Cari & Duncan's Guide to Wonderful West Wales
Our Favourite Places to Visit
Some of our favourite places to visit whilst staying at Rocket House.
Llandudoch (St Dogmaels)
Llandudoch is a fascinating place, particularly for the history enthusiast. The Abbey ruins are a must to explore and conveniently situated next door to the lovely Coach House Cafe! If you walk through the gate in the wall heading away from the ruins and then continue uphill towards the Church it is possible to see a genuine "whalebone", apparently washed ashore sometime in the distant past and now residing in the peace of the Churchyard. There are further interesting relics inside the Church itself (well worth exploring).
The Abbey often hosts outdoor theatre and other events, and so it is worth consulting their website for this. The weekly market is also held just outside (park in the main Llandudoch car park opposite Bowen's Fish & Chips).
If you continue out of town towards Poppit (just past the Ferry Inn) there is a small parking area along the side of the road, from which you can walk down the jetty. From there it is possible to fish and also spot interesting bird life. A very peaceful spot and a great place to eat Fish & Chips watching the sunset!
22 locals recommend
Saint Dogmaels
Llandudoch (St Dogmaels)
Llandudoch is a fascinating place, particularly for the history enthusiast. The Abbey ruins are a must to explore and conveniently situated next door to the lovely Coach House Cafe! If you walk through the gate in the wall heading away from the ruins and then continue uphill towards the Church it is possible to see a genuine "whalebone", apparently washed ashore sometime in the distant past and now residing in the peace of the Churchyard. There are further interesting relics inside the Church itself (well worth exploring).
The Abbey often hosts outdoor theatre and other events, and so it is worth consulting their website for this. The weekly market is also held just outside (park in the main Llandudoch car park opposite Bowen's Fish & Chips).
If you continue out of town towards Poppit (just past the Ferry Inn) there is a small parking area along the side of the road, from which you can walk down the jetty. From there it is possible to fish and also spot interesting bird life. A very peaceful spot and a great place to eat Fish & Chips watching the sunset!
A delightfully quaint small town, offering a wide range of independent shops and cafes amongst other things. The start of both the phenomenal Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Coastal Paths (the latter of which passes right outside Rocket's front door!)
60 locals recommend
Cardigan
A delightfully quaint small town, offering a wide range of independent shops and cafes amongst other things. The start of both the phenomenal Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Coastal Paths (the latter of which passes right outside Rocket's front door!)
A delightfully quirky little place, with narrow streets, ancient buildings, fascinating shops and a good range of cosy cafes.. and close enough to stroll to the shore at the Parrog!
Newport
A delightfully quirky little place, with narrow streets, ancient buildings, fascinating shops and a good range of cosy cafes.. and close enough to stroll to the shore at the Parrog!
Lovely cafes, beaches and boat trips aplenty. Also one of the best places to see dolphin, porpoise and seals in the UK (from the "big pier")
102 locals recommend
New Quay
Lovely cafes, beaches and boat trips aplenty. Also one of the best places to see dolphin, porpoise and seals in the UK (from the "big pier")
The smallest city in the UK! Winding streets, interesting shops and lovely cafes make St Davids a must visit. The cathedral is a marvel!
191 locals recommend
St Davids
The smallest city in the UK! Winding streets, interesting shops and lovely cafes make St Davids a must visit. The cathedral is a marvel!
Interestingly themed gardens, the world’s largest single-span greenhouse, tropical butterfly house and adventure playgrounds, all set in stunning Regency parkland.
197 locals recommend
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Interestingly themed gardens, the world’s largest single-span greenhouse, tropical butterfly house and adventure playgrounds, all set in stunning Regency parkland.
Many acres of peaceful woodland, ponds and rivers, ideal for bird spotting or wildlife watching. Most of the walks are easy and offer lovely views. The cafe is great and the enormous willow badger is a sight to behold!
45 locals recommend
Welsh Wildlife Centre
Many acres of peaceful woodland, ponds and rivers, ideal for bird spotting or wildlife watching. Most of the walks are easy and offer lovely views. The cafe is great and the enormous willow badger is a sight to behold!
The most fantastic strip of golden sand, with fascinating rock pools at low tide.
It is safe to swim between the lifeguard's flags and although usually shallow and calm there is often enough swell to challenge even the most seasoned surfers. Even the highest tides do not completely cover the beach so there is always somewhere to sit!
The dunes on the Eastern and Southern side of the beach are a haven for wildlife and if you are very lucky you might chance upon a rarely sighted Bee Orchid. Just around the "black rocks" on the Western end of the beach is another little cove, just offshore from which is an ancient "fish trap". This exceedingly rare, primitive structure was revealed relatively recently through satellite imagery. In fact, the trap is visible on Google Earth.
In the summer months, it is also possible to spot Bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and Atlantic grey seals from the beach. If you're lucky you may even glimpse them from the back door of Rocket House!
109 locals recommend
Poppit Sands Beach
The most fantastic strip of golden sand, with fascinating rock pools at low tide.
It is safe to swim between the lifeguard's flags and although usually shallow and calm there is often enough swell to challenge even the most seasoned surfers. Even the highest tides do not completely cover the beach so there is always somewhere to sit!
The dunes on the Eastern and Southern side of the beach are a haven for wildlife and if you are very lucky you might chance upon a rarely sighted Bee Orchid. Just around the "black rocks" on the Western end of the beach is another little cove, just offshore from which is an ancient "fish trap". This exceedingly rare, primitive structure was revealed relatively recently through satellite imagery. In fact, the trap is visible on Google Earth.
In the summer months, it is also possible to spot Bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and Atlantic grey seals from the beach. If you're lucky you may even glimpse them from the back door of Rocket House!
The Valley of the Church in English, Cwm-Yr-Eglwys is simply one of West Wales' prettiest coves. The Church itself is now nothing more than a ruin, having been battered by storms and (in its previous incarnation) marauding Vikings, only a small section survives.
The waters are almost always calm, extremely safe and swim-able - absolutely ideal for families. In the summer the rocks just offshore are a haven for wildlife, teeming with a huge variety of fish.
It is also possible to walk the short distance from Cwm-Yr-Eglwys to the neighbouring cove Pwllgwaelod via a pretty wooded valley. Pwllgwaelod is almost as lovely although more exposed (great for surf!) and also benefits from a great pub, The Old Sailors.
33 locals recommend
Cwm yr Eglwys
The Valley of the Church in English, Cwm-Yr-Eglwys is simply one of West Wales' prettiest coves. The Church itself is now nothing more than a ruin, having been battered by storms and (in its previous incarnation) marauding Vikings, only a small section survives.
The waters are almost always calm, extremely safe and swim-able - absolutely ideal for families. In the summer the rocks just offshore are a haven for wildlife, teeming with a huge variety of fish.
It is also possible to walk the short distance from Cwm-Yr-Eglwys to the neighbouring cove Pwllgwaelod via a pretty wooded valley. Pwllgwaelod is almost as lovely although more exposed (great for surf!) and also benefits from a great pub, The Old Sailors.
A marvellous hidden cove with clear water and golden sand. Perfect for families and an excellent place to dolphin watch!
There is a small cafe near the car park at the top serving, among other things, freshly baked welsh cakes! The Grade-I listed church, a rare example of a medieval sailor's chapel of ease is also well worth the short stroll.
48 locals recommend
Mwnt
A marvellous hidden cove with clear water and golden sand. Perfect for families and an excellent place to dolphin watch!
There is a small cafe near the car park at the top serving, among other things, freshly baked welsh cakes! The Grade-I listed church, a rare example of a medieval sailor's chapel of ease is also well worth the short stroll.
A pretty, pebbly bay from which you can often see seals and other wildlife. Pwll Y Wrach (Witches Pool) is a short walk away on the coastal path from Rocket House heading South West and is surely one of the most dramatic spots in the whole of Wales! Follow the website link for the PDF of the whole walk including a stunning wooded glade.
22 locals recommend
Ceibwr Bay
A pretty, pebbly bay from which you can often see seals and other wildlife. Pwll Y Wrach (Witches Pool) is a short walk away on the coastal path from Rocket House heading South West and is surely one of the most dramatic spots in the whole of Wales! Follow the website link for the PDF of the whole walk including a stunning wooded glade.
Our wonderful, secret corner of Pembrokeshire, just a short stroll up the little lane from Rocket House. Peace, nature and staggering views.
7 locals recommend
Cemaes Head
Our wonderful, secret corner of Pembrokeshire, just a short stroll up the little lane from Rocket House. Peace, nature and staggering views.
National Trust Penbryn is one of our best-kept secrets, a beautiful beach with golden sands and lush woodland. There is good parking and a nice little cafe, with a short walk down to the beach.
46 locals recommend
Penbryn Beach
National Trust Penbryn is one of our best-kept secrets, a beautiful beach with golden sands and lush woodland. There is good parking and a nice little cafe, with a short walk down to the beach.
Our Favourite Places to Eat & Drink
Lovely places to eat & drink close to Rocket House.
Delicious wood fired pizza on the banks of the Teifi in a giant (but very cosy) Tipi! Open fires & friendly atmosphere in the heart of Cardigan. What more could you ask for!
102 locals recommend
Pizzatipi
1 Cambrian QuayDelicious wood fired pizza on the banks of the Teifi in a giant (but very cosy) Tipi! Open fires & friendly atmosphere in the heart of Cardigan. What more could you ask for!
Tasty brunch & supper with a variety of cakes and coffee in between. Very bright and airy space in the centre of quaint, historic Cardigan. We would particularly recommend the smashed avocado on toast!
60 locals recommend
Crwst
Priory StreetTasty brunch & supper with a variety of cakes and coffee in between. Very bright and airy space in the centre of quaint, historic Cardigan. We would particularly recommend the smashed avocado on toast!
A cracking little waterfront pub just down the lane from Rocket House in St. Dogmaels. Voted one of the best beer gardens in Wales. The food has also won many accolades. Perfect place to spend a warm Summer’s evening on the water's edge.
65 locals recommend
The Ferry Inn
A cracking little waterfront pub just down the lane from Rocket House in St. Dogmaels. Voted one of the best beer gardens in Wales. The food has also won many accolades. Perfect place to spend a warm Summer’s evening on the water's edge.
Perfect after a long amble on the beach, great cakes, sandwiches and snacks! The vegan brownie is our favourite..
21 locals recommend
Poppit Sands Cafe & Shop
Perfect after a long amble on the beach, great cakes, sandwiches and snacks! The vegan brownie is our favourite..
Lovely fish & chips, just down the lane in St. Dogmaels. Highly recommend eating them on the waterfront on the outskirts of St. Dogmaels whilst watching the world go by.
6 locals recommend
Bowen's Fish & Chip Shop
2 High StLovely fish & chips, just down the lane in St. Dogmaels. Highly recommend eating them on the waterfront on the outskirts of St. Dogmaels whilst watching the world go by.
Excellent light lunches but make sure you leave room for the splendid desserts and cakes! Lots of Welsh classics and many options sourced locally or organic. Supper served on Summer evenings.
28 locals recommend
Blas at Fronlas
Market StreetExcellent light lunches but make sure you leave room for the splendid desserts and cakes! Lots of Welsh classics and many options sourced locally or organic. Supper served on Summer evenings.
Nestled in the peaceful Cycle Valley, the Nag’s Head is ideal for a woodland walk and pub lunch!
31 locals recommend
The Nags Head
Nestled in the peaceful Cycle Valley, the Nag’s Head is ideal for a woodland walk and pub lunch!