Freshwater West beach, where Dobby's 'grave' sits, has become so popular that concerns have been raised about whether it is 'sustainable in the long term', without negatively impacting the area. The fictional elf’s grave has grown over the years as it attracts thousands of visitors some of whom leave tributes like painted stones, socks, tea towels, flowers, dolls, gnomes, and laminated messages.
Fans of the Harry Potter series will know that it is on the beach where the brave house-elf Dobby was buried, and people flock to the National Trust beach year on year to visit the fictional elf's resting place. Dobby was a key character in the Harry Potter films in the struggle against he-who-must-not-be-named and died at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange after rescuing Harry and friends from Malfoy Manor in the Deathly Hallows film.
In the decade since the film was released, the site of Dobby's resting place has become an attraction in its own right with thousands of visiting each year. However, concerns have been raised by locals - and national trust members - that the increased population on the beach is negatively impacting the environment. Read more: Harry Potter: What Dobby's grave at Freshwater West looks like today
So much so that some people have described the fictional characters' final resting place as looking like a "landfill site" a "total eyesore" and a "complete mess". Some people have suggested the grave needs to be fenced off to protect the sand dunes from eroding under increased footfall.
Now, a public consultation about the future of Freshwater West has been completed, partly in response to pressures created by Dobby’s grave. The survey asked locals and visitors for their views on how Freshwater West should be managed in the long term. The consultation, which was funded by the UK Government, was commissioned by the National Trust who own most of Freshwater Beach.
The consultation reads: "Freshwater West is much loved and over time has become increasingly popular. Access to nature and the outdoors for all is vitally important but the increase in visitors has added pressure on the environment and facilities. This does not feel sustainable in the long term, without negatively impacting this special place.
"Those who care for it, enjoy it and live locally want only the best for Freshwater West. To help understand the issues and consider what options there are for the future a public consultation has begun."
However, the consultation, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of the shrine have sparked a fierce debate about its future. What initially started as people leaving rocks adorned in memory to the fictional character,. has now evolved to items of clothing and messages, raising concerns that these could blow onto - and litter - the beach.
One local beach cleaner who wanted to remain anonymous said that they thought the main issue arose from its increased popularity and the typed of items left. They said: “I think the grave itself is okay (even if it’s in the wrong place) but not all the socks and laminated notes that the Harry Potter fans litter it with. People don’t realise the socks are mostly made from plastic fibres that can pollute the environment.
“Any plastic left there is obviously littering and even taking pebbles from the beach and putting them in the dunes is not a great idea as they are part of the beach’s natural sea defence. At least they are natural and not manmade though.”
However, several people have also defended the 'grave'. John Hodge, from Milford Haven, built a wooden cross for the site in 2020 after his granddaughter asked him to. Sadly the grave was stolen a few months later but John’s granddaughter still talks about it.
He said: “The debate should be about the happiness Dobby’s grave brings to so many children like my granddaughter. With all that is going on in the world a bit of make-believe is welcome. It’s a pity the council wouldn’t put up a grave marker for children to see. “If people complain about the untidiness why not organise a ‘Dobby grave tidy’.”
The future of the site has also caused a stir online. Commenting on a photo of the 'grave' in a Facebook group called 'Pembrokeshire - I love it', one user said: “Enough is enough this has become an absolute eyesore and it’s time it was cleared away,” while another said: “Just take the kids to a landfill site, it looks the same.”
But others defended sandy memorial and asked: “Why are some people so damn miserable. People come from all over to see this and the children love it.”
Another person called those complaining ‘utter killjoys’ and added: “At least two of those painted stones are from my young children who believe in the magic and beauty of this spot.. It is a bit of magic for the kids. Everyone’s getting their knickers in a twist over a couple of rocks.”
A spokesperson from National Trust Cymru, Pembrokeshire said: “The two main objectives of the consultation are to engage with the public, local businesses and voluntary, public and private sector business affected by growing visitor numbers and deliver a feasibility study and options appraisal for the car park and related facilities at Freshwater West.
“Dobby’s Grave, its ongoing creation, definition, and impact on the landscape is a topic for discussion as part of that consultation process.
“Once the consultation process has ended in August a presentation of findings and recommendations will be delivered publicly and to key stakeholders. This will help create a vision for a sustainable future for Freshwater West and guide us in any future decisions we make for this exceptional place.”
The National Trust’s survey outlined several potential changes to Freshwater West, which included introducing parking charges, expanding the car park, and creating a picnic area, network of walking trails and a cycling trail.
The beach currently has two free car parks which are overrun in the summer. The survey asked, ‘would you still visit Freshwater West if parking charges were introduced? Freshwater West is one of the most popular coastal sites in Pembrokeshire and a protected conservation area. It is home to a host of wildlife and plant life, including lizards, orchids and rare ground-nesting birds.
National Trust Cymru continued: “Over the past few years we have seen an increase in visitors wanting to experience all that Freshwater West has to offer. It is much loved for its beautiful beach, good surf and lifeguard service, and its use as a Hollywood filming location. This growth in visitor numbers to the site continues to put pressure on the facilities and infrastructure.
“As a conservation charity, our priority is to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable and safe experience, whilst also safeguarding this special landscape so it can be enjoyed for generations to come. To help understand the issues and consider what options there are for the future a public consultation has begun.”
