Stackpole

Stackpole National Nature Reserve, situated on the Castlemartin peninsula in south Pembrokeshire, is an exceptionally biologically rich site. It supports a wealth of important habitats and species – from the shallow freshwater Bosherston lakes, flanked by woodland and dunes, to magnificent limestone cliffs and headlands.
The area’s historical landscape also has considerable archaeological interest, with evidence of human influence and occupation dating back at least 3,000 years.
Two of Pembrokeshire’s finest beaches – the sheltered havens of Broadhaven and Barafundle Bay – also lie within the reserve. Few places around the UK contain such a variety of habitats and wildlife in such a relatively small area.

Grid Ref: SR980949 Area: 232.79 hectares

Map - Stackpole

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Visiting

There is an extensive network of footpaths within the National Trust Stackpole Estate, some 10 kilometres of which are in the reserve. This includes 1.5km of wheelchair accessible lakeside path, which links both the National Trust’s Stackpole Centre and the site of the former Stackpole Court to Broadhaven Beach.

Organised parties of visitors are accommodated at the NT ‘Stackpole for Outdoor Learning’ base camp, and at the adjacent Stackpole Centre.

_{Photo by Mike

Alexander, ©CCW}

Stackpole

_{Photo by Mike

Alexander, ©CCW}

Stackpole

Information about the reserve and the Stackpole Estate is available at the car parks during the summer months or at the tea-rooms at Stackpole Quay (NT) and Bosherston (private).

Educational visits
Individuals or groups can contact the National Trust’s Stackpole for Outdoor Learning Centre www.stackpole.org.uk for further information.

How to get there

The main public access to the reserve is via the B4319 Pembroke-Castlemartin road.

_{Photo by Mike

Alexander, ©CCW}

Stackpole

From here, minor roads lead to National Trust car parks at Bosherston village, Stackpole Quay and Broadhaven.

Transport
For bus services to Pembroke, contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233 or on www.traveline-cymru.org.uk.

You can also reach the reserve by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Coastal Cruiser bus service from Pembroke or surrounding villages.

Facilities

Three National Trust car parks with toilet facilities serve access points close to the Bosherston Lakes Western Arm, Broadhaven Beach and Stackpole Quay.

Food and drink are available at Bosherston (pub and café) and at the National Trust Tea Room at Stackpole Quay. There are nearby campsites and B&B accommodation at Bosherston and Stackpole villages.

_{Photo by Mike

Alexander, ©CCW}

Stackpole

Who looks after it?

The National Trust (NT) owns and manages the reserve in partnership with CCW. You can contact the National Trust’s Wardens Office on 01646 661359. For more information about the Stackpole Estate and other National Trust properties in Pembrokeshire e-mail stackpole@nationaltrust.org.uk

You can contact CCW’s Western Team via our enquiries helpline, 0845 1306229, e-mail enquiries@ccw.gov.uk or write to us under the ‘Contact the team’ section on this website.

Wildlife

_{Photo by Mike

Alexander, ©CCW}

Stackpole

The coast boasts limestone cliffs, dunes and maritime grassland support many kinds of special plants and animals – including diminutive soil and rock lichens, numerous flowering plants and scarce insects.

The cliffs hold important breeding populations of chough and colonial seabirds. The rocky foreshore is also of marine biological importance.

Woodland within the NNR supports scarce epiphytic (tree) lichens as well as populations of breeding birds and bats.

Bosherston Lakes, a man-made shallow open freshwater body occupying three narrow, drowned valleys in the limestone, were created in the 18th and 19th centuries. The lakes have developed important diverse plant and animal communities. There are populations of:

Stackpole

white water lilies;
stonewort (Charophytes – bright green, spiny-looking plants of clear, lime-rich waters);
otters;
fish; and
many kinds of dragonfly.

Stackpole

Built structures at the head of the lakes support breeding populations of bats, including one of the largest populations of greater horseshoes bats in Britain.

Management within the NNR is directed at maintaining its exceptional biodiversity and landscape interests. This is done by preventing natural succession through a programme of grazing and control of invasive species such as bracken and scrub. At Bosherston Lakes, the main emphasis is on reducing nutrient in-puts, including prevention of siltation, to maintain open water communities and species. Visitor management and provision of information are also very important throughout the site.