Situated on a National Trust property, this site comprises an area of mature woodland and an old manor house, at the confluence of the Red Water stream with the Western Cleddau. The river is truly estuarine at this point with large daily fluctuations in salinity.
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Little Milford was recorded as a small settlement since the beginning of the 17th century, lying at the head of a small creek. It developed as an informal shipping-place, like many other Cleddau settlements. By 1839 a tramway led down from Freystrop to the quays, and an incline from Maddox Moor to Little Milford had been established by 1851. However, the decline in the coal mining industry in the early 20th century followed by the closure of the Pembrokeshire collieries in 1947 forced Little Milford to revert to a minor shipping/landing place.
Location
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Features of Interest
The location is in the centre of the truly estuarine section of the river. The substrate is muddy and fluvial in origin. There are extensive tidally exposed mudflats and saltmarsh areas in various stages of building or erosion. Its major ecological significance is as an area where is difficult to live but one which is highly productive, supporting large numbers of organisms that provide food for an assortment of birds and mammals. Although not often seen, wild otters are known to be present on the river and signs of these playful creatures can sometimes be spotted on banks and mud flats around the estuary.
Access
The site is accessible by minor road, from the Haverfordwest-Burton road. The road becomes single track as Little Milford is approached. Access to the waterside is by muddy track which fords the Red Water stream then skirts the woodland around onto a small saltmarsh. This access is usable only by relatively fit people wearing boots.