How to Visit St Govan’s Chapel, Pembrokeshire

Last Updated on 6th August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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A little chapel lies impossibly nestled into a secret cove that can only be spied upon once you’re standing directly above it. Equally impressive and awe-inspiring this small ecclesiastical building likely dates back to the 6th century. Here’s how to visit St Govan’s Chapel, as well as what to know before you go.

A history of St Govan’s Chapel

The chapel is believed to have been built in the 13th or 14th century, though the legends surrounding the ecclesiastical building predate it by almost 1,000 years.

According to local legend, the coastline of Pembrokeshire used to be fraught with marauding pirates. One night, as St Govan was guarding St Govan Head, he was pursued by a bloodthirsty gang who wished to capture him for ransom.

Praying for escape, a cleft in the cliff face miraculously opened for St Govan to hide in, and it’s said that the rocks closed so tightly to conceal him that his ribs left an impression in the stone!

He stayed there until the pirates had sailed away, but instead of leaving, decided to stay in the rocky cleft for safety. Eating fresh fish from the sea and drinking water from a sacred spring that flowed nearby, St Govan built a hermitage and remained there for the rest of his days.

It’s also said that, once built, the chapel had a magic bell that when tolled would warn anyone else in the nearby area of the pirates returning. Although the pirates managed to steal the bell, justice was served and their ship sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

Angels then retrieved the bell and returned it, encasing it in a rock so that it could never be stolen again.

Known as ‘bell rock’, the legend still goes that if you make a wish while standing on the rocky cleft, it will come true, so long as you don’t change your mind before you turn around!

How to visit St Govan’s Chapel

The quaint little limestone structure is built into the cliff face and comprises two chambers. St Govan’s Chapel is only accessible from a steep descent of 52 steps.

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the walk down can be steep and the steps have worn away over the centuries, leading to the path being smooth and slippery at points.

While public transport does serve the Pembrokeshire coastline, timings can be infrequent, so ideally you’ll have your own mode of transport to reach St Govan’s Chapel.

There is a free car park close to the chapel, and from here, you can walk further down the coastline. Since the area is often closed due to the nearby military range, on the days in which the area is open, it can get pretty busy.

Luckily the car park is quite big and we had no trouble parking, even on a sunny day in July. I would personally bring your own snacks and plenty of water as there is no regular food place at the chapel. There is an ice cream van but this visits sporadically and so it’s best to come prepared in order to avoid disappointment.

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 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 776 499
• Call Castlemartin Range on 01646 662 367

Nearby attractions

The Pembrokeshire coastal path is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the UK and so there are several natural spots of beauty in the area. If you’re visiting Pembrokeshire soon, read our guide: How to Spend 3 Days in Pembrokeshire Itinerary.

Visit the iconic Green Bridge of Wales

One of the most famous places to visit in the entirety of Wales is The Green Bridge of Wales, a natural stone arch in the cliff face which takes its name from the layer of green vegetation that grows atop it and has been formed by thousands of years of erosion.

Have afternoon tea at Ye Olde World Café

If you’re looking for a snack in a beautiful location, then Ye Olde Worlde Café in Bosherton serves up hot coffee, refreshing cold drinks, sandwiches, and cakes set against the backdrop of an ivy-clad building.

Walk around Bosherton Lily Ponds

An easier walk than that to get to St Govan’s Chapel is to go around the Bosherton Lily Ponds. An enchanting display of endless lily pads splayed across a set of lakes can be found within the parameters of the National Trust owned estate, Stackpole. The best time to visit these large lakes is in July when all of the lilies are in bloom.

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