Located at the mouth of the River Gwaun, Fishguard is a historic coastal town in Pembrokeshire. It was once an important herring fishery and hosted a significant battle during the War of the First Coalition. Fishguard is named after the ancient fish traps that can be seen here at low tide and are believed to date from Saxon times.
Things to do in Fishguard
Perched atop a rocky promontory at Castle Point are the remains of Fishguard Fort, which was completed in 1781 following a privateer attack. It played an important role in the 1797 Battle of Fishguard, otherwise known as the “last invasion of mainland Britain”. Wander along the curtain wall and visit the vaulted ammunition storehouse before admiring the four restored cannons mounted on the gun battery.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss the Ocean Lab Aquarium, which is located in the neighbouring town of Goodwick. It's managed by Sea Trust Wales, a charity that is dedicated to conserving local marine life and runs Seashore Safaris along the coast. At the aquarium, you can get up close to moon jellyfish, crabs and anemones before experiencing the hands-on Rock Pool Adventure Tank.
Fishguard makes an excellent base for visiting the Dyffryn Fernant Garden, which was created by a passionate horticulturalist, Christina Shand. It features a kitchen garden, a bog garden and an azalea bank, as well as a fernery and an orchard filled with fruit trees. Combine your visit with a hike up Dinas Mountain, which offers magnificent views across the region.
Getting around Fishguard
Fishguard is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Swansea and 2.5 hours from Cardiff Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect to the Fishguard & Goodwick railway station, which is a five-minute drive from the town centre. Fishguard is compact enough to explore on foot.