Needle Rock

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Pembrokeshire

Wales

Needle Rock

Dinas Head Seen from the road from Fishguard to Newport — Dinas Head Credit: Deborah Tilley

Needle Rock is a prominent coastal feature located on the Pembrokeshire coastline, in southwestern Wales. It is a stunning headland that juts out into the Celtic Sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The rock formation gets its name from its tall, narrow shape, which resembles a giant needle rising from the ocean.

This natural wonder is made up of rugged cliffs, formed over millions of years by the relentless pounding of the sea. The cliffs are composed of layers of sedimentary rock, displaying a variety of colors, including shades of red, brown, and gray. These colorful layers add to the visual appeal of Needle Rock, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers.

The headland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, thanks to its unique coastal habitat. The rugged cliffs provide nesting sites for seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors may also spot kestrels and peregrine falcons soaring above the rock, hunting for prey in the surrounding waters.

Needle Rock is easily accessible by foot, with several walking trails in the area. The headland offers stunning panoramic views of the coastline, including nearby beaches and coves. On clear days, visitors can even see the distant outline of the Preseli Hills to the north.

Overall, Needle Rock is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline. Its striking appearance, diverse wildlife, and panoramic views make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the region.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Needle Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.031119/-4.8942126 or Grid Reference SN0140. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dinas Head

Seen from the road from Fishguard to Newport

Deborah Tilley

Perilous point

There is some inconsistency between different versions of the Ordnance Survey as to whether this or the next headland is Pen Sidan. Either way, the only reason for scrambling down here was to claim another green square! It's very steep and accessible only via paths made by sheep - and even they sometimes come a cropper, as reported in the local newspaper recently: "Things went a bit woolly for Fishguard's inshore lifeboat crew yesterday afternoon, as they had a sheep on board. The animal had become stranded at the bottom of a cliff near Dinas Head. Fishguard coastguard rescue team was also called to the scene. The baaad sheep was helped aboard the inshore lifeboat, who landed in a safe place. They then delivered the animal to the coastguard team who took her back to the farmer."

Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff