Ramsey Island

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Address
RSPB Ramsey Island, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. SA62 6PY
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SM706237
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See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

This dramatic offshore island has cliffs that rise up to 120 metres, making them the perfect place for breeding seabirds, flocks of choughs and peregrines. Take a walk along the coastal heathland and enjoy the wildlife, taking in the spectacular views across the Irish Sea.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Car park and trails open.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
£10
Children
£5
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s
Other discounts

  • Boat fees apply for all: Return boat crossing for adults £15, children £7.50

Facilities

  • Visitor centre is closed
  • Car park
  • Toilets are closed
  • Refreshments facilities are closed
  • Picnic area
  • Binocular hire is closed
  • Guided walks is closed
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop is closed

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Haverfordwest.

By bus

The No. 411 bus service runs between Haverfordwest and St Davids about every hour. From St Davids a shuttle bus runs to St Justinians every hour (April - September).

Additional boat buses operate from St Davids to St Justinian’s during busy periods. Thousand Islands Expeditions can book a seat for you.

By bike

National Route 4: The Celtic Trail.

By road

Nearest town: St Davids. From the centre of the village (Cross Square) take a left onto Goat Street. Take a right onto Pitt Street, then left onto Feidr Treginnis and follow signs for St Justinians (1.5 miles/2.5 km).

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Boats cross (weather permitting) from the 1 April or Easter (whichever is earlier) to 30 September, Sunday to Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday).

Depart from the Lifeboat Station at St Justinians at 10am and 12pm, returning at 4pm. In 2021 numbers will be limited to 12 passengers per boat to maintain social distancing, therefore pre-booking is essential.

Book your boat ticket through Thousand Island Expeditions at Cross Square, St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6SL. Tel: 01437 721721.

Email: info@thousandislands.co.uk

Get directions from Google Maps
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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group booking information

We welcome group visits, but as we are just a small team, please contact us in advance so that we can accommodate you and your interests.

Schools booking information

We welcome visits by accompanied school groups. Please contact us in advance so that we ensure you get the most from your visit.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 570Kb

Ramsey Island map

Contact Ramsey Island

What will you see?

Our star species

Nature spectacles

During the summer families of chough gather to feed on the sheep-grazed grassland. Their distinctive calls pierce the air as newly fledged youngsters beg and learn to fend for themselves.

From mid-August onwards Atlantic Grey seals return to the safety of Ramsey's beaches to give birth and mate. Ramsey is the largest single pupping site in the south-west and it is not unusual to see more than 60 seal pups on one beach alone by the middle of September. With females coming in and out to feed their hungry pups and male seals fighting to hold territory, there is plenty of interesting behaviour to watch from the cliff-tops and you might even see a pup being born.

Seasonal highlights

The island's coastline is alive with breeding birds. Peregrine falcons, choughs, ravens and seabirds nest on the 100-metre high cliffs. Wheatears and little owls nest in the stonewalls and forage for insect prey in the maritime grass, grazed by the island's flock of Welsh mountain sheep.

Families of chough feed in large flocks on the short grassland and the heather comes into bloom, filling the air with the heady scent of honey and attracting bees and butterflies.

Atlantic Grey seals arrive from across the Irish Sea to Ramsey where they give birth, with every beach, cove and cave occupied by nursing mothers and their white-coated pups.

In winter the island is closed due to sea conditions. Boats stop running a daily service at the end of October and recommence at Easter or at the beginning of April, which ever comes first.

About Ramsey Island

Habitat

Ramsey Island is a reserve which encompasses heathland, cliffs, coast and ocean habitats.

Conservation

Ramsey is a Special Protection Area for chough and keeping the grassland short and grazed enables these birds to probe for their invertebrate food. We manage a flock of between 100 and 200 welsh mountain sheep for this reason, with all the shepherding duties, including lambing carried out in-house by our resident wardens and the island's very own sheepdog.

The small shallow pools in Ramsey's heathland are home to several nationally or internationally important plant species. It is essential to keep the ponds open and the edges poached and this is the job of our Welsh Mountain Ponies.

In 1999/2000 Ramsey was cleared of the brown rats that had decimated the island's bird populations for 100 years. We maintain the highest standards of bio-security in order to ensure rats and mice, which have disastrous impacts on seabird colonies, are never re-introduced to the island.

Visit the Biosecurity for Life webpage for more information.

Site information

Ramsey Island is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK, and is recognised as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Natura 2000 site.

Ramsey Island is now free of rats and mice, which means that ground and burrow-nesting birds can breed safely. 

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What people are saying about Ramsey Island

Excellent trail and beautiful views. Wheatears in abundance and treated to a flock of choughs. Want to go back in spring for the seabirds.

Andrew Kent

We had a superb day, the staff on the island were v friendly to us. Tho it was misty in places, we got excellent views of the peregrines on the cliff. A very tranquil time.

Louise Warrington

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Ramsey bingo sheets are available for all ages on arrival and children's backpacks and binoculars are available to hire.

Leisure activities

Ramsey is a quiet escape from the everyday world. With numbers limited each day the island offers the solitude that many people crave and is much loved by walkers and nature-watchers alike. With two walking trails you can choose from a gentle stroll to a more challenging ramble up and over the island's hills. The reserve team offer a friendly welcome and are available to offer advice and answer questions, we can even make you a cup of tea.

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