Set on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, the pretty towns of Fishguard and neighbouring Goodwick are attracting growing interest from house hunters. 

Combining Lower Fishguard, a typical fishing village located where the River Gwaun meets the sea, and the main town where you’ll find the church, shops and more modern development, alongside the twin town of Goodwick, the area has lots to offer. A fascinating history, a thriving tourism industry, charming shops, and modern amenities, together with ferry services to Ireland and rail services to Cardiff and Swansea, make this part of West Wales an attractive place to live and work.

You can find out more about life in Fishguard and Goodwick here, or get in touch and we’ll be happy to have a chat with you about the town and the latest properties for sale. You can also read about the other towns and villages of West Wales and Cardigan Bay in our Location Guides.

History

The history of Fishguard and Goodwick is rich and varied, with the town dating back to the Viking era between 950 and 1000 AD when it was established as a Norse trading post. The English name actually comes from Old Norse in which ‘Fiskigaror’ means a fish-catching area, and the town was called Fiscard until the 19th century.

The area has witnessed a number of battles through the years, including in 1078 when Goodwick Moor saw Rhys, son of Owain ap Edwyn, slain by Trahaearn ap Caradog in the Battle of Pwllgwdg.

Later, Lower Fishguard developed to become a key herring port, and in 1779 its success led to it being raided by the Black Prince, an American privateer ship. Following this attack, Fishguard Fort was built to help protect the town and its people.

Fishguard is perhaps best known as where the ‘last invasion of mainland Britain’ took place. This dates back to 1797 when 1400 French soldiers invaded the coastline here, only to surrender after just two days. 

Today there is a monument just outside Fishguard that commemorates the signing of the Peace Treaty that followed the battle, as well as a memorial stone in the 19th-century church to Jemima Nicholas who is said to have been a key figure in fighting off the invaders. There is also a beautiful tapestry on display in Fishguard Town Hall that depicts the story of the invasion.

Tourism & Recreation

Fishguard is popular with tourists for its history, scenery and activities. One of the main attractions is the Last Invasion Tapestry. Similar in style to the Bayeux Tapestry, it is an incredible 30m long and was sewn by local women in 1997 to mark the bicentenary of the event.

Also worth visiting is Fishguard Fort, the remains of which can be seen near the Lower Town. The Fort acted as a deterrent to the French forces in 1797 and led to them landing further down the coast at Strumble Head, while the local militia prepared for the fight.

You can also see history from even further back at the ancient stones of Pentre Ifan, which are the remains of an ancient Neolithic tomb.

Away from history, the town’s beautiful coastal location means there are plenty of water sports and activities to enjoy, as well as wildlife to discover.

Keen cyclists and walkers are spoilt for choice with paths along the picturesque coastline and in the nearby Preseli Hills. Quiet roads and a mixture of both flat and hilly routes means there is something for everyone.

Surfing is a popular pastime here and you’ll regularly see people heading out to catch some waves at the weekends or after work. There’s also kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, coasteering and more, with a choice of clubs and activity providers welcoming all ages and levels.

If you’re a keen fisherperson, then Fishguard and Goodwick have some fantastic fishing spots. Whether you prefer sea angling or fishing in peaceful lakes, this area has plenty of choice.

You should also look out for the varied sea life here, which includes dolphins, grey seals and porpoises, while numerous birds also make their homes here, including the great cormorant and the Eurasion curlew.

For horse riding enthusiasts there’s a whole host of lovely bridleways to explore, and if you’re looking for a good riding stable try Harvard Stables which offers a range of rides, lessons and pony days.

Fishguard also has a leisure centre with a 25m swimming pool, a children’s learner pool, a modern fitness suite, a dance studio and outdoor tennis courts. 

Music is also hugely popular here, with a range of music festivals to enjoy, including the Fishguard and West Wales International Music Festival, the Fishguard Folk Festival and Aberjazz.

Shopping

Perhaps one of the most attractive elements of Fishguard and Goodwick is the number of charming, independent shops that thrive here. From cosy bookshops such as Seaways and the fabulous locally-made items at Fishguard Artisans to the beautiful bouquets of The Flower Garden and the lovely Sanz, there is a lot to inspire you.

There are also two weekly markets –  the Fishguard Thursday Market which takes place at the Town Hall from 8am to 3pm each week, and the Fishguard Farmers Market, which also takes place at the Town Hall every Saturday from 9am until 1pm.

For grocery shopping, the town has a Tesco Express at Goodwick, as well as a CK Supermarket and a Co-op Food store in the main town. You’ll also find The Gourmet Pig Deli for a range of unique food products, the Bluestone Brewing Company for locally crafted beers, Gwaun Valley Meats for fresh meat products, and the incredible 7 Sins Bakery for a treat!

There are also two Post Offices – one in the main town and one in Goodwick.

Eating & Drinking

With so many great food shops here, it’s no surprise that there is a fantastic choice of cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways. From traditional fish and chips to delicious Indian food, Chinese dishes and Italian there’s something to suit all tastes.

For great fish and chips and ice cream try Hooked @31 on West Street, while The Gourmet Pig offers some delicious snacks such as Welsh rarebit and a range of coffees. The Shack, set by the sea, is also a fantastic cafe to try, with amazing ice creams, waffle sticks and more, while other cafes include Cresswell’s Cafe, the Popty Cafe which does gourmet burgers, and the Red Onion Garden Cafe where you can try some of their amazing cakes.

If you’re looking for a restaurant then try The Royal Oak, set in the centre of Fishguard. The menu here includes dishes such as oven-roasted belly pork, salt & pepper squid and a children’s menu. Other options include Hot Chilli Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, the JT Abergwaun Hotel, the Rose and Crown at Goodwick, and Peppers on West Street which serves delicious lamb baked with cumin, Polish meatballs, Bakewell tart and more. 

The town also has a good choice of bars and pubs for you to discover!

Healthcare

The Fishguard Health Centre is located on Ropewalk in Fishguard and is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 12.30, and 1pm to 6pm. There are several doctors and nurses who work here, as well as a pharmacist, and the practice provides a range of services including a health visitor, a community nurse and a midwife.

For dental care, there is a choice of two dentists – the West Street Dental Practice as well as Vergam Dental, while for eye care there is Michael N Charlton Optometrists.

There are also two pharmacies – a Boots pharmacy on Market Square in Fishguard, as well as Myrtle Pharmacy on Goodwick Square.

If you have a pet there are two vets in the town – The Oak Veterinary Group on Feidr Castell and Fishguard Veterinary Services at Trem Y Mor. 

Schools

If you have children of primary school age then there are two options – the Holy Name Catholic Primary School or the Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, both of which offer a welcoming start for young minds.

For secondary education, the town has its own high school – Ysgol Bro Gwaun, which has a good reputation and also provides a range of clubs such as sports, IT, music and agriculture. 

For further education take a look at Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest, about half an hour from Fishguard. Offering additional education choices for school leavers and adults, as well as apprenticeship programmes, the college offers everything from animal care to brickwork and business.

Transport

Rail services run from Fishguard Harbour station to both Swansea and Cardiff, making it easy to access these larger cities and to travel on to the rest of the UK. You can find out more about the timings here.

There is also a regular ferry service to Rosslare in Ireland with Stena Line if you want to explore a little further afield.

For day-to-day transport, there are buses connecting the different areas of Fishguard and Goodwick, and providing services to the surrounding villages. You can read more about the full range of bus services on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. 

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about life in Fishguard and Goodwick please contact us. You can call us on 01239 562 500 to discuss your move to Fishguard or any of the other towns and villages of West Wales. To help you plan your move further you can also take a look at these other websites – 

• Things to Do – Click Here
• Transport – Click Here
• 48 Hours in Fishguard – Click Here
• Property management and lettings – Click Here