Owned by The National Trust, Stackpole is a splendid estate of several different and spectacular habitats located between the villages of Stackpole (Ystangbwll) and Bosherston in Pembrokeshire, Wales, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It is situated within the community of Stackpole and Castlemartin. The estate contains the beaches of Barafundle Bay and Broad Haven South. The 100 acres (0.40 km2) of lakes are home to Eurasian otter, goosander, gadwall and kingfisher. From the cliff tops and beaches, bottlenose dolphin and basking shark can sometimes be seen along with species of seabird such as kittiwakes (inset picture) and red-billed choughs. The Stackpole estate is contains one of the largest colonies in Britain of the greater horseshoe bat.

Main Picture: Bosherston Lily Ponds

Looking across the outlet of the central arm with the footbridge (perhaps better described as a causeway) on the left. The Bosherston lily ponds are man-made, created by the Campbells of Cawdor, owners of the Stackpole Estate, between 1760 and 1840. Originally there was a series of wooded valleys containing spring-fed streams, fringed by swamp and wet woodland, that flowed into a tidal creek bordered by saltmarsh and dunes. This system was dammed primarily to form a landscape feature that has become known for its lily beds as well as a wide variety of wildlife. It is now part of the Stackpole National Nature Reserve and is managed by the National Trust.Stephen McKay 

Inset picture: Kittiwake Svenni

We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.

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