VISITING PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

A little story from Pembrokeshire, Wales…

Walking through the Pembrokeshire National Park several miles from our hotel, and still only half way to our destination, we could have murdered a beer. Lo and behold, as we rounded the next country lane, in front of us like a parcel of manna from heaven stood a micro-brewery! A gorgeous little farmhouse with a converted barn dedicated to the production of beer! But it was 7 o’clock on a Saturday evening…

“I’m going in!” said a very thirsty husband.

Despite me shouting stuff about farmers with guns, hot on his heels we circled past the barn and were greeted by the owner who invited us to join them on their decking for a promotional video about his new brewery! There stood a dozen Welsh folk, all with a craft ale in their hand and a camera rolling in the background. Bottles were thrust upon us and we quickly became the centre of attention, we were clearly the only strangers here and everyone wanted to know our story. Cut to a couple of hours later after some hearty chat with Pembrokeshire’s finest country folk and several bottles of ale in our bellies, we were offered a lift into Newport for our long-awaited lamb curry!

You see, when you visit Pembrokeshire this kind of scene is commonplace – friendly folk just doing what they’ve done for a few hundred years, impressing the sightseers with their artisan vocations and embracing the foreigners with ruddy smiles.

Everywhere we went a conversation was struck, in that beautiful sing-song accent, and local crafts were explained with a passion that only heritage can bestow. Surfers stop on the narrow lanes to pass on morsels of info about breaks and swells to their fellow T1 drivers.  And little hardware stores and greengrocers service the quaint picturesque villages that dot the countryside.

And whilst this might all sound idyllic, Pembrokeshire is also an area of contrasts. There is absolutely wealth to be seen in the rurals, but other towns can be littered with betting shops and boarded-up store fronts. Overheard conversations reveal that a lot of youngsters flee to Cardiff city for better prospects, and those that remain struggle to eek out a living and are forced to live out their days in tracksuits and baseball caps. But, drive to a neighbouring village or town and you could be dealing with the complete opposite – thriving gift shops and cafe’s that ooze rustic sophistication and entrepreneurs with vision who are already on their way to transforming the face of Pembrokeshire and it’s people.

A Pembrokeshire holiday is something we would wholeheartedly recommend if you’ve never explored this corner of the world – it’s stunningly beautiful in parts and wonderfully rugged in others. The wildlife is teaming and there are plenty of ways to see it. The history is palpable and there are dozens of opportunities to learn about it. And, the adventurous will not run out of activities to partake in. In short, there are loads of places to visit and things to do in Pembrokeshire, no matter the length of your stay.

So let us tell you about the best bits…

The Best Things To Do In Pembrokeshire, Wales

There are plenty of places to visit and things to do during your Pembrokeshire holiday and we have curated a list of our favourites. Days out that represent a bit of the beauty, history and culture in this wonderful part of Wales. But first of all we want to tell you about some of our favourite places to stay too – whether that be for the location or because the accommodation is particularly winning.

WHERE TO STAY IN PEMBROKESHIRE

Whilst we often stay with friends when we visit this area, we do have a couple of good recommendations of where to stay in Pembrokeshire that we’d like to make to you…

PORTCLEW HOUSE is a country mansion-turned-guesthouse a stones throw from some of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire, including one of our favourite – Freshwater West. But when you’re done exploring for the day it’s a delight to retreat back to your bedroom in this Grade II Georgian beauty.

The Aga-cooked breakfasts set you up for the day and the owners are even happy to put you up a picnic if you ask. We particularly loved having our drinks and breakfast on the sun-kissed balcony overlooking some beautiful lawns and gardens, and playing lord and lady of the manor. Plus the room prices have always been extremely reasonable for the times we’ve stayed.

For the best deals at Portclew House, click here.

Alternatively, if you prefer to be in a town with plenty of amenities, Tenby is a lovely little seaside escape with loads of cafe’s, pubs and restaurants. Plus museums, art galleries and the beach. You can’t go wrong with the IMPERIAL HOTEL right on the front with amazing views over the sea and a cocktail bar to sample come evening. It’s a great hotel choice for a cheeky weekend away in Pembrokeshire!

For the best deals at the Imperial Hotel, click here.

And finally, a gorgeous little hotel near Narberth that we’ve been recommending to our friends and family for over 15 years – THE GROVE. A cosy boutique retreat perfectly located for exploring the gastronomic hub of Narberth and its array of unusual shops and local arts and crafts. It’s also a good central hub for exploring both the south coast and its beaches, plus the Preseli Mountains and the north coast villages and towns.

For the best deals at The Grove, click here.

PLACES TO VISIT IN PEMBROKESHIRE

1. Barafundle Bay

Once a well-kept secret by locals this gorgeous sandy beach is well worth the 1/2 mile cliff-top walk from the National Trust car park. Nowadays, being several-time-winner of the accolade ‘Best picnic spot in Britain’, it’s a little more frequented than a hidden sandy alcove, but you’ll still find room for your gingham-ed square of sand! Nowhere in South Wales is that busy and even little Barafundle Bay has room for everyone.

If you’re going to visit one beach on your trip to Pembrokeshire then this is my favourite! It’s caught the attention of many a film location-scout and also kinda got a mention in Macbeth, ok, well the Thane of Cawdor did, the guy who owned the estate when once it was a private beach. Fascinating stuff peeps.

My other top 3 best beaches in Pembrokeshire would be Abercastle, Freshwater West and Castle Beach, Tenby.

2. Pembroke Castle

What a sight to behold! If you were to imagine the perfect Medieval Castle then this would be it. I have channeled my inner-tortured-princess many a time, daydreaming on the walls of this place looking at the views. It’s a stone fortress of History, King Henry VII’s birthplace and many other British historical tit-bits. I just love the way it overshadows the little town of Pembroke with its gigantism and impresses any bystander with it’s Lego-like perfection. The perfect day-trip destination when visiting Pembrokeshire.

3. Tenby

As always, geographical location plays a massive part in the history of a place and Tenby is no exception. Since the 8th century at least, this colourful walled harbour town has had highs and lows. The scars are visible when you look closely but the victories are there too. This was once a busy international port, bringing spices and exotic fruits from far afield whilst the rest of the country remained in ignorant bliss as they tucked into their leek crudites and Welsh rarebit.  

Wales needed Tenby to be great, so great it became and it still remains this way today, in my mind. A worthy place to visit in Pembrokeshire. Spend a day exploring the narrow cobbled streets and open walled-harbour. Visit the Tudor Merchants House for a narrative of Tenby’s old shipping culture, and don’t miss the cutest little bookshop a few doors away – crammed to the rafters and spilling out of the door. Sample the seafood in some of Pembrokeshire’s best restaurants. And, check out the Georgian seafront homes painted from a colour pallet inspired by french macaroons.

And don’t forget about our Tenby hotel recommendation, The Imperial Hotel – even if you do just fancy an evening cocktail overlooking the water.

Other Places To Visit In Pembrokeshire

I have a few more favourite little Pembrokeshire towns and villages worth a mention too – Narberth is a gorgeous little market town with a ton of gift and craft shops and sweet little coffee establishments.

Newport is a picture postcard, particularly the Parrog. The Nevern Estuary flows into the curve and deposits shallow waters, as if it knows that only small boats are more aesthetic to the discerning photographer.

4. Skomer Island

Skomer Island – the highlight of my kids’ trip to Wales this year, my youngest now sleeps with a Puffin every night! An island of wildlife that attracts a lot of attention each year as the different phases of nature put on a varying performance from month to month. Whether it be the spring landing of Puffins, the summer swimming of Dolphins or the birthing of the fluffy grey seal pups in Autumn – there is a natural display of some sort to pull at your heart strings.

Six days a week, from April to September 30th, a 50 seater boat leaves from Martin’s Haven, 12 miles South-west of Haverford West and allows you several hours of joy, watching the wildlife that calls Skomer home. You mustn’t miss this trip, it’s one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire in our families opinion!

5. Take Advantage Of The Pembokeshire Swells

If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a bit of a surfer dude, Pembrokeshire is your playground. With rugged coastlines, rolling Atlantic waves and wide sandy beaches, there are plenty of spots to throw yourself into the surf.

Freshwater West is the most famous, but Newgale and Whitesands are also brilliant places to test your balance and bravery, with surf schools and board hire for those of us who need a little coaching to look cool.

6. Hike The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

Maybe not the whole thing, since in it’s entirety it’s a whopping 186 miles! But picking a section of the Coastal Path to hike is definitely one of our favourite things to do in Pembrokeshire.

Jaw-dropping cliff edges, secret coves and sea-sprayed air are just some of the draws of a coastal ramble and we’ve spent many a happy afternoon pottering along a stretch or two. St Davids to Solva is perhaps our favourite hike – full of hidden beaches and ice-cream stops, and the rugged beauty around Stackpole never fails to impress.

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path lets you drink in some of the most stunning views Wales has to offer, one step at a time.

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So there you have it, what to do in Pembrokeshire to make the most of your holiday. It’s a great spot for surfers and families alike; there are opportunities galore for hikers, art lovers, thrill seekers, history buffs and chillaxers. If you’ve never been to Pembrokeshire in Wales, then it’s about time you did!

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