By Alaric 
There are some gorgeous places on the Pembrokeshire Coast of South Wales but a truly magical place is Church Doors Cove.
It’s a golden sand beach at the bottom of the cliffs with two tall arches in the sandstone. This is what gives the cove its curious name.
It’s also a bit of a hidden gem in this area so it is a secluded paradise. I was pretty much the only person there on my visit and I relished the peace.
Although the walk is short, you do have to plan your visit around the tide times and be mindful of a steep walk via many steps to access the inlet.
Here is how to visit Church Doors Cove & Skrinkle Haven Beach with practical tips for your visit.
What is Church Doors Cove?
Church Doors Cove is ideal if you’re looking for a secluded, wild and rugged beach in Pembrokeshire National Park.
It has a golden stretch of sand by the glittering sea at low tide, and there are also fascinating cliff formations to explore.
The cove gets its name from the dramatic archways in the jagged sandstone that resembles church doors.
You can even walk through these ‘doors’ and it’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
Whether you wish to sunbathe on the rocks, paddle in the sea or just take a look around, this cove is well worth your time.
You can also access Skrinkle Haven Beach from here, another secret slice of paradise in Wales.
Where is Church Doors Cove in Wales?
Church Doors Cove is located in a remote area of Pembrokeshire South Coast between the villages of Monobier and Lydstep.
The easiest and most convenient way to get there is to drive and it’s around a 15-minute journey from the popular seaside town of Tenby on the A1439.
The closest village is Manorbier and there is a large parking area at YHA Manorbier.
It’s then only a short five-minute walk along the cliffs and down a staircase to the beach.
If you’re not driving, you can take a bus from Tenby to Manorbier House on the 349 bus service heading to Haverfordwest. Then you would have to head to the coast path from there.
These buses run every hour normally but always plan your return journey ahead of time and expect fewer buses on Sundays and public holidays.
If you’re up for a longer walk, you could visit this beach as part of the Wales Coast Path.
You can walk from Tenby or there’s a lovely rugged cliff walk from Manorbier to Freshwater East.
Parking options
There is a parking area in front of Manorbier YHA that you can use that is chargeable. This has facilities like a café and toilets to use when it’s open.
Alternatively, you can drive 500 metres further along towards the cliffs and find a few smaller car parks that are free of charge.
These have limited spaces but are very convenient as the walk is shorter to the cove.
I visited around midday in October when it was lovely and sunny but there were 50-60 mph winds.
Naturally, not many people wanted to visit that day. But, that meant there were only a handful of cars and lots of space.
Always check the tide times!
Another important thing to mention is that Church Doors Cove & Skrinkle Haven Beach are best visited at low tide.
You can visit parts of Church Doors Cove at mid-tide but you will mostly be traversing over boulders.
It’s only at low tide you’ll find the gold sand and have easier access to the large archways.
For the best experience and your safety, I recommend visiting at low tide.
That way you can visit everything without risk. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
You can easily check the tide times online but phone signal is limited in this area. So, check before you go and take a screenshot or check in the YHA.
How to reach Church Doors Cove
From the small car parks by the cliff edge, you can step straight onto the coast path that will lead you down to Church Doors Cove.
It’s only a five-minute walk to the beach but can be quite steep in places.
In October, it was also very slippery with mud so take care and wear sensible shoes.
Eventually, you’ll see a sign pointing to the cove on the headland and a very steep but concrete staircase will lead you down the cliffs.
The view from up here is spectacular, so make sure to have your camera ready!
Descend the concrete stairs and they will then make way for another steep metal staircase.
It’s these metal steps that will lead you directly onto the beach. Thankfully, the gap from the stairs to the sand is small, unlike others I’ve been to.
There is a seating area partway through if you need to rest and handrails which I was very grateful for on the way back up.
Exploring the cove
Once you finally get onto the beach it’s quite easy to explore. But, you do have to climb over boulders to reach the gold sand and the sea.
The upside is that these large rocks make great places to sit and relax as they absorb the heat in good weather!
The thing that fascinated me the most was the huge and narrow arch in the cliff that gives the cove its namesake.
It does look like a giant door and you can walk through this dramatic archway to explore the other side of the cove.
Most of the time there is a cold rock pool at the bottom. So, prepare to paddle or have waterproof boots on to cross through.
It was lovely and sunny on my visit but far from sunbathing weather in October, especially with the constant chilly breeze.
But, I didn’t mind at all. I was quite happy to wander, take in the views and snap some photos.
Visiting Skinkle Haven Beach
There are no longer stairs that can lead you directly to Skrinkle Haven Beach as these have collapsed.
So, the only way to access the beach is by using a narrow gap in the cliffs from Church Doors Cove (pictured below).
There’s also a slight drop on the other side as the beaches are at different levels.
This is only accessible two hours before and after low tide so make sure to time your visit well as you don’t want to be stuck!
There are signs on the way down warning you not to access the beach this way as there is the danger of being stranded.
I heeded this warning and didn’t take the risk. Hopefully, there will be a safer way to visit as Skrinkle Haven looks beautiful.
Are there any facilities?
No, there aren’t any facilities at the beach whatsoever, there’s not even a lifeguard. It’s rugged, wild and secluded which is why it’s so special.
So, you will need to take everything you need with you on your visit and remain wary of the tide.
Just remember to take any rubbish with you as there are no bins either. No one likes a litterbug.
My top tips for visiting
- Check the tide times before you go as most of the sand can only be accessed at low tide.
- Wear ankle-supporting footwear for the walk down and around the cove. The cliffs are steep and sometimes muddy. The cove also has lots of slippery boulders and seaweed.
- Church Doors Cove is dog-friendly all year.
- Even in summer, the water can be freezing! I paddled and my feet were numb haha.
Is Church Doors Cove worth visiting?
Yes, I’ve visited many places on the Pembrokeshire Coast now but Church Doors Cove was truly fascinating.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the giant arch and I relished this peaceful oasis by the sea.
It’s not as well known as other beaches in Pembrokeshire so you can enjoy this scenic haven without crowds most of the year.
It does take a bit of a walk and climb to get there but your efforts will be well rewarded with paradise!
Looking for places to visit nearby?
This side of the Pembrokeshire Coast is one of my favourite places in the world as there is so much beauty to explore.
Just up the road from Church Doors Cove, you can visit St Govan’s Chapel, an ancient temple built in the cliffs dating back to the 6th century.
There’s free parking and you take a short but dramatic walk down to the sea. It’s utterly magical.
The Green Bridge of Wales is also a place I recommend located nearby. It’s another scenic sea arch on the cliffs with the Elegug Stacks.
Again, there’s a free car park and you walk five minutes over the cliffs to a panoramic viewpoint.
You can also find the quaint village of Bosherton and take a walk to see the famous Bosherton Lily Ponds and Broad Haven Beach.
If you’re a Potterhead, I recommend visiting Freshwater West Beach where they filmed Shell Cottage in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Fans have made a memorial for the Free Elf in the dunes, so make sure to read my guide on how to find Dobby’s Grave.
Tenby is another one of my favourite places in Wales. A town filled with colourful houses, restaurants, a castle and tidal islands. It’s a great base to explore this area on a road trip.
Read more of my South Wales guides
Best 3 Days in Wales itinerary
Visit the Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire
The Witcher filming locations in Wales
Castell Coch – Visit the Fairytale Castle of Wales
The best bookshops in Hay-on-Wye
How to visit Henrhyd Falls from Batman
How to visit Llanthony Priory
Best things to do in Monmouth
Save Church Doors Cove & Skrinkle Haven Beach for later!
