Pembrokeshire Coast Path, near Manorbier, Tenby, SA70 7TT
Skrinkle Haven Beach
Beach
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5A sandy cove tucked behind steep cliffs, reached from Church Doors Cove through a natural passage in the rock when the tide allows.
Skrinkle Haven’s appeal is its unusual approach: descend to Church Doors Cove, then—only when conditions and the tide allow—pass through a narrow opening in the rock to a cliff-enclosed sandy bay. The dramatic coastal setting and the care needed to reach it make this a memorable place to look at, not a beach to approach without checking access and tides.
Dramatic · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapPembrokeshire Coast Path, near Manorbier, Tenby, SA70 7TT
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Treat Skrinkle Haven as a tide- and access-dependent coastal discovery, not a guaranteed beach day. Check current access information and tide times before travelling. If access is suitable, explore the Church Doors rock formation from the cove and take in the bay from a safe, permitted route. Do not attempt the passage if conditions are uncertain, or if the tide could cut off your return.
Things to do
See the Church Doors rock formation
From Church Doors Cove, look up at the large opening cut through the limestone cliffs by the sea.
Allow time within a short cove visit
Check whether the passage to Skrinkle Haven is accessible
The rock passage is described as tide-dependent, and the supplied sources report steep, challenging access. Check current local advice and tide conditions; do not attempt it if you cannot be confident of a safe return.
Plan a coastal-path walk towards Lydstep
The National Park Authority lists a Skrinkle-to-Lydstep section and warns of steep gradients and long flights of steps. Check its route information and cautions before walking.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Church Doors and the cove
- 01
Check current access information and tide times before setting out.
- 02
Reach Church Doors Cove by the steep steps described in the supplied sources.
- 03
Look at the large natural rock opening from the cove.
- 04
Return by the same known access; do not enter the passage to Skrinkle Haven unless current conditions and a safe return are confirmed.
Half day · Check route length and conditions before setting out
Add a section of the coast path
- 01
Use the National Park Authority’s Skrinkle-to-Lydstep section as a route-planning reference.
- 02
Expect steep gradients and long flights of steps; the authority lists 115 steps and gradients up to 1:1.
- 03
Check the authority’s current route information and cautions before choosing a start point or continuing onward.
Verified history
The National Park Authority says this part of the coast was closed to the public for many years because it was a military area. It also notes that Old Castle Head remains in use as a firing range. A supplied Tripadvisor description says a former beach access path has closed after cliff collapse; check current access information rather than relying on historic approaches.
Hidden details
The rock passage between the coves — A narrow opening in the rock is described as the way through from Church Doors Cove to Skrinkle Haven when exposed by the tide. Access is conditional: check current information and do not enter unless a safe return is assured.
When to go
· Plan around tide times and current access conditions, not a particular time of day.
The supplied evidence identifies tide and access as the key considerations, but does not establish a best season.
Check conditions before travelling. The supplied sources report steep access, cliff instability and the possibility of tide-cut-off; do not attempt the passage if conditions or the return route are uncertain.
The route
- stiles
- No stiles; one kissing gate and four wicket gates, according to the National Park Authority.
- surface
- Includes a short surfaced byway; other surface details are not stated in the supplied route excerpt.
- distance
- The National Park Authority lists Skrinkle to Lydstep Beach as 1.3 miles; its excerpt also gives 1.61 km, which appears inconsistent. Check the current route information.
- difficulty
- Very steep sections; National Park Authority lists gradients up to 1:1 and long flights of steps.
- waymarking
- Check before visiting
- route shape
- Route section; verify current route details
- start point
- Skrinkle, as named in the National Park Authority route section; confirm the precise access point before setting out.
- parking start
- Check before visiting.
- Limestone coastal features
- Views across the Pembrokeshire coast
Worth pairing with
Skrinkle Haven to Lydstep coast-path section
A documented National Park Authority route section offers a way to extend the visit, but includes steep gradients and many steps. Check current route cautions and conditions.
What to look for
From Church Doors Cove, look for the large natural opening cut through the limestone cliffs. If access to Skrinkle Haven is confirmed safe and open, notice how the sandy bay is enclosed by steep cliffs.
The story
Former military area; coastal landscape
Best time to go
Check tide times and current access information before planning a visit; no specific best season is established by the supplied sources.
Plan around the tide and check the forecast and current access information. One supplied local guide says the passage is exposed around low tide, but timings and conditions can vary; do not rely on that guide alone.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Access is via Church Doors Cove, with steep steps and a narrow rock passage to Skrinkle Haven that is only passable around low tide. A reported former access path is closed; check tide times, current access information and conditions before visiting. Cliff instability and the possibility of being cut off by the tide make this unsuitable for a casual descent. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting. A local accommodation guide identifies Manorbier Youth Hostel as a parking option; confirm availability and permission before relying on it.
Check before visiting
Toilets
A local accommodation guide reports toilets at Manorbier Youth Hostel nearby; check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A local accommodation guide reports a café and shop at Manorbier Youth Hostel; check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting. The approach involves steep steps and a narrow, tide-dependent passage; the supplied sources do not establish current beach-specific dog rules.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Not suitable for visitors who cannot manage steep steps, uneven rock access and a significant drop at the passage. The National Park Authority describes steep gradients and long flights of steps on the nearby coast-path section; confirm the current route and beach access before setting out.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Skrinkle Haven Beach
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
