A beautifully restored period cottage on the banks of the Cresswell River. Six guests. Log fires. Gardens reaching to the water's edge.
Cresswell House stands at the edge of the Cresswell River — a handsome period property that has been meticulously brought back to life without sacrificing an ounce of its original character.
Original stonework, exposed timber beams and wide-board oak floors sit alongside every modern comfort you could wish for. The gardens slope gently down to the water's edge, where herons stalk the shallows and kingfishers flash past in brilliant arcs of colour. Inside, a proper log burner anchors the sitting room — the natural gathering place after a day on the coast path or out on the river.
The house sleeps six across three well-appointed bedrooms, each with its own outlook across either the river or the surrounding Pembrokeshire countryside. It is the sort of place you arrive at and immediately feel the tension leave your shoulders.
Cresswell House has been furnished and equipped with the same care that went into its restoration — nothing overlooked, nothing superfluous.
A substantial cast-iron log burner dominates the sitting room hearth. There is a generous log store outside, restocked throughout your stay. On cool evenings there is no finer seat in Pembrokeshire.
The gardens are planted for year-round colour and wildlife: ox-eye daisies, foxgloves, native hedging and a productive kitchen garden. A stone-paved terrace with outdoor furniture sits just above the riverbank.
Exposed beams, wide oak floorboards and deep window ledges tell the story of the building's age. Furnishings are curated — warm, comfortable and properly thought through, not a hotel replica or rental afterthought.
Step through the garden gate and you are on the river. Canoe or kayak directly from the property at high tide. At low tide the reed beds and mudflats become a spectacle of wading birds and wildfowl.
A properly equipped country kitchen with range cooker, good knives, cast-iron pans and everything needed for celebratory meals. Local food producers are within easy reach, and the kitchen is set up to do them justice.
Cresswell Quay is one of Pembrokeshire's quieter corners. The hamlet has a single pub at the water's edge and that is all. There are no through-roads, no coach-party sights, no noise beyond the river and the birds.
Each room is individually furnished and makes the most of the light and views that the house affords.
The principal bedroom occupies the first-floor front of the house with wide windows overlooking the Cresswell River. A handsome king-size bed with a wool headboard, beside tables and proper reading lamps. Wake up to herons and the sound of the tide.
A generous double room to the rear with a view across the kitchen garden and the surrounding fields. Calming, light-filled and furnished in muted linen tones. A well-chosen antique chest and a window seat add character.
The twin bedroom is ideal for children or a second couple. Two comfortable single beds, each with its own reading lamp. A cheerful, well-proportioned room with a view down towards the old quayside.
The house also has a full family bathroom with a roll-top bath and separate shower, plus a ground-floor cloakroom for returning from the river or the coast path.
Enquire NowThe house sits in the village of Cresswell Quay, a handful of cottages and a centuries-old pub ranged around the tidal inlet of the Cresswell River.
The location is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park — the only coastal national park in the United Kingdom — and gives effortless access to some of Britain's finest walking, wildlife and coastal scenery. The famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs nearby, and the quieter inland trails of the Daugleddau Estuary are almost on the doorstep.
Yet despite all this, Cresswell Quay itself remains unhurried and genuinely unspoilt. The nearest town is Pembroke, seven miles away, with good food shops and a magnificent Norman castle. Tenby, Saundersfoot and the outstanding sandy beaches of Barafundle Bay and Freshwater East are all within comfortable reach.
From the waterside garden to the most dramatic headlands in Wales, Cresswell House places every kind of outdoor adventure within easy reach.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path — 186 miles of wild clifftop drama. Day sections from Stackpole to St Govan's are among the finest walking in Britain.
Launch directly from the garden at high tide. The tidal Daugleddau Estuary offers sheltered paddling through remote creeks and ancient oak woodland — one of Wales's best-kept secrets.
The Daugleddau is one of Wales's premier birdwatching estuaries. Curlew, redshank, little egret and peregrine are regular. In summer, puffins and razorbills breed on nearby offshore islands.
Pembroke Castle, birthplace of Henry VII, is nearby. Carew Castle with its Celtic cross and tidal mill is barely three miles from the house. Manorbier Castle overlooks a perfect sandy cove.
Barafundle Bay, Freshwater East and Broad Haven South are all within a short drive — clean-water beaches of exceptional quality.
The National Cycle Network runs through Pembrokeshire. Quiet lanes and converted rail trails link villages without significant traffic.
Bass, mullet and pollock from the local beaches. Boat trips depart from Tenby and Pembroke Dock for deeper-water fishing expeditions.
Pembrokeshire is widely regarded as the home of coasteering. Guided sessions for all abilities are available from operators in St Davids and Tenby.
The Cresswell River and the wider Daugleddau Estuary form one of the most ecologically rich habitats in Wales. The garden, the water and the surrounding oak woodland bring wildlife right to the windows of the house.
Plan Your VisitThe coast path explodes with wildflowers: thrift, bluebells and sea campion along every clifftop. Coastal birds return to their breeding grounds and the daylight hours are generous.
Long days, warm water and Pembrokeshire's famous sea mist that rolls in on still evenings. The beaches are glorious and the river estuary is at its most inviting for swimming and paddling.
The oak woodlands of the Daugleddau turn copper and gold. Migrant birds pass through in large numbers and the estuary waders are at their peak. The log burner earns its keep in the evenings.
Winter storms on the headlands are spectacular — raw, powerful and utterly exhilarating. Return to the log burner, the roll-top bath and a glass of something warming. Pembrokeshire in winter is for those who know their own minds.
"We have stayed at a great many holiday cottages over the years, but Cresswell House is in a different category altogether. The level of care that has gone into the furnishings and the garden is remarkable. We watched a kingfisher from the kitchen window on the first morning. We will absolutely return."
"Perfect for our family walking holiday. The boot room was a godsend, the kitchen was better equipped than our one at home, and the log burner on the last evening was the highlight of the trip. The location is quiet in the very best way. Highly recommended without reservation."
"We came for a week and spent two evenings in the pub at the end of the lane and the rest of the time not wanting to leave the house and garden. The river views at dawn are extraordinary. The house itself feels genuinely lived-in and loved, not a showroom. A rare and special place."
We take bookings directly and are happy to discuss dates, requirements and any questions you might have about the house or the area.
The best way to check availability is to get in touch. We will come back to you promptly with dates, rates and any further information you need. There is no booking fee when you reserve with us directly.
Tell us your preferred dates and party size and we will come back to you within 24 hours with availability and rates.
Cresswell Quay is a small hamlet in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, approximately seven miles from Pembroke and fourteen miles from Haverfordwest, which has the nearest main-line rail connection. The house is well signposted from the A4075.
Cresswell House
Cresswell Quay
Pembrokeshire
SA68 0TE
Interactive map
Cresswell Quay, Pembrokeshire SA68 0TE