Travellers have only just begun to truly grasp the extent of the south west Wales’ coastline and all it’s natural beauty. The Welsh county of Pembrokeshire has made traction as a must-visit destination for surfers and rest-seeking staycationers. But there is much more to it than its most popular destinations of Tenby and Saundersfoot.
Maenclochog (pronounced ‘mine-cloch-og’) is a small village located in the northern part of the county that is certainly worth a detour. Just south of the Preseli Mountains – a range of hills within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – sits Maenclochog. As reported by WalesOnline, the village was recently named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Times and taking in its impressive landscape, it’s no surprise as to why.
Maenclochog was boasted not only for its natural beauty but its “plucky community spirit” by the newspaper, which is helped by the fact that it is “far enough away from the madding (tourist) crowds”. This seclusion comes at a small price for tourists though, as it is not as easy to get to as other more populous destinations.
A car is a must to get to Maenclochog, but that is the case for most destinations in the heartlands of west Wales. But the drive is not too long, if you are travelling from Cardiff you can reach the village within two hours. Alternatively, Maenclochog is only a 40-minute drive from the south-west Welsh coast.
Maenclochog is also served by The Maenclochog Railway, formally known as the Narberth Road and Maenclochog Railway which ran from Clynderwen on the Great Western Railway, originally built to serve the small slate quarries of the Preseli Mountains.
It is rife with history that is still being explored and unpacked today. For instance, researchers have found what are believed to be the remains of a 13th-century castle in the village. Additionally, a tunnel just outside the village has become notorious for its strategic used during the Second World War. The tunnel was used as a bomb-test site for the creator of the ‘bouncing bomb’.
After the Second World War, the village locals worked hard to retain the integrity of the town. When the War Office attempted to take over 16,000 acres of the Preselau slopes as a training ground, local ministers and headteachers rallied together to protest the acquisition.
This strong and supportive community spirit is still well and alive today in Maenclochog. Today, the community congregates predominantly in the iconic yellow and red Caffi’r Sgwar restaurant over afternoon tea and coffee, and has done so for nearly 30 years.
The no-fuss cafe has been widely recognised for its hospitable service, having been named the Most Welcoming Locally-Sourced Café in 2023 and 2024 by SME’s Welsh Enterprise Awards. The Globe Inn pub is another community hotspot you can visit if you’re hoping to chat up the locals.
For travellers looking for a bit more adventure, what Maenclochog lacks in big attractions it makes up for in proximity to Welsh landmarks and natural beauty. The Pentre Ifan Burial Chambers in Nevern is only a 15-minute drive from the village and is considered one of the most fascinating sites in Wales, dating back to Neolithic times.
Maenclochog is also only a 20-minutes drive from Narberth, Fishguard, and Newport. That makes Maenclochog a great day-trip destination or base for travellers eager to visit Newport Sands beach at the River Nevern.
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