Brunel Trail
This ride is a gentle climb from the array of colourful yachts at Neyland Marina (north of Pembroke) up through the attractive broadleaf woodland of Westfield Pill Nature Reserve alongside the Daugleddau estuary to Johnston.
Beyond here the trail uses a newly-built, undulating path parallel to the railway to Merlin’s Bridge on the edge of Haverfordwest.
The trail starts on the course of the Great Western Railway line, built between 1852-6 under the direction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the most famous of all Victorian engineers.
Neyland developed after the opening of the line as the terminus of the Great Western Railway, initially attracting passenger ships bound for southern Ireland, although this trade ceased at the end of the 19th century. The village remained a busy fishing port until the middle of the 20th century.
The Cleddau Bridge, a crucial road link between the south and north banks of the waterway, was opened in 1975, replacing the ferry that used to run between Neyland and Hobb’s Point.
Natural attractions:
- Wesfield Pill Nature Reserve
- Cleddau Estuary
Visitor attractions:
- Neyland Marina
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Key route details
- Region/Area:
South West Wales
- Distance:
10 miles
- Time needed:
1.5 hours
- Classification:
Easy
- Traffic:
Traffic-free with a few minor roads to cross
- Surface:
Mixed
- NCN Route:
National Route 4
- Start:
Brunel Quay, Neyland Marina, near Pembroke
- Finish:
Merlin’s Bridge (Caradoc’s Well Road), Haverfordwest
- Cycle hire:
Mike’s Bikes, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 760068
- Access:
Train stations at Johnston, Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest
- Maps and guides:
-
Celtic Trail - West NN4C £6.99
Celtic Trail Guidebook – £6.99
- Links with:
Nearest traffic-free trail is east from Pembrey Country Park (Kidwelly)
- Weather:
-
Sat
max: 9°C min: 2°C
-
Sun
max: 8°C min: 4°C
-
Mon
max: 9°C min: 2°C
-
Tue
max: 5°C min: -3°C
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