Secluded Waterside Cottage, Pembrokeshire

Formerly an inn dating back to the late 1800’s, The Sloop is now a cosy waterside cottage just metres from the beach. Set in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park it has an abundance of walks and waterways on it's doorstep. At high tide enjoy canoeing down the estuary or paddle boarding to secluded beaches whilst low tide reveals the long sandy beach, a dogs paradise and a crabbing bridge for the children to enjoy. Nestled in the beautiful hamlet of Sandy Haven and recently renovated The Sloop is a cosy yet well equipped place to escape. The cottage sleeps five people in two spacious rooms, one master bedroom overlooking the creek and the second room with bunk beds and a single. There is one bathroom with a walk in shower and a further toilet downstairs. Downstairs the kitchen has an electric cooker and hob, a fridge, dishwasher and a microwave. We supply tea towels and dishcloths. The cottage also has a laundry room with a washing machine as well as an additional fridge should you need it. A wood burner, DVD and a smart TV can be found in the open plan living and dining area Towels (not beach towels) and bed linen are included. The cottage also comes equipped with body boards and crabbing kit to ensure you get the most out of Sandy Haven creek and the local beaches. You are also very welcome to bring your own paddle boards and kayaks. Dogs are very welcome in the cottage although we ask that they be kept downstairs and we very kindly ask that you do not smoke inside the cottage. The property also comes with private parking directly in front of the house. Sandy Haven Creek (The Pill) From the beach below the cottage, a must do activity in the warmer months is to explore the long tidal creek of Sandy Haven using your own kayaks or paddle boards. A popular pastime is to be carried up the creek in the hour before high water, then enjoy the slack water before returning down the creek on the outgoing tide. With woodland either side to explore and an abundance of wildlife to spot it really is a fantastic experience and be sure to keep an eye for the wreck of an old sailing ship which can be found somewhere around the right angled bend in the middle of the creek. Another popular activity for the children is crabbing from the footbridge across the Sandy Haven inlet at low tide. Armed with buckets, lengths of string and pieces of bacon a full bucket of crabs can usually be gathered in no time at all. Beaches In addition to the beautiful Sandy Haven beach at the foot of the cottage that reveals itself at low tide the cottage is ideally placed to explore the many beaches along the Dale peninsula either by boat, foot or car. For the keen and more experienced kayakers immediately west of the entrance to Sandy Haven creek there are three secluded beaches backed by tall cliffs that are accessible only by boat. Further west along the coast path, the entrance to which can be found on the lane down to the cottage are Lindsway Bay and Monks Haven beaches. Lindsway Bay is a lovely sandy beach about a 40 minute walk from the cottage which at low tide is excellent for swimming and body boarding. A further mile on from Lindsway is the delightful Monks Haven cove which was once the site of a monastery and a look out station in the Second World War. Slightly further afield but only a short drive are the stunning beaches of Marloes Bay, Musselwick Sands, Albion Sands and St Brides. Bird Watching With its vast coastline, extensive cliffs, sheltered bays and tidal creeks the cottage is perfectly situated to see bird life. Spring visitors are swallows, warblers and many sea birds, summer is a good time to see the sea bird colonies whilst winter in the estuary brings waders, slavion, greebs and little egrets. The Sloop is also only a short drive to the disembarkation point for Skomer Island. Home to the largest colony of Manx shearwaters in the world, along with puffins, guillemots, razorbills, choughs and short eared owls it really is a truly unforgettable experience where the relationship with its wildlife is unlike any you will have experienced. Walking Whether it’s across cliff tops, along beaches or meandering the coastal footpaths the cottage is ideally located for those that enjoy a good walk. We also recognise that it is a dog walking paradise which is why we’ve made the cottage dog friendly! Water Sports To make full use of the beaches and the creek the cottage comes equipped with crabbing buckets and body boards. If you have kayaks you can explore the tidal creek and the shore to the west of the estuary entrance whilst the body boards can be put to good use on any of the local beaches. Only a short drive away is the mile-wide Dale Bay which offers a variety of water sports for beginners and thrill seekers alike. Amongst the activities on offer are:- Sailing Powerboating Stand Up Paddle boarding Canoeing Raft-building Kayaking Windsurfing Whether you’re a beginner surfer or a more experienced big wave surfer the cottage is well located to make use of a number of surf sports to suit you. These include:- West Dale Marloes Newgale Whitesands Tenby Musselwick Sands