Paragliding
Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is one of the UK's premier paragliding regions — a network of coastal and inland ridge sites strung along the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The combination of clean Atlantic airflow, low-altitude cliff sites, and the long coastline running in multiple directions means there's almost always a flyable site somewhere on a day when other UK regions are grounded.

What to expect

Coastal cliff-soaring at sites like Newgale, Druidstone and Strumble Head — gentle, predictable ridge-lift on a clean onshore breeze. Inland sites at the Preselis offer thermal flying for more experienced pilots when conditions allow. The full British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association club network covers the area; visiting pilots should make contact with the local club before flying. Tandem and course providers operate from St Davids and Haverfordwest.

Practical notes

April-October is the practical paragliding season; winter cliff-soaring is possible on calmer days. Weather is the constant variable — Pembrokeshire catches Atlantic fronts head-on and forecasts can change rapidly. St Davids, Solva and Newport are the natural bases — all have good cafes, accommodation and easy access to the coast path. Bring full waterproofs; a flight that starts in sunshine can finish in rain. Coastal flying involves rapid weather assessment which makes Pembrokeshire excellent for developing those skills.

Who it suits

Pembrokeshire suits everyone from first-timers to experienced coastal-soaring pilots. With cliff and inland sites running in many directions along the national park coast, there is almost always somewhere flyable when other regions are blown out.

Getting there

The flying sites are spread along the Pembrokeshire coast. The nearest stations are Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock on the line from Swansea, but the cliff sites are scattered around the coastline, so a car is the practical way to reach them on the day.

Quick answers

Is Pembrokeshire good for beginners?

Yes. The low-altitude coastal cliff sites and clean Atlantic airflow make it a forgiving place to learn coastal soaring.

How long does it take to learn to fly?

A BHPA Elementary course takes a few days; an independent Club Pilot rating usually takes a season of weather-dependent days.

When is the best time of year?

Spring to autumn, though the variety of coastal aspects means flyable days crop up across much of the year.