Milford Haven (From Western Telegraph)

Milford Haven

Milford Haven's waterway, is a drowned valley which Nelson described as the finest harbour in the world with the possible exception of Trincomalee.

Milford Haven, the town (the biggest in the county), is a relatively new development, having been built a little over two centuries ago.

Landowner, Sir William Hamilton, husband of Nelson's notorious inamorata Emma, obtained an Act of Parliament in 1790 which enabled him, his heirs and assigns to build the town. He assigned his nephew Charles Francis Greville, second son of the Earl of Warwick, to plan the town and this was done on the gridiron pattern, with intersecting streets served by back lanes, as the whaler families moved in to establish Milford's first oil industry - whale oil.

Earlier this century Milford Haven became one of the country's largest fishing ports, renowned for its hake, but by the late 1950s it was well in decline when the second oil age dawned and refineries sprang up around the shorts of the waterway. Now, they too are in decline, Esso having shut down after 20 years and Gulf pulling out after 30 years.

This has set the town's sights on tourism, resulting in Milford becoming an entertaining and attractive place to visit, with first-class entertainment and leisure facilities on offer.

The docks have been refurbished, and a new 150-berth Marina has been built. The marina's facilities include play areas and ten pin bowling for kids, and a wealth of places to eat for the grown-ups.

The town boasts a museum in the Old Custom House, the fine Torch Theatre, and Meads sport and leisure centre.

An extra bonus is the nearby Welsh Marine Life Rescue and Seal Hospital, where you can see rescued seals and learn about animal welfare and conservation from the team of dedicated volunteers.