River Gwaun

The River Gwaun is a small river in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It flows west from the Preseli Hills to the sea at Fishguard. The river begins near Pontfaen hamlet and winds through wet woodland, marshes and water meadows. Its valley is deep and quiet, passing through Pontfaen and Llanychaer before reaching the bay. The Gwaun is a slowly moving stream with alder trees along its banks. The river is worth visiting for its wild, unspoilt landscape. It is only 14 kilometres long but has a rich natural setting shaped by ancient ice ages. Canoeists can paddle the lower third of the river, starting west of Pontfaen. The Gwaun appears on a 16th-century map, showing its long history in the area. Its name means ‘marsh’ or ‘moor’, describing the land it flows through. A visitor finds a peaceful river valley with wet woodlands and open meadows. The deep, secluded Gwaun Valley offers quiet walks and views of the surrounding hills. Pontfaen and Llanychaer are small hamlets along its route. The river meets the sea at Lower Fishguard Bay, where the land is still marshy. The slow, winding course of the Gwaun makes it a gentle place to explore.