Milford Haven

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Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It sits on the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour that has been used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town is the most populous in the county, with about 13,900 people living in the area (the 2011 census data).

What Milford Haven is like
- Location and geography: The Waterway is a large, sheltered inlet known as a ria. The town enjoys a mild climate, with wetter winters and relatively sunny summers. The harbour and docks have shaped the town’s economy and landscape for centuries.
- Language and culture: The area is part of the “Little England Beyond Wales” historic zone, where English has long been dominant. Welsh speakers are a smaller share of the population today, especially in Milford Haven town center. The town has its own cultural venues and museums, including the Torch Theatre and Milford Haven Museum in the old Custom House.

A short history
- Early origins: Milford Haven began to take shape in the late 18th century. The town was laid out in a grid pattern and grew around the natural harbour used for journeys to Ireland and for shelter by Vikings.
- Naval and industrial era: In the early 1800s, Milford Haven became a Royal Navy dockyard for a time, before the yard moved to Pembroke Dock in 1814. The town then developed as a commercial dock and later expanded as oil and gas industries grew.
- Modern economy: From the 1960s, Esso and other oil companies developed refineries and storage facilities here. The port became a major energy hub, handling large amounts of oil and LNG. The Sea Empress oil spill in 1996 drew international attention. Since the 2000s, plans have focused on turning the docks area into a broader maritime and urban development zone, including the Milford Waterway branding and waterfront regeneration.

Economy today
- Port and industry: Milford Haven’s port is a major business, handling large volumes of shipping and acting as a key energy centre with oil and LNG facilities. In recent years, the area has seen investment in storage, distribution, and related services.
- Regeneration and tourism: The waterside area has been developed to attract visitors and new business. The marina provides berths for boats, leisure facilities, and access to the town’s museum and shops. Cruise ship visits and other tourism activities have grown.
- Other economy: Fishing has historically been important. The town also grew as a railway hub and a centre for shipbuilding and boating activities in the past.

Governance
- Milford Haven has its own town council (Milford Haven Town Council) and is part of Pembrokeshire County Council. The council administers local services and community affairs for the town and surrounding wards.

Transport and accessibility
- Rail: Milford Haven is the terminus of the West Wales Line. Regular trains connect to Manchester via Carmarthen, Swansea, and Cardiff. Transport services are operated by Transport for Wales Rail.
- Road and bus: The main road link is the A4076, with connections to nearby towns and the A40 at Haverfordwest. Local and regional bus services operate in the area.
- Port and ships: The port and marina are important for goods, energy traffic, and leisure craft, with ongoing plans to expand and improve facilities.

Education
- Schools: Milford Haven has several primary schools and Milford Haven School, a large secondary school with a sixth form. Pembrokeshire College runs marine-related programs at the nearby Milford Docks site (MITEC).

Culture and landmarks
- The Rath: A historic, elevated street with views over the Haven, once used as a gun battery and later hosting a swimming pool and water gardens.
- Fort Hubberstone and other historic sites: Fort Hubberstone and Scoveston Fort are notable, with the fort area offering insights into the area’s military history.
- Museums and theater: Milford Haven Museum focuses on maritime history; the Torch Theatre is a notable local venue for drama and music.

Twin towns
- Milford Haven is twinned with Romilly-sur-Seine in France and Uman in Ukraine, reflecting cultural links beyond Wales.

Notable connections
- The town’s waterway links have shaped its history as a whaling and fishing center, a Royal Navy dockyard, and a modern energy hub. It remains a place where industry and waterfront life meet, with ongoing plans to mix living, business, and leisure on the Milford Waterway.