How to visit the Green Bridge of Wales in Pembrokeshire
Last Updated on 6th August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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If you’re looking for a magical spot of natural beauty which you don’t have to walk very far to get to, then you’ll want to head to the Green Bridge of Wales, which is also known as Pont Werdd Cymru in Welsh.
This dramatic limestone arch rises sharply out of the sea in the Bosherton area of Pembrokeshire and is completely free to visit. Perfect for a photo opportunity, this stretch of coastline gives a true glimpse into just how beautiful this part of Pembrokeshire can be.
The term ‘green’ derives from the fact that the natural stone archway is topped by a carpet of green and it is 66 foot wide. Although the famous attraction is called a bridge you most definitely cannot walk on it!
Doing so would be not only dangerous but could disturb the birds nesting in the nearby area.
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What is the Green Bridge of Wales?
The Green Bridge is a natural archway in the rock which has been carved out over the centuries by crashing waves, fierce winds, and salt from the sea. Today, a perfect arch formation can be seen in the cliff face, much like Durdle Door in Dorset.
80 feet in height, the rock from which the carboniferous limestone is formed was created by geological activity millions of years ago.
Indeed, this area is of such scientific importance thanks to the abundance of fossils found within the rock, that it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
While the limestone itself dates back to around 358.9 million years ago, the archway is much newer, having been caused by the erosion of the cliff face. This means that, sadly, one day it will be gone. Back in 2017, during storm Ophelia, the formation was unfortunately irreparably damaged, but it still remains impressive nonetheless.
Astonishingly enough, the archway has remained an arch and its ‘bridge’ area has not been eroded away to create rock stacks (pillars jutting out of the water) like the nearby Elegug stacks.
Elegug Stack Rocks
The Elegug stacks are situated around 500 metres further down the coastal path from the Green Bridge of Wales. The site comprises of two twenty five metre high pillars jutting out of the sea.
Hundreds or thousands of years ago, these stacks would have been arches, just like the Green Bridge. However, they are further along the erosion process than their nearby neighbour and so all that is left are the rock ‘stacks’.
It’s thought that the reason the Green Bridge still exists is because it is made out of tougher/ harder limestone than the stacks.
How to visit the Green Bridge of Wales
The best time to visit the Green Bridge is as soon as possible because it’s impossible to plan when further erosion might happen and, sadly, one day the bridge will no longer exist.
If you type in ‘Green Bridge of Wales’ into your car navigation then you’ll probably be taken to the wrong place around three miles down the coastline. In order to ensure you reach your destination, instead type in ‘Elegug Rock Stacks’. Follow the road through the military zone if the road is open and park in the car park at the end.
Since this is an outdoor attraction, you’ll want to visit on a clear and sunny day in order to snap the best photos. The Green Bridge is in a pretty remote area and so the best way to get there is by driving.
Luckily, there’s a huge free car park just a few hundred metres away. The car park doesn’t have toilets or a litter bin (so bring your trash home with you) but it is equipped with several picnic benches.
There are no toilets but there is a snack van which sometimes comes to the car park to serve food and drink. Unfortunately, the van visits the car park pretty sporadically and so I would come prepared with your own picnic supplies and plenty of water to avoid disappointment.
When visiting, be particularly mindful of small children and dogs. The cliffs are steep and plunge right down to the jagged rocks in the sea below. Stay well back from the cliff edge when taking photos as pieces of the cliffs could collapse at any moment and it’s not worth risking your safety for a photo!
One of the most important things to know is that you actually have to drive through a military zone in order to access the site (yes, really, the rocks are located within the Castlemartin firing range!) Therefore, sometimes the road is closed for military exercises.
Military zone warning
As soon as you get to the beginning of the military zone there will be clear green signs telling you if the road to the coastline is open or not. If open, the sign will display ‘open’.
When driving through the area, no photos or videos are allowed (which is why we haven’t added any here!) Only stick to the coastal path and take photos once you’re along the coastal path and away from the military zone.
There are several ways to plan if the bridge will be open during your would-be visit:
- Check the Castlemartin Firing Range
- Call Pembroke Visitor Centre on 01437 776499
- Call Castlemartin Range on 01646 662367
Attractions close to the Green Bridge
Nearby, there are several attractions of note. If you’re feeling peckish, then I recommend heading to Ye Olde Worlde Café. This delightful little ivy-clad tea room has indoor and outdoor seating.
They serve up a wide array of hot drinks, sandwiches, and even ice creams when the weather permits. From here, you can also access the Bosherton Lily Ponds and St Govan’s Chapel, a 13th/14th century church nestled within an impossibly steep cove.
Owned and managed by the National Trust, these bodies of water are best accessed during the summer when all of the lilies are in bloom. Just be careful if you’re visiting with pets or young children as you currently can’t go in the water due to a toxic algae which can be fatal to pets.
For more Pembrokeshire inspiration, check out our guide on how to spend 3 perfect days in Pembrokeshire.
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