Minwear Forest, near Haverfordwest

Welcome

Minwear Forest is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is easy to find from the A40.

Minwear is near the head of the tidal section of the Eastern Cleddau River and there is a viewpoint over the estuary on our walking trail through the woodland.

In spring, the woodland paths are edged with the bright yellow flowers of lesser celandine and delicate white wood anemones and there are patches of bluebells under the trees. 

In the autumn months, the burnished colours of the red oak and beech trees in the woodlands are a spectacular sight.

The tides cause big changes in the saltiness of the water and you may see waterside birds like herons. It is also is a great place to see woodland birds including long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and treecreepers.

Together with nearby Canaston Wood, Minwear has been thickly wooded for centuries and the ready availability of timber encouraged the establishment of several local industries. 

These industries had declined by the early 19th century and, during the 20th century, conifer trees were planted in place of many areas of former deciduous woodland.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Minwear Walk

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.6 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: The trail starts off on a wide stoned track through the wood which climbs gently. It becomes narrower in places and can be muddy. There are some steps and there are two picnic areas along the route.

This waymarked circular walk starts from the car park and goes to a viewpoint over the Cleddau Estuary with a bench.

The first picnic area has wooden benches carved from tree trunks and the second one has standard picnic tables next to a quiet road.

Landsker Borderlands Trail

The Landsker Borderlands Trail goes through Minwear Forest.

This long distance trail is 60 miles/96 kilometres long and explores the rural area on the Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire border.

The route is on OS maps and has some waymarking.

For more information go to the Long Distance Walkers Association website.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Minwear Forest is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The Pembrokeshire Coast is Britain's only truly coastal National Park, covering 240 square miles of spectacular landscape around Wales's south-western shore.

It is looked after by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting the National Park go to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website.

Closures and diversions

• Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.
• We may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice, due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
• Please always follow any instructions on site and any temporary diversion signs.

How to get here

Location

Minwear Forest is 8 miles east of Haverfordwest.

It is in the county of Pembrokeshire.

Ordnance Survey map

Minwear Forest is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 36.

The OS grid reference is SN 059 142.

Directions

Follow the A40 east from Haverfordwest towards St Clears.

After 7 miles, turn right at the Canaston Bridge roundabout, onto the A4075 towards Tenby.

Take the first right, following the brown and white tourism signs towards Blackpool Mill.

Follow this road past the mill and the car park is on the right.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is Haverfordwest.

For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.