into the St David’s and St Non’s loop.
Things to do
Explore the historic harbour
Take in the sheltered harbour that served St Davids as a port for centuries.
Allow time to explore
Look for the lime kilns
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park identifies the historic harbour and lime kilns as features to look out for on the walk.
Walk towards St Non’s Chapel and the cliffs
Follow the Porth Clais coastal route, whose listed highlights include St Non’s Chapel and the cliffs. The route has cliff-edge sections, fields and livestock.
About 2 hours for the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) walk
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 2 hours
Quick harbour and coast
- 01
Start at Porthclais Harbour.
- 02
Explore the historic harbour and look for its lime kilns.
- 03
Follow the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Porth Clais walk towards St Non’s Chapel and the cliffs.
- 04
Return to the harbour using the route guidance; check the route details before setting out.
Half day · About half a day
Make a half day of the coast
- 01
Begin at Porthclais and take time to explore the harbour and lime kilns.
- 02
Walk the 3.4-mile (5.5 km), approximately 2-hour Porth Clais route, which passes St Non’s Chapel and coastal cliffs.
- 03
Allow extra time for stops and check current weather and route conditions.
- 04
Finish with a light bite at the harbour kiosk if it is open.
Full Wildland day · A full day; allow time for the 8-mile (13 km) route and stops
St David’s and St Non’s coastal loop
- 01
Start and finish in St Davids.
- 02
Follow the Wales Coast Path itinerary towards St Non’s and Porthclais, taking in the cliff-top sections.
- 03
At Porthclais, explore the harbour and its historic features.
- 04
Continue the loop using the itinerary’s inland return option, or check its seasonal bus alternatives before planning.
Verified history
Porthclais Harbour Authority says its committee began in 1954 and that boatmen have used the harbour for centuries. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park describes Porth Clais as the natural harbour that served St Davids’ port for centuries. The National Park’s walk information identifies historic lime kilns at the harbour.
Hidden details
The harbour’s lime kilns — The National Park’s route notes call out the historic harbour and lime kilns. They are easy-to-miss details if you treat Porthclais only as a walk start.
When to go
· Not specified in the supplied sources; check the forecast and coastal conditions before visiting.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal advantage.
The route includes cliff-edge sections. Check the local forecast and conditions before setting out.
The route
- surface
- Fields and coastal path; further surface details not supplied.
- distance
- 3.4 miles (5.5 km)
- duration
- 2 hours
- start point
- Porth Clais
- parking start
- A National Trust car park is mentioned by the supplied Tripadvisor source; check current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- The Wales Coast Path describes shorter options for its St David’s and St Non’s loop, including seasonal bus-assisted versions; check the current itinerary and service.
- Historic harbour
- Lime kilns
- St Non’s Chapel
- Coastal cliffs
Worth pairing with
St Non’s Chapel
A named highlight on the Porth Clais coastal walk, making it a natural extension of a harbour visit.
St David’s and St Non’s loop
A Wales Coast Path itinerary starting and finishing in St Davids; the full route is 8 miles (13 km), with shorter options described in the itinerary.
Porthclais Kiosk
The harbour website describes a visitor kiosk serving light bites and sharing local information. Check that it is open before planning around it.
What to look for
Look for the historic harbour and lime kilns identified by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The supplied Tripadvisor description also mentions an old harbour wall, but that detail is not confirmed by the official sources provided.
The story
Industry, Maritime
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not identify a best season.
No best time of day or season is specified by the supplied sources. Check the weather and coastal conditions before walking.
How long to spend
1–2 hours, Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The harbour is a starting point for a coastal walk described by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The route includes cliff-edge sections, fields and livestock. Check current access and conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
A National Trust car park is mentioned in the supplied Tripadvisor source. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The harbour website describes a kiosk serving light bites; check whether it is open before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. The coastal walk includes cliff-edge sections, fields and livestock; route accessibility is not confirmed.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Porthclais Harbour
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
