Freshwater West and Gupton Farm

About

Freshwater West is a wild, south-westerly facing sweep of sand in Pembrokeshire, backed by legally protected dunes and the Castlemartin Corse wetland. Its consistent swell makes it one of the best surfing beaches in Wales, but the RNLI warns of large breaking waves, rip currents and submerged rocks, so the water is for experienced surfers. There is room for sandcastles and kite flying, and rock pools for young explorers. Behind the dunes, Gupton Farm has been reinvented as a campsite and surf lodge, farmed with a conservation focus, and new permissive paths lead to a wooden bird hide where marsh harriers and water rails may be seen or heard. Reviewers love the space at low tide and, like the RNLI, warn about the rips. Toilets are at the free beach car park. Dogs are welcome under close control on the beach and bridleways, but not on the farm's permissive paths. A mile-and-a-half wildlife walk from the car park loops through the dunes and hay meadows.

CoastWalking routesDog friendlyCar parkFree parkingToiletsBeachLifeguards in summerBird hideCampsite

Check today’s timesSee all times

BeachDawn to dusk
Beach car parkDawn to dusk
CampsiteOpen all day

PricingFreeFree for all visitors

Free entry for everyone

Entry

Free for everyone

Pricing details

The beach, dunes and permissive paths are free to visit for everyone. Campsite and surf lodge prices are published separately on the National Trust's Gupton Farm campsite page.

ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors

No charge for anyone.

Parking details

Free National Trust car park at Freshwater West beach on the B4319, open dawn to dusk. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted, and the car park is not suitable for coaches. The overflow area is gravel and grass, and the ground is uneven.

Gupton Farm has its own free car park for guests staying at the campsite and surf lodge only; its concealed entrance is on the B4319 about a mile from Castlemartin (look for the pink banner).

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Walking routes1 route

Freshwater West wildlife walk

WalkeasyNot suitable for dogs2.4 km30m

Nearby

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Southwood Estate

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The beach and its car park are open from dawn to dusk; the campsite is open to staying guests all day.

Strong rip currents, large breaking waves, submerged rocks and sandbanks make the sea dangerous; the RNLI provides a lifeguard during the summer holidays.

Toilets are at the beach car park. Paths to the beach are uneven, with steep gradients.

Campsite and surf lodge stays are booked separately through the National Trust's Gupton Farm campsite page.

Photo: The dunes and sands of Freshwater West. Mario Sánchez Prada, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Freshwater_West_beach_(15964064326).jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs are welcome under close control on the beach and bridleways and at the campsite, but not on the permissive paths.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Beach and bridleways only; no dogs on the permissive paths and trails on Gupton farmland.

Leads: Close control; leads around livestock, ponies and nesting birds, and a short lead near seals.