Fishguard – Pembrokeshire: A Seaside Town

August 31st, 2010 | admin | Travel, Vacation

Fishguard in Pembrokeshire is a lovely town located on the west coast of Wales. The town is positioned at the mouth of the Gwaun river which quite literally is the meaning of its name in Welsh, Abergwaun. The history of the town goes back at least 1,000 years.

Fishguard is divided into the Lower and Upper Town. The Lower is at the mouth of the river beneath the imposing walls of the Gwaun cialis buy Caverta online without prescription valley. This is the location of the old fishing port, now a small harbour. Upper Town, perhaps unsurprisingly, is located higher up, on the headland over the bay. This is the main centre of town with shops, a church and other amenities.

The town has a long tradition of seafaring and because of its situation on the coat has been subject to unwanted attentions from invaders and pirates. Testaments to this past can be found in the various monuments and forts which still stand today. In 1797 the town witnessed an historic event, the Battle of Fishguard, where French invading troops surrendered two days after they had landed. The Royal Oak pub was the location for the signing of the surrender, and the battle is commemorated in the Fishguard Tapestry which was made 200 years later and is on display in the town.

Fishguard is a ferry port connecting the west of Wales with Rosslare in Ireland. The port itself is actually in Goodwick, the town next door and was built in 1906. The ferries have seen many changes over the years from the cialis dosage first steam ships to the modern catamaran.

In Fishguard and its surroundings there are some really beautiful and diverse landscapes. The area is rich in all sorts of flora as well as fauna like sea birds and woodland birds. The bay has occasional visits from dolphins and seals, although they are more often spotted out in open water.

Close to the town there are a couple of natural national treasures, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Coast Path. Both have plenty of options for hikers and mountain bikers. The park is around 240 square miles, while the coastal path covers 186 miles. Apart from the natural elements there are also many monuments of historical significance to be found in both.

Those who prefer more relaxed activities, like lying on a beach will also be satisfied by the choice of environments. The area has some lovely little beaches like Slade in Fishguard. Alternatively there are larger beaches to be explored, such as Goodwick Parrog.

When you visit Fishguard you can see where it has also featured on the silver screen. The Lower Town has attracted the attention of location scouts who have used it in classics like Under Milk Wood and Moby Dick. More recent culture can be found at the annual Folk Festival which attracts visitors from far and wide. Events include concerts and jigs, and they are big on audience participation. Although of course, it is not compulsory.