Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The park is essentially a coastline and very little else, which makes it unusual - a thin strip following the cliffs from Amroth round to the Teifi estuary, with the Preseli Hills as the one inland section. Old, hard rock produces a coast of vertical cliffs, blowholes, arches and small sand coves reached by steep paths. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs the whole length, about 300 kilometres, and is walkable in sections with buses back. Offshore islands carry the wildlife: Skomer holds one of the largest Manx shearwater colonies in the world along with easily approached puffins from April to July, Ramsey has grey seals pupping in autumn, and Grassholm carries a gannetry visible from boats. St Davids, with its cathedral set in a hollow, is the smallest city in Britain by population.

What you actually see

• Skomer Island - puffins at close range and vast shearwater colonies.
• The coast path - cliff-edge walking round arches, stacks and coves.
• St Davids - a cathedral in a valley hollow in Britain's smallest city.
• Barafundle and the southern coves - sand beaches below limestone cliffs.

When to go

Late April to mid-July for puffins on Skomer; landings are limited daily and book out weeks ahead. May and June give wildflowers on the cliff slopes. September brings warm sea and quieter paths. Boats cancel readily in swell, so allow spare days for island trips.

Honest expectations

Skomer landings are capped, weather-dependent and frequently cancelled - people plan whole trips around a boat that never sails. The coast path is more strenuous than expected, with constant steep descents into valleys. Parking at popular beaches fills by mid-morning. Some southern sections close on military range firing days.

Nearby

The Gower Peninsula lies east along the coast, and Snowdonia is three hours north.