Last Friday we went blackberry picking for our “half day Friday” activity (for the last few years our local schools have closed at lunchtime on Fridays). We couldn’t go far as we had to be back in time for football practice but there are plenty of local places to pick blackberries, and we decided to take a walk from Milford Marina towards Scotch Bay.
Visiting Milford Marina
Milford Marina is very interesting to explore. You can watch boats, and there are also lovely shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to visit. There are a couple of walks from Milford Marina too. We walked part of the Scotch Bay Stroll (visit this link for a longer, circular route).
Where is Milford Waterfront?
To travel by car to Milford Waterfront (Sat Nav postcode: SA73 3BN) from Haverfordwest, take the A4076 to Milford Haven. Continue along Steynton Road and Great North Road. Then, follow the road around to the right near St Katharine’s Church and continue downhill along Hamilton Terrace and Victoria Hill. Take the first entrance (signposted) on the left at the bottom of Victoria Road. Alternatively, Milford Waterfront is a short walk from Milford Haven train station.
Parking at Milford Waterfront
The closest free car parks to this walk are the main car park on Mackerel Quay and the small car park on the hill behind The Harbourmaster
Scotch Bay Stroll
This walk is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and dog walkers. It’s part of the Milford Waterfront Park Run route.
The first thing we noticed as we joined the path was the bushes had all been recently cut back. We worried we’d made the wrong choice and should have chosen a different route for blackberry picking. No worries as we would enjoy the walk anyway.
But thankfully, there were still some blackberries to be found. There’s something very satisfying about spotting a good blackberry and plucking it off the stem and watching the collection vessel fill up. When I was younger I used to love popping them straight in my mouth as I walked. I know people still do but nowadays I have to wash and soak the bugs off first!
Routes like this which are away from traffic fumes are a good place to pick blackberries. Leave the lower blackberries which dogs may have sprayed on. Look out for spiders and spider webs too- it’s almost like the spiders try to protect the blackberries from us picking them. They are handy as the help eat the bugs, of course.
Now we’re in late September, we’re getting near the end of blackberry season but there are still lots growing and ripening so it’s not too late if you’re planning to go.
We spotted a pretty heart-string trail, like a natural decoration for the ugly fence.
“The cousins” enjoyed a good walk and talk.
Izzy enjoyed climbing up looking for the best blackberries. We did wish we were a bit taller as we missed out on some good blackberry bounties we couldn’t reach!
The blackberry pickers. As we were short on time, we had to time ourselves and walk so far and then walk back. The circular walk is linked above. We do like going to Scotch Bay when we have more time.
Near the end of the walk, I looked up and spotted this gorgeous robin. I love the little “perch” he’s on.
We had a little chat to him and he sang back to us.
We turned and walked back, picking a few more blackberries if we spotted them but still leaving lots of good ones for the next foragers to pick too- there’s always plenty for everyone.
It was a short but sweet walk, we had lots of fun, just wished we had more time. Off we went then- us to football practice and Nanny went home to make blackberry crumble – yum!
Have you been blackberry picking this year? Are you planning to?
Read/Watch More:
I found this old video of when we went blackberry picking in the same spot years ago:
Blackberry Picking and Blackberry Crumble at Milford Marina, 2017
Blackberry Picking and Making Blackberry Crumble at Westfield Pill Nature Reserve, Neyland Marina
