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Abereiddy

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Overview

Abereiddy (usual Welsh spelling: Abereiddi) is a small village on the north Pembrokeshire coast. It has a small beach with clean but dark sand, caused by the waves erosion of the slate cliffs. There is a carpark adjoinin

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia682 words

WBP editorial3

Timing the tide for coasteering

Coasteering around Abereiddy is dictated by the Atlantic’s rhythm rather than a set itinerary. The safest windows open when the tide is midway between high and low, giving enough water depth to cushion jumps while keeping the sea’s edge reachable for scrambling. Check the local tide tables at the Llanrhian Parish Office or online, and aim for a morning start when the sun highlights the limestone cliffs. Bring a sturdy pair of water‑shoes with good grip; the rock faces become slick once sea‑spray settles. If you’re new to the sport, a guided session with a local operator adds a safety net and reveals lesser‑known inlet pools that seasoned divers often skip.

Beyond the lagoon: quiet corners of the coast path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path threads through more than just the Blue Lagoon, and a short detour inland uncovers a willow‑shaded meadow that historically served the quarrymen of the old slate works. This stretch, often missed by walkers focused on the sea view, offers a chance to hear the low hum of summer insects and spot shy barn owls nesting in the grass. Pack a lightweight lunch and linger near the ancient stone walls – the weathered masonry whispers of a bygone industry, allowing a moment of contemplation far from the beach’s bustle. The view back to the shoreline, framed by the meadow’s gentle rise, rewards the extra effort.

Local fare for the day‑tripper

While the ice‑cream van is a summer staple, the real palate of Abereiddy lies in the tiny cafés dotted along the main road towards St. Davids. A handful of family‑run spots serve locally sourced laverbread and freshly baked bara brith, offering a taste of Welsh culinary heritage rarely highlighted in guidebooks. Pair a slice with a creamy cup of Welsh tea, and you’ll hear the soft chatter of residents discussing tide conditions and the upcoming community fête. Timing your visit to coincide with the weekly farmer’s market in nearby Llanrhian adds the chance to sample artisanal cheese and homemade jams, extending the coastal experience into the heart of Pembrokeshire’s rural life.

Introduction

Village in Pembrokeshire, Wales Human settlement in WalesAbereiddyWelsh: AbereddiAbereiddyLocation within PembrokeshireOS grid referenceSM 79724 31055• Cardiff116 mi (187 km)CommunityLlanrhianPrincipal areaPembrokeshirePreserved countyDyfedCountryWalesSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townHAVERFORDWESTPostcode districtSA62PoliceDyfed-PowysFireMid and West WalesAmbulanceWelsh UK ParliamentPreseli PembrokeshireSenedd Cymru – Welsh ParliamentPreseli Pembrokeshire List of places UK Wales Pembrokeshire 51°56′03″N 5°12′20″W / 51.934295°N 5.205683°W / 51.934295; -5.205683 Abandoned slate quarryman's cottage in The Street The Blue Lagoon Abereiddy (Welsh: Abereddi) is a hamlet in the county of Pembrokeshire, in west Wales. It has a small beach which was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005. A large car park adjoins the beach, where in the summer an ice cream van can usually be found. The beach also has public toilets which are open from Easter to October half-term. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path gives fine walking in both directions. The Common which runs inland behind the beach lies within the Manor of Llanrhian. It is home to the now famous Blue Lagoon, where the "Red Bull Diving" championships have been held. The Blue Lagoon was created when the wall of an old slate mine was blasted to let the sea in. It is also popular for "coasteering" where people dive into the sea, swim and clamber along the cliffs. Following the coast path north leads to Porthgain. Abereiddy to Porthgain is roughly a forty-minute walk. The coastal path taken in the other direction to the south east goes around St Davids Head and on to Whitesands Bay.

The Blue Lagoon

[edit] Nearby are the ruins of the 'Blue Lagoon', a small slate quarry, now flooded by the sea having broken in. Initially slate was exported across Abereiddy beach, but later through a tramway to the harbour at Porthgain a couple of miles to the North. Although never as large a quarry as even those nearer Porthgain itself, it did operate a steam-hauled lift. Ruins of a small group of slate houses known as The Street remain near the beach. These were houses built for the quarry workers of the Blue Lagoon and were only abandoned after a flood in the early 20th century. The Blue Lagoon is 25m deep, according to a nearby Pembrokeshire National Park information board. Despite the name, the water is always a distinct greenish hue, owing to the mineral content within the quarry. The lagoon is a favourite for adventure groups practising coasteering, and also diving when the weather is bad.

Appearances on film

[edit] Abereiddy (the Blue Lagoon) appeared in the music video for the hit song "Silence" by Delerium (featuring Sarah McLachlan) from 2000. Abereiddy was the main location for the 1961 film Fury at Smugglers' Bay, starring Peter Cushing. Abereiddy and the ice cream van that regularly visits were also the subject of a short promotional film called "Ice Cream" for Visit Wales, the Welsh Tourist Board, in 2009. Additionally, Abereiddy (the Blue Lagoon) was featured in the 2024 short film 'Walk Upon The Water', which was written, directed, produced and edited by 12 Nottingham Trent film students. The film was entered into several film festivals.

Geology and fossils

[edit] Didymograptus murchisoni The south side of Abereiddy Bay consists of steeply dipping beds from the Upper Llanvirn, where Didymograptus murchisoni is quite common. To the north, the succession passes up into beds of Llandeilo age, and ultimately the foreshore which consists of alternating beds of Caradocian limestone and shale. North over the northern headland, there is a small cove eroded in up-faulted Didymograptus bifidus beds. This is a fault and the disused Porth Gain Slate Quarry provides excellent exposures. Fossil collectors tend to look out for the Ordovician shales wedged in between the cliffs. Fortunately, chunks of shale regularly fall out of the cliffs onto the beach. Consequently, fossil collecting is easier done by walking down onto the beach and looking for the soft, flaky shales. Hammering is only required to split open larger pieces.