Green Bridge of Wales: Location, Parking, How to Get There & What to See

June 11, 2026 George 0 Comments

The Green Bridge of Wales is the largest natural arch in Wales — a spectacular limestone sea arch on the Pembrokeshire coast near Castlemartin, standing approximately 24 metres (80 feet) high and 20 metres (66 feet) wide. The distinctive covering of grass and vegetation on its upper surface gives the arch its name. It is one of the most photographed natural features in Wales and one of the finest examples of natural coastal limestone architecture in Britain.

This guide covers the exact location of the Green Bridge of Wales, how to get there, parking, the Stack Rocks car park, what to see, the coast path walk, and all the practical information needed to plan your visit.

Green Bridge of Wales: Key Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Green Bridge of Wales (Pont Werdd Cymru in Welsh)
Type	Natural limestone sea arch
Height	Approximately 24 metres (80 feet)
Width	Approximately 20 metres (66 feet)
Location	Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, South-West Wales
Nearest postcode (car park)	SA71 5EQ (Stack Rocks / Elegug Stacks car park)
Grid Reference	SR 924 948
National Park	Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Parking	Free (Stack Rocks car park)
Access restriction	MOD Castlemartin firing range — access closed on firing days

Where Is the Green Bridge of Wales?

The Green Bridge of Wales is located on the south Pembrokeshire coast, on the Castlemartin Peninsula within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It sits approximately 5 miles south of Pembroke and about 30 minutes by car from Tenby. The arch is on the coast of the Castlemartin Range — a Ministry of Defence live firing range — which means access is only possible when the range is not in use. Firing takes place on weekdays; the range is generally open at weekends and on bank holidays, but always check the firing schedule before travelling.

The nearest town is Pembroke (approximately 5 miles north). The nearest beach is Freshwater West (approximately 3 miles west), which is also the location of Dobby’s Grave from the Harry Potter films. Bosherston Lily Ponds and Barafundle Bay are also within a short drive.

How to Get to the Green Bridge of Wales

By Car — The Main Route

The Green Bridge of Wales is not easy to reach by any route — the roads become progressively narrower as you approach, and the final stretch involves single-track lanes requiring care. The approach takes patience but the journey through the Castlemartin Peninsula is through some of the most remote and beautiful countryside in Pembrokeshire.

From Pembroke: Head south on the B4319 towards Castlemartin village. Pass through Castlemartin and continue south, following signs for Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge. The road narrows considerably after Castlemartin. Continue south until you reach the Stack Rocks car park — the Green Bridge is visible from the viewing platform a short walk from the car park.

From Tenby: Head west on the A4139 towards Pembroke. At Pembroke take the B4319 south towards Castlemartin and follow the directions above. Allow approximately 30 to 35 minutes from Tenby.

From Freshwater West beach (if combining with a visit to Dobby’s Grave): The Green Bridge car park is approximately 3 miles east of Freshwater West along the coast road — follow signs for Stack Rocks from the B4319.

Important: MOD Firing Range Access

The Green Bridge of Wales and the Stack Rocks area sit within the Castlemartin Range, a Ministry of Defence live artillery firing range. Access to the viewing area is restricted on days when the range is in use for firing. Firing typically takes place on weekdays and some Saturdays; the area is usually open at weekends, bank holidays, and during school holiday periods.

Before travelling: Check the MOD Castlemartin Range firing schedule at the official MOD website or by telephoning the range office. Red flags are flown at the range entrance and along the road when firing is in progress. Do not attempt to access the area when red flags are displayed.

Range office telephone: 01646 662367 or 01646 662321
Firing days: Typically weekdays; check in advance
Safe access: Weekends, bank holidays, and holiday periods — but always verify

Parking at the Green Bridge of Wales

The car park for the Green Bridge of Wales is the Stack Rocks car park at the end of the approach road on the Castlemartin Peninsula. The car park is free of charge and is the starting point for the short walk to both Stack Rocks (Elegug Stacks) and the Green Bridge viewing platform.

Parking detail	Information
Car park name	Stack Rocks car park (Elegug Stacks)
Postcode	SA71 5EQ
Grid Reference	SR 924 948
Cost	Free
Surface	Gravel/informal — large and capable of accommodating coaches
Facilities	No toilets at the car park itself
Walk to Green Bridge	Approximately 5 minutes on foot from the car park

The Walk from the Car Park to the Green Bridge

From the Stack Rocks car park, the walk to the Green Bridge of Wales is short and straightforward:

From the car park, walk towards the coast. Stack Rocks (Elegug Stacks) are immediately visible ahead — two dramatic limestone pillars standing in the sea with nesting seabirds. The path continues west along the cliff top for approximately 300 to 400 metres to the Green Bridge viewing platform.

The viewing platform is purpose-built with a safety railing and smartphone camera holders set up at the correct angle for the most photogenic shot of the arch. The platform provides the best vantage point over the arch and the sea beyond.

Total time from car park to viewing platform: approximately 5 minutes. Total time for a comfortable visit including Stack Rocks and the arch: 20 to 30 minutes.

Footwear: The path is relatively flat and well-maintained, but the cliff edge is exposed. Sensible footwear recommended.
Children: Keep children within the safety barriers; the cliff edge drops directly to the sea.

Stack Rocks — Don’t Miss These on the Same Visit

Stack Rocks (Elegug Stacks in Welsh) are two limestone sea stacks standing immediately in front of the car park, separated from the mainland by the action of the sea over thousands of years. They are among the finest sea stacks in Wales and provide outstanding wildlife watching:

Guillemots: Stack Rocks supports one of the largest accessible guillemot colonies in Wales. From April to July, the stacks are densely covered with nesting guillemots at extraordinarily close range — the viewing area is almost at eye level with the nesting birds.
Razorbills: Nesting alongside guillemots on the stacks.
Kittiwakes: Nesting on the stacks in spring and early summer.
Choughs: The distinctive red-billed, red-legged member of the crow family is seen in this area; Wales holds much of the UK’s chough population.

Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge together make for one of the best combined coastal nature and scenery stops in Pembrokeshire. Allow time at both.

What Makes the Green Bridge of Wales Special?

The Green Bridge of Wales stands out among British natural arches for several reasons:

Size: At approximately 24 metres high and 20 metres wide, it is the largest natural arch in Wales and one of the largest in Britain.
Vegetation: The grass and plant cover on the arch’s upper surface (which gives rise to its name) is unusual — most sea arches are bare rock, making the green-topped appearance of this arch distinctive and photogenic.
Accessibility: The viewing platform makes the arch easily visible from a very short walk, unlike many comparable natural features that require strenuous hikes.
Geological context: The Castlemartin Peninsula is composed of Carboniferous limestone, which erodes to create sea arches, stacks, and caves. The Green Bridge represents a stage in the geological process by which a cave erodes through a headland to form an arch; eventually the arch roof collapses to leave isolated stacks like Elegug Stacks nearby.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path — Walking from the Green Bridge

The Green Bridge of Wales sits directly on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which runs along the cliff tops throughout this stretch of the south Pembrokeshire coast. From the Stack Rocks car park, the coast path offers walks in both directions with outstanding cliff scenery:

East towards St Govan’s Chapel (approximately 2 miles): The path heads east towards Broad Haven South beach and the extraordinary St Govan’s Chapel — a tiny 13th-century chapel built into a cleft in the cliff face, accessible down a flight of stone steps. The cliff scenery between the Green Bridge and St Govan’s is among the finest on the Pembrokeshire coast.
West towards Freshwater West (approximately 3 miles): The path heads west through continued coastal scenery towards Freshwater West beach.

Note: Both sections of coast path are within the MOD firing range and subject to the same access restrictions. Check the firing schedule before planning a coast path walk from here.

Footwear recommendation: Mid-ankle walking boots are minimum recommended for any coast path walking in this area. The paths can be muddy, and the cliff-top terrain is uneven. Do not approach the cliff edge without appropriate footwear.

Nearby Attractions to Combine with a Visit

Freshwater West Beach: Approximately 3 miles west — an expansive sandy beach on Cardigan Bay, the filming location for Dobby’s Grave in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Dobby’s fan shrine is in the sand dunes above the beach.
Bosherston Lily Ponds: Approximately 5 miles east — a National Trust-managed series of lily-covered freshwater ponds, beautiful when the lily pads bloom in June and July. The walk through the lily ponds to Barafundle Bay is one of the finest coastal walks in Pembrokeshire.
Barafundle Bay: One of the most beautiful beaches in Wales, accessible only on foot via the coast path from Stackpole Quay car park (approximately 1 mile). No road access and no facilities — one of the best unspoilt beaches in Britain.
St Govan’s Chapel: A tiny medieval chapel in a cleft in the cliff, accessible via 52 stone steps from the cliff top. An extraordinary and atmospheric site. Subject to MOD range firing restrictions — check access before visiting.
Pembroke Castle: Approximately 5 miles north — the birthplace of Henry VII and one of the finest Norman castles in Wales. Well worth combining with a Green Bridge visit.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Always check the MOD firing schedule before travelling: The area is inaccessible on firing days. The range office number is 01646 662367. Red flags visible at the entrance indicate firing in progress — do not proceed.
Best time to visit for wildlife: April to July for guillemots and razorbills on Stack Rocks at the closest range.
Best time for photography: Late afternoon light is generally best for the arch. Overcast days reduce harsh shadows. Sunrise visits (the road is accessed from the east) can be exceptional with low light on the arch.
No toilets at the car park: The nearest public conveniences are in Pembroke or at Freshwater West beach (approximately 3 miles west).
Combining with Dobby’s Grave: Freshwater West is only 3 miles west, making the two an easy combination for a half-day exploring the south Pembrokeshire coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Green Bridge of Wales?

The Green Bridge of Wales is on the Castlemartin Peninsula in south Pembrokeshire, approximately 5 miles south of Pembroke and 30 minutes from Tenby. The nearest postcode for the Stack Rocks car park (from which you view the arch) is SA71 5EQ. Grid reference SR 924 948. The arch is within the MOD Castlemartin firing range and access is restricted on firing days — always check before travelling.

Is the Green Bridge of Wales free to visit?

Yes — entry to the viewing area and the Stack Rocks car park is free. There is no admission charge to view the arch from the clifftop viewing platform.

When is the Green Bridge of Wales open?

The Green Bridge is within the MOD Castlemartin live firing range and access is restricted on firing days. The area is typically open at weekends, bank holidays, and during school holiday periods, but firing can also occur at these times. Always verify access by checking the MOD Castlemartin Range firing schedule online or by telephoning the range office on 01646 662367 before travelling.

Can you walk under the Green Bridge of Wales?

No — the Green Bridge of Wales is a sea arch standing over the water, and direct access to its base requires boat access or cliff descents that are not open to the public. The arch is viewed from the cliff-top viewing platform. Walking on or through the arch itself is not possible.

Final Thoughts

The Green Bridge of Wales is one of those natural features that genuinely exceeds expectations on arrival. The scale of the arch, the drama of the cliff setting, the adjacent spectacle of Stack Rocks, and the relative ease of access make it one of the most rewarding short visits in Pembrokeshire. Combined with Freshwater West and Bosherston in a full day circuit of the south Pembrokeshire coast, it sits in a cluster of some of the finest coastal scenery in Wales.

The only practical hurdle is the MOD range — check the firing schedule before you go, and plan your visit for a weekend or holiday period when access is almost always available.