Lower Town Fishguard

Quayside cottages, a tidal harbour and a coastline full of stories. Lower Town Fishguard is a lovely place to pause—and the starting point for a Kayak King coastal adventure.

The old harbour of Fishguard

Lower Town sits beneath the main town of Fishguard, at the mouth of the River Gwaun. Its cluster of waterfront cottages and working harbour give it a character all of its own.

The view changes with the tide: boats float at high water and the harbour reveals its mud and shore at low water. Take time to enjoy the quay, look towards the bay and watch the birds feeding along the water’s edge.

A coast worth exploring

Beyond the harbour, the north Pembrokeshire coastline opens into rocky shores, cliffs and sheltered corners. From a kayak you gain a different view of the land, looking back towards the headlands and watching the coastline unfold at water level.

Our guides choose a route for the day’s sea conditions and the group. Caves and arches are part of the coast’s appeal, but access to them depends on the weather and water conditions.

Fishguard Fort and its harbour views

Above Lower Town, Fishguard Fort provides a viewpoint over the harbour and bay. The fort’s cannons and coastal position are reminders of the area’s seafaring past.

The story reaches back to a privateer’s attack on Fishguard in 1779, after which the fort was built to help defend the harbour. It is a rewarding place to connect the landscape with the history around you.

The Last Invasion and its tapestry

In February 1797, a French force landed at Carreg Wastad, west of Fishguard. The episode is remembered as the Last Invasion of mainland Britain, with local people—including Jemima Nicholas—playing a part in the story.

The Last Invasion Tapestry brings that history to life in a remarkable piece of community embroidery. You can find the gallery in Fishguard Library, on the first floor of the Town Hall in Market Square.

Check the tapestry’s visiting information

Lower Town on the big screen

The harbour has also played a part in film history. Lower Town was used for the film of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, and Fishguard featured in Moby Dick starring Gregory Peck.

Walking along the quay, it is easy to see why this distinctive waterfront has attracted filmmakers as well as visitors.

Marine life and wildlife around Fishguard

Grey seals, coastal seabirds and feeding shorebirds are among the wildlife associated with this stretch of coast. What you see varies with the season and conditions, so bring your curiosity rather than a checklist of guaranteed sightings.

Our guides enjoy sharing what they know about the coastline and the life around it. We watch quietly and give wildlife space.

Discover Pembrokeshire’s marine life—and Lou’s guide to coastal wildlife

See Lower Town from the water

Make a visit to Fishguard part of a coastal adventure. Our guided kayak tours last 2.5 hours, use stable sit-on-top kayaks and include equipment and photos. Beginners are welcome.