Recommendations for a Week in Milford Haven

[Anwen]

Hi All,

I am hoping to take Deep Joy up to Milford from Swansea for a weeks holiday later this month. I have the Peter Cumberlidge cruising guide, but was wondering whether any of you had any favourite places to go, things to do etc.

The boat is 1.8m draft, fin keel. I was definitely thinking about a night on the pontoon in Dale (or anchoring), but don't know if this is OK in E or NE winds.

Any advice re moorings, pubs, restaurants etc would be very welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

[Oceanis]

Dale is a great spot for a night or two. There are a couple of good places to eat ashore - the pub and the sailing club. The pontoon is good as long as there isn't a lot of wind or swell coming into the bay. If there is, I would stay away from the pontoon and anchor. I got myself caught being blown onto the pontoon and it was a very unpleasant night. Dale is very flat and the tide goes out a very long way. Certainly at LW Springs you would need to drag the dinghy through the mud to get to the jetty.

Neyland marina is a really good bolthole if the weather turns nasty but there isn't a lot to do in Neyland. Going further up the river past Neyland the scenery chances and it all becomes very rural and peaceful. There was a very good article in YM last year on cruising Milford Haven.

 

[Csail]

If weather is kind dale is good otherwise go to lawrenny (maybe wrong spelling!)good pub and food and sheltered moorings.Take dinghy though and explore the river upstream , great early in the morning on a sunny day. Oh and mackeral lines....there are loads at the moment if you like fish. Milford yc is nice too.

 

[Alcyone]

Go up the river as Csail says. You should be fine as far as Llangwm. Go up with the flood and back down with the ebb - plenty of depth. Once you pass under the Cleddau bridge it's a different world, oak lined banks and silence, a marked contrast from the busy haven.

Ishtar is moored not far from the floating pontoon at Dale. If we're on board, come and have a beer.

 

[tico]

Dale is great but not in N or E winds. Avoid the outer pontoon on springs as you tend to bounce along the length.... better to pick up a mooring. Just keep an eye out for the owner and be prepared to move if they return.
Watwick... nice sandy beach but can get busy, avoid in Easterlys
Skomer / skokholm... go before August to see the puffins (lfewer this year for some reason) recommend south haven. overnighting there is an experience.

The Jolly just above the Cleddau bridge has its own pontoon and is good value.
as alcy says, above the bridge its a whole new world of peace and well worth exploring.
Pubs... The griffin at Dale, the ferry at Burton under the bridge, the Stanley arms at Landshipping , the Ferry house at LLanstadwell, the point house at angle.... enough?
Say hi to SeaDream if you see us

 

[Anwen]

Thank you all for the contributions. This gives me plenty to be getting on with! I hadn't thought about Skomer, but if the weather is settled, why not.

I notice no-one had mentioned Milford Marina. Is there anything I should know?

 

[Alcyone]

The only reason I didn't mention it is we have a mooring at Dale. We stayed there (marina) one night, and fuel up ther regularly, as well as tying off on 'The mackerel stage' a pontoon outside to go to Tesco's or the Chandlers. I've always found the marina absolutely fine, Neyland too for that matter.

There are also plenty of anchorages in and around the Haven, plenty for most wind directions. Even last weekend, when it was sunny and busy, there was still peace and seclusion to be found if you looked around. I love the place, always have.

Post when you're there, when wind and tide predictions are easier, and I'm sure we'll have more suggestions.

 

[Morpheous]

We did a week in milford marina last year, it was fine but the locking in and out is a little restrictive, just plan carefully. The marina staff were very friendly and explained it all clearly. You can get provisions, there is a bar and chandlery too.

Looking forward to going back!

Dale is great, very expensive fish & chips, just round the corner is Watwick bay, lovely beach, only boaters can really get to it. Anchor at the sides the bay there are submerged cables in the middle that you easily hook up on. Lawrenny is nice, there is a pontoon too, not sure about the depth, we only draw 1M and it was fine.