Freshwater East is a village in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The majority of the village is on a cliff overlooking a bay. It is approximately 7 miles (11 km) from Pembroke by road, and 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Lamphey, and is in the parish and community of Lamphey. Freshwater East is the site of a Green Coast Award Beach.[1]
History
There is evidence of prehistoric occupation to the east of the village, where there is an earthwork.[2] Freshwater is marked on a 1578 parish map, but apparently as a coastal place, rather than a parish.[3]
The historic name for the bay is Welsh: Porth Lliw,[4] and this is still in occasional use today.[5]
In more modern times, the stream would provide fresh water for ships, giving it its name. In Victorian times it became established as a bathing venue.[6] The beach is named as Freshwater East on a pre-1850 parish map, with little sign of a settlement, apart from a large house named Portclew (probably built around 1800;[7] the name is a form of the bay's historic Welsh name), and a chapel.[8]
In 1860, county horse races were held on the beach.[6]
Surfing is possible in winter, and the beach is popular in summer. There is a cafe, toilet and parking.[13]The Freshwater Inn is the village pub, serving food. The dunes, known as The Burrows, are a nature reserve.[6]
