Pembrokeshire – Milford Haven
Milford Haven was built in its current style by Sir Charles Francis Greville around 1790 and much of its activity still centres around one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, where the Milford Marina was opened by the Duke of York in 1991 and played host to the start of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race that same year.
It has been an area of historic significance since it was first raided by the Vikings and in the intervening years the town has seen Henry Tudor leave nearby Dale on his march in Bosworth Fields to start the Tudor dynasty, Oliver Cromwell sailed from there to Ireland in 1649 and Lord Nelson visited the town in 1802 and was highly impressed by the harbour. The Milford Haven Museum shows all this and lots more from the town’s colourful past!
The Docks provided a natural focal point for the fishing industry that was strong until the middle of the 20th century and then the oil industry took over and still exists today via Chevron Texaco and Total. The town itself has fought back well from their loss and the Dock houses large stores such as Tescos, Be-Wise, CBS, In-Store and Boots.
The main street has a number of interesting shops and includes FBM as the newest Estate Agents, and food can be found at Martha’s Vineyard, the Watergarden Restaurant, Charthouse Restaurant and the Lord Nelson Hotel, which is well-known place to stay alongside the Starboard Hotel and the nearby Beggar’s Reach Hotel.
A number of activities naturally revolve around the waterway as Dale Sea Safari, Pembrokeshire Dive Charters and Shearwater Safaris provide sea excursions whilst the Phoenix Bowl is a popular place for ten-pin bowling. On the sporting front, there are rugby, football, swimming, snooker and bowls clubs, with cricket played in many of the nearby villages. There is also an excellent 18-hole golf club that has superb views of the estuary.
The Torch Theatre hosts regular drama and musicals, plus films, whilst the Milford Haven Town Band and Milford Haven Operatic Society both provide outlets for those with a musical talent. The town also has the Dockside Gallery, Arts Club, Civic Society, Heritage and Maritime Museum Trust, and plays host to the Pembrokeshire Caledonian Society.
Churches in the town include St Katharine’s and St Peter, St Mary’s, St Francis Roman Catholic and Steynton Church, plus North Road Baptist, Methodist and Christian Fellowship. They all offer a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike!
