There is evidence of a long history dating from the Iron Age Fort on the east cliff to the 20th century complexes to the west of the coast road. There are about 240 residents but the population swells considerably at the height of the summer season. The stream, the Lliw, which runs into the west of the beach, gives its name to the early settlement of Portclew (from the Welsh, Porthlliw, meaning, mouth of the Lliw). The settlement with its 17 or so husbandmen provided service to the Bishop of Lamphey Palace and is mentioned in the 12th century Black Book of St. David’s.
The ruined chapel near Little Portclew is of great interest as is the nearby well and the recent discovery of a grave dating from the 7th and 10th century and worthy of further research. Part of the Portclew settlement, i.e. Upper Portclew and Lower Portclew , now the Portclew Guest House , is designated as a conservation area as will be the Burrows, waste of the old Manor of Lamphey. With the growth of Pembroke Dock as a Naval Dockyard in the 19th century, Freshwater East became a popular recreation area. The Burrows and beach provided a welcome retreat during World War 2. The designation of the Pembrokeshire National Park in 1952 stopped the plot development which had occurred over the Burrows between the Wars. The Freshwater East Society was formed in 1961 in order to protect the Burrows from any further development and to conserve the wildlife, the landscape beauty and the cultural heritage of the area, in particular the natural open area of the Burrows.
In 2001, the National Parks Authority purchased much of the land at Freshwater East, including the extensive wetlands and the Burrows. A management committee of interested National and Local groups, chaired by the National Parks, is now maintaining the area as a model of National Park principles of conservation and public enjoyment.
