Wales

Southwood Estate wildlife walk

Enjoy a stroll through the farms of Folkeston and Trefrane, at the centre of Southwood Estate, where the fields are carefully managed to support wildlife biodiversity.

Near to

Southwood Estate

Start point

Maidenhall car park, grid ref SM857202

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.3 (km: 2.08)

Duration 40 mins to 50 mins

Dog friendly***

*The route includes steep parts, steps, gates and water. For further details, see Terrain section.
**Not an accessible route, unsuitable for wheelchairs or buggies. For further details, see Access section.
***Dogs must be kept on a lead and under close control. For further details, see Facilities section.

Address
Maidenhall car park, Haverfordwest, SA62 6BD
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Haverfordwest train station is 9 miles (14.5km) away.
National Rail
On foot
The National Trust Maidenhall car park is alongside the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
By bus
The Pembrokeshire County Council 411 bus from Haverfordwest train station to St Davids stops at Newgale. The summer season Puffin Shuttle bus service from St David’s to Milford Haven stops at Newgale and the National Trust's Maidenhall car park.
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 4, the Celtic Trail, passes the National Trust's Maidenhall car park.
Sustrans
By road
On the A487 to Newgale, take the turning to Nolton Haven and head south, passing three beach car parks. The road climbs up a hill. Maidenhall car park is a small National Trust car park at the top of the hill.
This is not an accessible route and is unsuitable for wheelchairs or buggies. It includes uneven ground, muddy areas, steep sections, steps, gates and a small stream crossing.
Designated parking
There is a small amount of designated parking at Maidenhall car park, at the start of the route, and at Southwood Farm car park, about halfway along. Note, however, that the walk is not suitable for people with special access requirements.
Steps/uneven terrain
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Maidenhall car park, grid ref SM857202
Stage 1
Starting at Maidenhall car park, cross over the road and turn left through the field gate. Walk along the edge of the field until you reach a marker post. From there, follow the green arrows away from the coast and through several fields rich in wildlife.
Stage 2
Continue along the path marked with green arrows. You'll pass through Trefrane farm, where you may see cattle or ponies grazing. Take a moment to admire the views back towards Southwood farm and over Newgale beach. Carry on through the grassland fields, which are carefully managed for wildlife.
Stage 3
After you've walked through the thick blackthorn hedge, with a great view of Southwood farm in the distance, turn right and take the field gate onto the road. Cross the road and enter Folkeston farm.
Stage 4
Follow the waymarkers to the wooded valley edge, where another wooden pedestrian gate will take you into the next field. About 350m across the field, follow the green arrows downhill to a crossing over a shallow stream.
Stage 5
After crossing the stream, carry on up the slight incline and through an area where rushes grow. You'll find cattle and sheep grazing here to keep the habitat in great condition. Continue through an inlet gate and on to the wooden pedestrian gate at the far hedge.
Stage 6
Go through the gate and continue to the right. You're now walking in an area fenced off from livestock to protect and widen our boundary hedgerows, allowing wildlife to flourish. Much of this infrastructure was funded by the People's Postcode Lottery and delivered by National Trust Rangers in 2021.
Stage 7
As you exit the fenced corridor, carry on straight ahead, through the inlet gate and along the lane, where you'll leave National Trust land.
Stage 8
At the junction with the road, you can go left or right. Turn left, and after about 30m you'll find a public right of way on your lefthand side that will lead you back to the village of Roch. Turn right, and carry on along the road, and you'll reach the coastal village of Nolton Haven.
End point
Folkeston Road, grid ref SM 87368 19960
Trail map
The Southwood Estate wildlife walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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