MARINAS
MARINA LIFE
Aboard his boat Luna, coastal explorer William Thomson continues coast’s sailing tour of classic British harbours, this month exploring the regenerated harbour of Milford Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast
The waters off the coast of Pembrokeshire can be fierce; strong tides, gale-force winds and big swells often converge offshore to create ferocious seas. While this is happening, sailors in Milford Haven can enjoy a tranquil cruise around these glorious waterways – the Welsh equivalent of Falmouth’s Carrick Roads with its plethora of secret tributaries. The best shelter around Milford Haven is found in the marina, where lock gates keep the tide perpetually topped up. You call the harbour master for permission to enter, closing the gate behind you. Now nestled between two huge metal gates, water pours in and slowly you rise up, until the water level in the lock is the same as the marina. The front gates then open and in you glide, sheltered from the elements and surrounded by things to do.
If you don’t have a boat, you can still enjoy boat life by staying in one of the Floatel cabins. This is essentially a glamping pod that floats on the water, complete with a king-size bed, shower room, waterfront balcony and floor-toceiling windows to let the beautiful sunsets light up the space. You’re in the heart of the harbour, getting that true sense of waterside living, walking along the pontoons and chatting to sailors about the exotic seas they have just come from, are about to head off to, or simply dream of one day visiting. There’s a sense of adventure in marinas that’s intoxicating.
What I love most about being in marinas such as Milford Haven is you have the sense of peace that comes with being on the water, right in the middle of the town. Restaurants, pubs, cafés,
