A guide to Church Doors Cove and Shrinkle Haven | Pembrokeshire National Park
Church Doors Cove is one of the many geological wonders situated in the wonderful Pembrokeshire coastal path.
It’s a must visit if you are planning a trip to the National Park, especially if you combine it with a trip to the sensational Skrinkle Haven, A gorgeous golden sanded beach which is only accessible at low tide.
What is Church Doors Cove and Skinkle Haven?
Church Doors Cove is small amphitheatre-shaped beach which is home to a colossal door shaped archway which has been cut into the cliffs by the forces of the ocean.
At mid to high tide the beach is very rocky, consisting of mainly large boulders. However as the tide drops away a small stretch if sheltered stretch of sand is revealed.
Next door to Church Doors Cove are the gorgeous golden sands of Skrinkle Haven Beach.
The beach is backed by steep sided cliffs which give it a very Jurassic park-esqe feel to it. Because access to the beach is only available at low tide via a narrow archway in the headland, it makes this secluded beach both unique and extra special.
Key information
Beach type: Sand & rock
Parking: Manorbier Youth Hostel
Facilities: Toilets and a café located at the Youth Hostel, 500m from the beach,
Dog friendly: Year-round
Lifeguards: No
Skrinkle Haven
Where is Church Doors Cove and Skrinkle Haven located?
These two incredible locations are located on the south coast of Pembrokeshire between the villages of Lydstep and Manorbier.
Free parking is available either at Manorbier YHA, or 500m further along the road in the car park which sits on cliff top adjacent to the coastal path.
How to reach Church Doors Cove?
From either car park Church Doors Cove is easily accessible via a short five walk. The path will lead you to the steep steps (140 in total) which drops down onto the bay.
Although steep, there is handrail to help people get up and down the steps. Initially the steps are concreate before you pass through a metal gate and the steps become metal.
Because of the grated nature of the steps dogs may struggle to navigate them. I had to pick up and carry my dog which wasnt ideal when he weighs 30kg.
How to reach Skrinkle Haven?
Unfortunately the steps which used to grant access to Skrinkle haven have collapsed and are now fenced off. This means that the only way to reach Skinkle haven is via a very narrow and rocky archway in the headland which separates the bat from Church doors cove.
You will need to check the tide times before you visit as access to Skrinkle Haven via archway is only available two hours either side of low tide.
Please bear this in mind before visiting as the incoming tide will cut off access. If this happens you will either have to swim back around or wait eight hours for the tide to retreat.
As well as being narrow and slippery, there is also a 4-5ft drop into a rockpool on the Skrinkle Haven side of the archway.
Although you can clamber around the drop to a ledge which sits above the rockpool, trying to access the beach if you have any young family members or dogs can prove rather difficult.
Unfortunately I found out first hand when I tried to carry my 30kg lurcher down the drop. I didn’t have a harness on him and he panicked and accidently clawed a Harry Potter-esqe cut into my forehead.
The narrow archway is clearly visible in the headland when you are down on Church Doors cove.
The archway From Church Doors Cove
What to do at Church Doors Cove and Skrinkle Haven?
Take in the views, have a swim and have a chilled couple of hours.
The archway at Church Doors Cove is incredible and is alone worth visiting for so make sure you pack your camera.
If the tide times are right, Skinkle Haven is a beach worth spending a couple of hours on. Just dont linger too long and keep an eye on the tide times.
There are no lifeguards at the beach so caution is always advised if swimming.
If you have a bit more time, Stopping by Manorbier beach which is located a short distance down the coastline. Popular with surfers there is also a castle located in the valley which leads down to the beach.
You can either drive there or make the 2.5km walk along the coastal path around to the beach.
Are Church Door Cove and Skrinkle Haven Dog Friendly? Yes, year round.
Are there any facilities at Church Doors Cove? Although there are none available at the beach, The Manorbier YHA has public toilets alongside a licenced café which serves hot food, drinks, and snacks.
So there we have it, my guide to Church Doors Cove and Skrinkle Haven.
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I’d also recommend checking out these other epic locations in Pembrokeshire National Park.
For more travel, hiking, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite Welsh regions below.
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