Green Bridge of Wales Landscape Photography

In this post, I’m taking you along with me on another unforgettable landscape photography trip, this time to the Green Bridge of Wales, one of the UK’s most dramatic and awe-inspiring coastal rock formations. If you’ve seen my latest YouTube video, Photographing Green Bridge of Wales – Landscape Photography, then you already know how excited I was to finally tick this spot off my photography bucket list.

But if you haven’t watched it yet, don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about visiting, photographing, and absolutely falling in love with this incredible location in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

In this video, I set out to capture the beauty of the Green Bridge of Wales, both during the day and at night.

What Is the Green Bridge of Wales?

The Green Bridge of Wales is a massive natural sea arch located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, one of the most breathtaking coastal areas in the UK. This natural limestone arch has been sculpted over thousands of years by the fierce winds and crashing waves of the Irish Sea.

What makes the Green Bridge truly special is its size and shape, the arch itself rises around 24 metres (about 80 feet) high, with a span of over 20 metres. It’s often referred to as the UK’s answer to the rock formations you’d find along the Great Ocean Road in Australia or the coast of Northern Ireland. And yes, it really is that impressive.

You’ll often hear people call it the most iconic natural arch in Wales, and I can see why. Standing in front of it with a camera in hand, it’s hard not to be completely blown away by its scale and beauty. It looks stunning from every angle, and the light around here? Wow. Just wait until you see what it does at golden hour.

Where Is the Green Bridge of Wales?

You’ll find this gem tucked away along the southern coast of Pembrokeshire, within the boundaries of the Castlemartin military range. It’s near the village of Bosherston, and not far from other popular coastal spots like Barafundle Bay, Stack Rocks, and Elegug Stacks (those are worth a visit too, by the way!).

The Google map location is HERE, though be aware that mobile signal can be a bit patchy out this way. I’d recommend downloading the route offline or using a good old-fashioned map just in case.

How to Get There (And What You Need to Know)

Getting to the Green Bridge of Wales is relatively straightforward, but there are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. Access is through MOD land – The Green Bridge is located within a Ministry of Defence training area (Castlemartin Range), so access is only allowed when the range is not active. Check the Pembrokeshire National Park website or local MOD schedule for opening times. They do post public access dates online — always best to double-check before making the trip.

2. Parking – There’s a small car park just a short walk from the viewpoint. It’s free, but there are no toilets or facilities, so come prepared.
   GOOGLE MAPS

3. The Walk – From the car park, it’s just a few hundred metres to the viewpoint. It’s an easy, flat walk, suitable for most fitness levels. Keep to the path though, the cliffs here are very exposed.

Why Photograph the Green Bridge of Wales?

Now onto the good stuff, why this place is a dream for landscape photographers.

First off, it’s the composition potential. You’ve got this massive natural arch framed by jagged cliffs, swirling sea, and dramatic skies. On a moody day, it looks wild and cinematic. On a sunny day, it glows. At golden hour? Pure magic.

There’s plenty of foreground interest too, grassy cliff edges, rock textures, and crashing waves that make for dynamic leading lines. I found myself moving around a lot, experimenting with wide-angle lenses, filters, and even a bit of telephoto action to compress the scene and isolate details.

If you’re into long exposures, this is a dream spot. ND filters work wonders here, especially if the sea is choppy. You’ll get those beautiful misty water effects beneath the arch, adding to that surreal, timeless feel.

My Gear for the Shoot:

In the video, I used my usual trusty setup — wide-angle lens, tripod, ND grads, and circular polariser. A drone would be amazing here too, but again, check flight permissions in the area. It’s military land, so best to err on the side of caution.
DO NOT FLY DURING NESTING SEASON, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

Best Time to Visit

For photography, I recommend visiting either early morning or late afternoon into sunset. The light sweeps across the coastline beautifully from both directions, casting lovely shadows and really giving the arch some depth.

Avoid midday if you can — the light can be harsh, and the drama of the scene gets flattened.

Moonlight Photography at the Green Bridge

While sunrise and sunset are widely regarded as the best times to photograph the Green Bridge of Wales, don’t underestimate the atmospheric beauty of shooting under moonlight. The dramatic rock formations take on an entirely different mood when illuminated by the moon; perfect for long exposures and more creative compositions.

⚠️ Important Safety Note: This is a dangerous location even during daylight hours, with sheer cliff drops, slippery paths, and unpredictable coastal weather. If you’re planning to shoot here in the dark, take extreme caution. Go with a friend, bring a headtorch, wear suitable footwear, and make sure someone knows where you are.

Whilst sunrise and sunset times and generally considered the best time to photograph the Green Bridge, don’t cast asside photographing the area under moonlight. It’s a dangerous place to visit during daylight hours so you must bare this in mind before visiting when it’s dark!

The above moon image was captured during the making of the film

Final Thoughts

Photographing the Green Bridge of Wales was everything I’d hoped for and more. It’s one of those locations that reminds you why you fell in love with landscape photography in the first place. Wild, raw, and absolutely breathtaking.

Whether you’re a pro with a full kit or just starting out with a phone camera, this is a place that rewards creativity and patience. It’s one of the most incredible photo spots in Wales, maybe even the UK.

If you haven’t watched the video yet, make sure to check it out on my channel: Photographing Green Bridge of Wales – Landscape Photography. I walk through my thought process, camera settings, and a bit of behind-the-scenes fun too.

Thanks for reading, and as always, happy shooting!

Gary Gough
Professional Photographer | West Yorkshire
www.garygoughphotography.co.uk

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