St Brides Bay facts for kids

St Brides Bay (which is called Bae Sain Ffraid in Welsh) is a beautiful bay located in western Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It's a large curve of the coastline where the land meets the sea.

The southern edge of the bay is marked by either Skomer Island or Wooltack Point on the Marloes Peninsula. To the north, the bay reaches Ramsey Island, which is near St David's Head. The entrance to the bay is about 7 miles (11 km) wide. From there, it stretches inland for about 10 miles (16 km).

What the Land is Made Of (Geology)

The northern and southern sides of St Brides Bay are mostly rocky. They have tall cliffs that can be up to 250 feet (76 metres) high. The eastern side of the bay is different. It has many sandy beaches, both big and small, mixed with rocky parts.

The rocks around the bay show a very complex history. They have been bent and broken over millions of years. The cliffs on the southern side are made of sandstone from the Ordovician and Devonian periods. There are also some older igneous rocks (formed from cooled lava or magma), some of which are from the Precambrian era.

In the north, the cliffs are made of rocks from the Precambrian and Cambrian periods. These include both sedimentary rocks (formed from layers of sediment) and igneous rocks. The eastern shore is made of softer rocks from the Carboniferous period. These are mostly sandstones and mudstones, which are part of what is called the Coal Measures. There are also some shales and sandstones from the Millstone Grit Series. Small amounts of coal were once mined here, but the Pembrokeshire Coalfield was never a very big mining area.

Special Protected Areas

The coast around St Brides Bay is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This park was created in 1951 because of its amazing natural beauty. Much of the coastline is also a "heritage coast," meaning it's a special area kept for its natural beauty and history.

The entire St Brides Bay area, along with the nearby sea, is protected by European environmental laws. It is a "special area of conservation" (SAC). This helps protect the wildlife and habitats. Some parts of the coast are also "special protection areas" (SPAs) for birds. There are also several "sites of special scientific interest" (SSSIs) around the bay, which protect important natural features.

Villages and Things to Do

Along the coast of St Brides Bay, you'll find several small villages. These include St Brides, Martin's Haven, Little Haven, Broad Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale, and Solva. Britain's smallest city, St David's, is also very close by.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a walking trail that follows the entire coastline of the bay. It's a great way to explore the area. St Brides Bay is also very popular for fishing with both local people and tourists.

Images for kids

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  New cloisters, St. David's

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  Colourful cottages in Solva

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  Clock tower, Marloes

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  Fishing at sunset, Little Haven

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  St. Bride's Inn, Little Haven

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  Seal at St. David's, Pembrokeshire