Pembrokeshire’s Best Areas for Access to Parks

A NEW report has revealed the best and worst neighbourhoods in Pembrokeshire for access to parks and green spaces, with Fishguard topping the list as the county’s most accessible area for outdoor recreation.

The Park Access Report, created by MG Timber and Online Marketing Surgery, analysed neighbourhoods across Pembrokeshire based on the number of postcodes located within 900 metres of a park, public garden, or playing field.

According to the findings, Fishguard ranked first overall, with 262 postcodes falling within walking distance of a green space. Pembroke Dock followed closely behind with 252 postcodes, while Tenby & Caldey secured third place with 228.

Haverfordwest North and Milford Haven West completed the top five, highlighting strong access to parks in some of Pembrokeshire’s busiest residential communities.

Top five Pembrokeshire areas for park access (postcodes within 900m of a park):

Fishguard – 262 

Pembroke Dock – 252

Tenby & Caldey – 228

Haverfordwest North – 225

Milford Haven West – 183

At the other end of the rankings, Crundale, Clynderwen & Maenclochog recorded the lowest level of park accessibility in the county, with just 83 postcodes located within 900 metres of a park or playing field.

Neyland and Cilgerran & Crymych also ranked among the least accessible areas, suggesting that residents in more rural parts of Pembrokeshire may face longer journeys to reach public green spaces.

Areas with the least access to parks (postcodes within 900m of a park):

Crundale, Clynderwen & Maenclochog – 83 

Neyland – 101

Cilgerran & Crymych – 104

Narberth – 114

Johnston, Broad Haven & St Ishmaels – 118

They used data from the Office for National Statistics around access to gardens and public green spaces in UK, where they found the access to public park and playing fields data for all MSOAs (Middle Layer Super Output Areas) and LSOAs (Lower Layer Super Output Areas) in Pembrokeshire.

YOUTH players, families and volunteers from Milford Athletic FC are set to take on a sponsored mountain trek next month in a bid to raise funds for new football equipment and improvements at the growing community club.

The club will host its “Team Trek” fundraiser on June 28, with participants climbing the 1.2-mile route to the trig point at Foel Eryr in the Preseli Mountains.

Organisers hope to raise £800 to help improve training sessions and ensure matches can continue to be delivered in line with Football Association of Wales guidelines.

Funds raised will go towards purchasing new footballs, cones, posts and other training materials, as well as maintaining and replacing existing equipment. Club representatives said even essential items such as the club’s lawnmower are in need of upgrading.

A spokesperson for the club said Milford Athletic FC is committed to providing “fun grassroots football” for children and families in the community, adding that the fundraiser would help create a sustainable future for the club as it continues to grow.

They said the aim is to ensure children from “all walks of life” feel welcomed and supported, with access to high-quality training sessions and matchday experiences.

Players, friends and supporters are all expected to take part in the trek through the Preseli hills later this summer.

A FORMER Pembrokeshire county councillor who owns many hostelries in the county has been given the thumbs-up for plans to rejuvenate a “tired” seaside village pub.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Mike Evans of Harbwr Brewery, a former county councillor and national park authority member, sought a partly retrospective permission for works at the Old Chemist Inn, The Strand, Saundersfoot.

The works include proposed internal alterations to the basement and ground floor, a new rear balcony area to replace the existing one, improvements to the front facade, a change of use of shop space to food/drink, and installation of seating booths in the rear garden.

It says the changes proposed will increase the number of staff employed to 15 full time and 10 part-time.

No objections to the proposal were raised by local community council Saundersfoot.

A supporting statement through agent David J P Morgan RIBA Architect, says the 19th Century pub “has endured many alterations during its lifetime and at present it needs improvements to echo the recent upgrading of the village, both in the general tourism support facilities, as well as the new innovative harbour development,” with the  appearance and interior facilities “tired” and needing “works both inside and outside to enable the inn to achieve and provide the high levels of cuisine and facilities now expected”.

It added: “The Inn has been purchased by a local company who have a number of establishments within Saundersfoot and Tenby. The company is owned by local people, they use local produce, they employ local labour and work actively with local communities to achieve the high standards expected.”

It went on to say: “The rear ‘beer garden’ will be improved to allow more space and comfortable seating areas. The applicant is well known for the extensive use of external plotted plants in open areas at their establishments and the garden area will give the opportunity of using such to soften the garden area whilst giving greater habitat opportunities for birds and insects.”

There were initial objections from the Park’s buildings conservation officer who considered the proposed front elevation of the building “out of character and inappropriately grandiose,” and by four members of the public to some of the parts of the design, a 2025 application being withdrawn early that year.

Since then, amended and simplified plans were later submitted, with no subsequent objections by the officer or members of the public received.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The existing shopfront exhibits traditional and appropriate architectural detail and the proposed scheme replicates this character for all three door openings in the front elevation.

“This removes the less favourable 20th century elements and enhances the appearance and character of the building overall. The proposed scheme for the rear of the building alters the window design and enlarges the openings to enable sliding doors, in addition to an enlarged terrace, new balustrading and steps. This aspect of the proposal is considered to improve the appearance of the building when viewed from the Wales Coast Path or wider beach.”

It finished: “The revised design approach is considered to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Saundersfoot Conservation Area and will improve elements of the existing building, whilst respecting the special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.”