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Broad Haven Lifeboat Station: keeping us safe on the sea

lifeboat station

Here in Pembrokeshire, the only coastal National Park in the UK, we welcome millions of water-loving tourists to our infamous shores every year.  With glorious clifftop cottages, stunning sandy beaches, islands full of rare wildlife on each horizon, and the Irish sea pushing substantial waves towards crowds of eager surfers, you can see why this is such a popular spot for those who love watersports.  Whether you’re bringing your dog to explore some of the 186 miles of coastal path that stretches the length of the county or the kids just want to take the bucket, spade, and some sandwiches and explore the rock pools at your favourite sandy cove, the sea is the biggest draw for our guests at Atlantic View.

But if you’ve been following BBC2’s popular program ‘Saving Lives at Sea’, you’ll know that time spent on the coast means being at the mercy of Mother Nature.  Thankfully, The Royal National Lifeboat Institute has many thousands of lifeboat stations dotted across the UK’s cliffsides, including at Little Haven.

Covering the twin beaches of Little Haven and Broad Haven, this vital lifeboat station started life in a small, sheltered building near the waterway in 1882, just 52 years after Sir William Hillary founded the RNLI in 1824.   Despite a bigger lifeboat station being built in 1903, and a slipway installed on the beach nearby, it was hard to find crew members in such small communities, and the station closed in 1921.

But as watersports grew more popular and tourism began becoming an economic institution in Pembrokeshire, the lifeboat station at Little Haven was reopened in 1967 and named the Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station.  It was in this year that the inshore D Class Lifeboat, still a model used by the existing RNLI station, was introduced to Little Haven.  Don’t worry, it’s not a 50+-year-old boat – the Jack & Edith May, a new D Class d-766 lifeboat was installed at Little and Broad Haven lifeboat station in 2014.

lifeboat station

Here in Pembrokeshire, we feel extremely lucky to have the RNLI close by so that we can keep our guests safe and allow us all to enjoy the majesty of the sea.  But our vulnerability to the power of the water and nature itself should not be taken lightly. Our local lifeboat station crew have been presented with four awards for gallantry in recent years, and we should repay those who volunteer to brave dangerous situations to save our lives by showing respect to them and the sea.  As the largest maritime charity in the UK, it is still incredulous that this invaluable service still runs solely on charitable donations.  As well as rescuing on average 23 people per year, the RNLI also provides flood rescue services as well as training and providing equipment to our shoreline’s lifeguards.

We urge visitors to Atlantic View to participate in the plethora of watersports available right on the doorstep, including our very own invention, coasteering.  But we ask that you do so carefully, responsibly, and respectfully.

Here are a few links that can help you to stay safe on the water:

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Easter Fun in Broad Haven on the Pembrokeshire Coast

easter fun

Easter Fun in Broad Haven on the Pembrokeshire Coast

It may seem a little like the gloom of winter will never end, but we’re fast approaching spring, and here in Pembrokeshire, the daffodils have already begun sprouting!

It’s that time of year where we’re all longing for the sunshine and colourful vibes of Easter…and there’s not long to wait!  With plenty of Easter fun to be had in Broad Haven, we know you’ll want to come back again and again to experience an Easter break by the sea.  Here’s why:

  1. Easter fun on the water

    easter fun

    Pembrokeshire’s well known for its water sports, which is not unusual considering it’s the only coastal national park in the UK.  In Broad Haven, Haven Sports offer a wide range of water sports equipment for sale or hire to use on the safe sandy beach right outside the doorstep of Atlantic View.  But if you’re looking for Easter fun that’s arranged for you, why not head up to Porthclais Farm Campsite near St Davids for their Easter Holiday Kayaking and Coasteering event, which takes place on the 9th April?

  1. Easter Fun on the Farm
    easter fun

This is not just any old farm; Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo is a great family day out.  It’s about a half an hour’s drive from Atlantic View, but their Family Easter party is not to be missed! As well as free theatre shows and a resident magician, there’s plenty of Easter fun to be had by meeting our resident baby lambs and Easter chick – penguin chicks, too!  And don’t forget to visit another special baby animal that’s just been born at the Farm…a critically endangered black rhino calf!

  1. Easter Fun with Cadbury
    easter fun

Only a short drive up the beautiful coast from Atlantic View is Southwood Farm, the hosts of one of the many annual Cadbury Easter Egg hunts across the UK.  The Easter Bunny leaves clues all across the blossoming grounds, allowing kids to stomp across this lovely working farm with views across St Bride’s Bay.  Bring wellies as things can get muddy down at the farm, but who minds a bit of mud when there’s the guarantee of some lovely Cadbury chocolate at the end of it?

  1. Easter Fun your own way
    easter fun

No need to join in with others’ activities if you’re having too much of a good time yourselves.  After all, it’s the peace, wide-open spaces and sea air that attract people to Pembrokeshire, and Broad Haven has sandy stretches and salty air in abundance! It’s the perfect place to have some quality time to yourselves.

With plenty of space in your luxury cottages at Atlantic View, why not put the Easter feast in the large oven provided, decorate your family dining table with daffodils and then hide the choccies for you very own Easter egg hunt?

  1. Easter Fun without the washing up
    easter fun

With some lovely eateries dotted all around your accommodation then why not let someone else do the cooking and treat yourself to an Easter meal out?  If chocolate’s not your thing, why not try the newly opened Haven Brasserie, a mere 3-mile hop from Broad Haven to neighbouring Nolton Haven.  Their upmarket traditional food has excellent reviews and matching wonderful sea views.

If chocolate and lamb aren’t your things, then give Sunshine Italian a try.  Beautiful home-cooked pasta dishes, hand-picked wine and a short stagger home…plenty of Easter fun without the hassle!

easter fun

For more ideas on activities to try while at our five-star accommodation, please follow us on social media or visit our regularly updated blog page.  See you soon!

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Five family attractions in Pembrokeshire

family attractions rollercoaster

Five family attractions in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire’s well-known as a fantastic holiday destination for families; whether it’s a seaside break, hiking holiday or a tour of the region’s family attractions, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained along this stunning and renowned coastal national park.  When booking your holiday at Atlantic View, it’s always best to have an idea of day trips and book in advance to make sure you don’t miss the fun.  We’ve put together a list of top 5 family attractions for you and the kids once you’ve exhausted the beaches…if that’s possible!

1.Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo 

family attractions giraffe

35 minutes from Atlantic View, telephone 01834812731 to book tickets.

 

This is so much more than just a farm; this adventure park is home to all kinds of exotic animals, such as penguins, lions and Wales’ only giraffes!  The farmyard animals are really friendly, too – why not try your hand at milking a goat, or feeding a rabbit? There are games, fair rides and an adventure park – will you be brave enough to get on the Big Wheel?  Keep an eye out for some friendly characters walking around the park, as well as the resident magician Jugglestruck.  This is a lovely day out for all members of your tribe, from the very little to the big kids!  This is one of Pembrokeshire’s most highly rated family attractions.

2.Oakwood Theme Park 

family attractions rollercoaster

29 minutes’ drive from Atlantic View, call 01834815170 to book tickets

Oakwood Theme park is not only one of Pembrokeshire’s most well-known family attractions, it happens to be the biggest theme park in Wales!  Its main rides include Megafobia, Wales’ longest wooden rollercoaster, as well as water coaster Drenched and the aptly named Bounce, boinging high in the air above the 80-acre park.  There’s plenty of other adventures to be had here, too – from a Neverland for little ones to explore to waterslides, a boating lake and even a haunted house!  There are lots of food options on-site, meaning you can really make a thrilling day of it. We advise that you bring a change of clothes for everyone, as many of the rides involve getting pretty wet!

3.Blue Lagoon Waterpark 

family attractions blue lagoon

26 minutes’ drive from Atlantic View, call 01834862400 to book tickets to the waterpark

If your little ones aren’t too keen on seawater, then this is a fantastic option and a lovely afternoon out.  This had to go on our list of family attractions as it’s so popular – it’s a good idea to book ahead of your holiday during the summer months.  The water slides, wave machines, jets, outdoor heated bubble pool and qualified lifeguards mean that the kids can have a splashing time indoors while you relax in the warm water outside, bathing in nature.  Bliss!

4. Hangar 5 

family attractions hangar 5

18 minutes’ drive from Atlantic View, call 01437700555 to book tickets

Hangar 5 is the first trampoline park and soft play venues in the UK, making it one of Pembrokeshire’s truly unique family attractions.  It’s loads of fun, too! Set in an old aircraft hangar on the outskirts of the market town of Haverfordwest, big kids and their younger siblings can have hours of fun bouncing, learning new skills and playing in an extensive soft play area.  This all-weather attraction also has a café…but you might want to eat after bouncing to avoid green gills!

5. Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm 

family attractions bug farm

33 minutes’ drive from Atlantic View, call 07966956357 for enquiries

Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is pretty much what you’d expect – it’s a farm for bugs!  This extraordinary place teaches you about some remarkable creatures, whether in the extensive exhibition space or up close, where you can hold some beautiful bugs!  There are many exhibits and activities to be had on this Pembrokeshire Farm, including a beautiful Pollinator trail for sunny days.  There’s even a café, called the Grub Kitchen…and they serve bugs!! Try a cricket cookie?  This is one of the most unique, quirky and unforgettable family attractions in Wales – this is worth a visit!

And there you have it, our top 5 family attractions in Pembrokeshire.  Of course, there are a wide variety of free activities that you can do along this beautiful coast; our favourites are:

  • Build sandcastles
  • Go boogyboarding
  • Go rockpooling
  • Have a picnic on the beach
  • Find the best place to watch a sea sunset
  • Go seal spotting in autumn (but don’t get too close!)

Every season is different, and we intend on letting you know what there is to do whenever you choose to stay at Atlantic View.  Whether there’s 4 of you in one of our family cottages, or you’re coming as a group booking, we’ll find plenty to keep you entertained.  All you have to do is keep an eye on our blog for upcoming activities and events.  Don’t forget to follow us on social media and post your holiday pictures on our Facebook page!

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