Caerfai Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caerfai Bay |
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 Caerfai Bay |
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 Caerfai Bay
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| OS grid reference | SM 7606 2430 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAVERFORDWEST |
| Postcode district | SA62 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
Caerfai Bay is a beautiful spot near St Davids in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It features amazing cliffs made of purple sandstone. At low tide, you can find a sandy beach. You reach the beach by walking down some steep steps.
This special beach is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It is also right on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The area has rugged and wild coastal views. The path winds up and down the cliffs, offering great walks. There is free parking above the beach. You can find picnic benches there too. From here, you can see the islands of Penpleidiau, Skomer, and Skokholm.
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Exploring Caerfai Bay's Location
Caerfai beach is very close to the city of St Davids. It is only about 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) away. To the west along the coast, you will find the Chapel of St Non. This chapel is the most westerly one in all of Wales. On the eastern side, there are old walls from an Iron Age fort. This fort is called Castell Penpleidiau. The next bay to the east is Caer Bwdy.
Activities and Local Businesses
Caerfai Bay is a popular place for visitors. The Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park has been open since the 1930s. It welcomes guests from March to November. You can rent static caravans or bring your own tent or touring caravan. All pitches offer views of Caerfai Bay.
Caerfai Farm is a large farm covering about 140 acres. It produces organic milk, cheeses, and potatoes. The farm uses sustainable energy sources. These include solar panels, geothermal heat, wind power, and biomass energy. The farm also has a shop that is open during certain seasons. It offers a campsite for visitors too.
Understanding the Geology of Caerfai Bay
The cliffs at Caerfai Bay are very interesting. Both the western and eastern cliffs show unique rock layers. These layers are made of red, purple, and greenish mudstone and sandstone. These rocks belong to the Caerfai and Porth-y-rhaw Groups. They were formed during the lower to middle Cambrian period. This was a very long time ago!
The southern tip of the eastern Penpleidiau headland has a different type of rock. It is an igneous rock called felsite. This rock formed from cooled magma. It touches older mudstones that contain fossils. These mudstones are from the Middle Cambrian period. There are also old quarries below the car park. Another quarry is at Caer Bwdy Bay. Stone from these quarries was used to build St Davids Cathedral. It was also used for recent repairs on the cathedral.
Images for kids
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Caer Bwdy Bay looking southwestwards from Carreg y Barcud towards Caerfai Bay.
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The medieval cross in St David's city centre. Its base is made of purple 'Caer bwdy Sandstone'.
