If you’re wondering whether Pembrokeshire is worth visiting then the answer is one hundred percent yes! There are so many amazing things to do in Pembrokeshire from exploring picturesque seaside towns to Britain’s smallest city. There’s an abundance of wildlife, a rich history to explore including magnificent castles, and spectacular scenery fringed with stunning sandy beaches.
Pembrokeshire is the UK’s only coastal National Park and is an outdoor lovers paradise. There’s miles of rugged coastline to explore in this remote part of the UK as well as a wide variety of outdoor activities on offer. There is plenty to see and do for all ages.
If you’re planning to visit Pembrokeshire, this useful guide will give you all the best information, so that you can get the most out of your trip. Here is our top ten things to do in Pembrokeshire that the whole family will enjoy.
The Best Things To Do In Pembrokeshire
Visit St David’s, Britain’s Smallest City,
St David’s is the UK’s smallest city but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in character.
The city is famous for its 12th Century Cathedral and is the resting place of St David, the Patron Saint of Wales. St David founded a monastery here in the 6th Century.
You’ll discover the Cathedral in a valley just below the city beside the Gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace and the River Alun.
Inside St David’s Cathedral you’ll find an ornate interior, painted wooden ceilings, the library, stained glass windows and the treasury museum. You’ll also notice the sloping floor inside the cathedral which has about 4 metres difference in height between each end.
Stroll back up to the High Street past the Tower Gate House and Bell Tower, and explore St David’s interesting shops. We recommend stopping off at Pebbles Gallery and Espresso Bar where you can sit in the courtyard and enjoy a cream tea. Other options include the Cross Hotel which also has tables outside, or for something a bit stronger, The Bishops or Farmer’s Arms.
Plan your visit to coincide with St David’s outdoor market in Cross Square, every Thursday between March and October (weather permitting). You’ll discover stalls selling local produce and crafts including artisan food, drink, crafts, gifts and plants.
It’s perfect for a stop-off while exploring Pembrokeshire. We recommend combining a trip to St David’s with the Blue Lagoon which are only six miles apart.
Explore Tenby
Tenby is a seaside town famous for its 13th Century medieval town walls, castle ruins, Victorian pastel-coloured houses, beautiful beaches and seaside charm.
Explore the maze of narrow streets, with plenty of independent shops and interesting eateries.
The medieval town walls are one of the most important surviving medieval town walls in Britain. Make sure you walk through the semi-circular Five Arches Gate on St George’s Street which is the last remaining gate.
Tenby Castle was built by The Normans in the 12th century. Now in ruins, only the remains of a small tower sits on the headland above a picturesque sandy cove. As you walk up Castle Hill from the harbour, you’ll see the remains of the castle’s gateway cross the path. Tenby Museum & Art Gallery is now built on the remains of the castle’s domestic building, which is thought to be the great hall. This is the oldest independent museum in Wales with some lovely exhibits where you’ll learn all about the local history of this seaside town.
Enjoy some time at one of Tenby’s four gorgeous beaches: North and South Beach, Castle Beach and Harbour Beach. All are within an easy walk of the town and the ideal place for families to spend the day, so don’t forget your bucket and spade!
Take the opportunity to explore Caldey Island by taking a boat trip from the harbour. This small island has been inhabited since the Stone Age and you’ll discover a monastery, small museum, tea garden cafe, lighthouse and the white sandy beach of Priory Bay. In the village are shops where you can buy the perfumes, shortbread and chocolate made on the island.
From Tenby harbour you’ll be able to book dolphin spotting trips, seal safaris and mackerel fishing trips.
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot is a small seaside resort in Pembrokeshire which is popular with families for its long sandy beach and shallow water. The shallow bay is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming, and there are lifeguards during the summer months.
Next to the beach is a small harbour with some shops along the front. Ocean Square is home to a few independent shops housed in wooden cabins selling gelato, pasty and pies, clothing, jewellery and the chock shop selling the most delicious brownies.
Saundersfoot has a reputation of being a great place for eating out with good quality restaurants and cafes in the village.
Visit Saundersfoot Welcome and Heritage Centre at the harbour to learn about the coal mining history of Saundersfoot. Explore their mine shaft for a feel at life down the mine in the day. Plus, you will discover the role that Saundersfoot played in the preparations for the D-Day landings.
You can also visit the life size replica of a Coastal Schooner on the Events Deck and discover information on navigation and maritime history with tales of the high seas and pirates!
In the middle of the National Events Deck, you’ll discover the Crabbing Centre which is also wheelchair accessible. The kids will enjoy this free event which is open between May-September each year and learn a bit about wildlife.
If you’re feeling a bit more energetic, have a walk along the historic tramway that connects Saundersfoot with Coppet Hall Beach and Wisemans Bridge. This part of the Pembrokeshire coastpath is a nice flat route suitable for buggies, wheelchairs and bikes. Kids will love walking through the atmospheric old tunnels, and there are plenty of places to stop along the way to play on the beach, enjoy the view or get an ice cream.
Freshwater West Beach
Freshwater West Beach is a must-visit place if you’re a Harry Potter fan. This beach was the location of Shell Cottage and appears in scenes from the Deathly Hallows part 1 and 2. It’s where Dobby the house elf died and was buried.
Amongst the sand dunes you’ll find a pile of pebbles that fans have left with written messages to Dobbie and where you can leave your own tribute.
Note: you won’t find Shell Cottage because it was dismantled after filming.
Freshwater West Beach is a stunning spot with a long sandy beach and rocky cliffs to the far north and south with rockpools and caves to explore. This beach is one of the top surfing locations in Wales. In fact, Freshwater West is the annual venue for the Welsh National Surfing Championships due to the consistently strong waves in the bay. This year the surf championships are on 14th – 15th September 2024.
Freshwater West beach is dog-friendly all year round.
Parking is free and you’ll find the award-winning Cafe Môr beach food shack, a short drive away in Angle, from spring to autumn.
Pembroke Castle
The pretty market town of Pembroke dates back over 900 years and is famous for its Norman Castle. Pembroke castle sits on a hill overlooking the town with a pretty millpond surrounding it.
If you love castles, Pembroke is the ideal location because it has one of the best castles in Britain. Originally built with timber in the 11th Century, Pembroke Castle is one of the most complete Norman castles in the UK. Explore a maze of passages, tunnels, stairways, and towers. Climb to the top of the Great keep for the best view in Pembroke and climb down into Wogan Cavern, a naturally formed cave under the castle. They also run extra entertainment activities during school holidays such as Siege days, Living History days and the popular Knight School.
The Castle in Pembroke is famous for being the birthplace of Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty and father of Henry VIII.
Explore Pembroke using the Pembroke Town Trail where you can follow the 30 bronze plaques which are installed in the pavements along the route and learn about the local history. Either download the interactive map on the website or buy a paper trail map from the information office and Town Hall. You can also follow the Trail digitally by scanning plaques with QR codes around the town. The walk takes you alongside the castle, millponds (once the castle moat) and along the High Street.
The Town Hall is where the trail starts and is also the home of the town’s museum. Once the old Courtroom, it now houses Pembroke Museum which tells the story of the town.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a must for any Pembrokeshire itinerary especially if you love a wild and rugged coast, breathtaking scenery and exploring the countryside.
There are so many highlights along its 186 mile route, including:
- Over 50 beaches
- Over 40 Iron Age promontory forts
- Norman/ Medieval castles/ towns (notably Tenby, Manorbier and Pembroke)
- Chain of Napoleonic and later forts
- Scores of lime kilns and other industrial archaeological remains
- Series of picturesque ports (eg. Tenby, Solva, Porthgain)
- Innumerable secret coves
- Bosherston Lily Ponds
- Birds and wild flowers
There are walks for everyone, you can do small sections or, make a holiday of it.
We suggest combining a walk along the coast with a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Or, a walk from St Govan’s Head along the coastal path to the Stack Rocks and Green Bridge of Wales. These incredible natural rock formations have been carved out of the limestone cliffs by the force of the ocean and powerful wave action over thousands of years. This is a lovely, mainly flat walk of under 1.5 miles.
Discover The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon, in Abereiddi on the west coast of Wales, is a must-see location on your next trip to Pembrokeshire.
Now owned by the National Trust, it’s formerly a slate quarry which was active up until 1910. The Blue Lagoon was formed when the channel connecting the quarry to the sea was blasted, allowing the sea to flood in. The gorgeous colour of the water comes from the slate, giving its aqua blue colour.
If you want to experience this beautiful stretch of coastline from in or on the water why not try a coasteering tour or, bring your kayak or paddle board. It’s the perfect location for adventure enthusiasts and only a short walk from the (paid) car park on Abereiddi beach.
There were people tombstoning into the Blue Lagoon while we were visiting which looked great fun. This is done entirely at your own risk though and you should be aware that the water is very cold. Always wear a wetsuit, even in the summer months, and always acclimatise to the water temperature before leaping in. Other things to be aware of is the height of drop will obviously be more when the tide is out and there are ledges at different heights. There are no lifeguards nearby and you should never swim alone.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, bring a picnic and enjoy the views over the lagoon. You can also follow the signs for the coast path and walk along the top of the cliffs. The wild flowers and spectacular views from the top are stunning – just beware of the cliff edge especially when walking with children and dogs.
Walk from the Blue Lagoon
A short walk (0.6 miles) will take you to Traeth Llyfn Beach which is a beautiful sandy beach with rock pools. Only accessible from the coast path, down some steep steps, you’ll probably have this secluded, dog-friendly beach to yourselves. You can swim here, just be careful of the strong rip currents.
Please note, the Blue Lagoon will close to protect breeding seals between Saturday 21st September and Saturday 2nd November 2024.
St Govan’s Chapel
St Govan’s Chapel is a little stone hideaway built into the rocky cliff at St Govan’s Head, just outside Bosherton. The long flight of stone steps leading down to the chapel are steep but it’s worth it to see this hidden gem. It is said that the number of steps is never the same going down as going back up.
Shrouded in myth and legend, the tale says St Govan, an Irish Abbot of the 6th century, was set upon by pirates. To escape them the cliff miraculously opened up and left a gap just big enough for him to hide in until the pirates left. In gratitude, he decided to stay here and worship, living in the cave which had saved him.
The chapel you see here today dates back to the 13th Century and was built over the cave using local limestone.
St Govan’s Head is a stunning area, home to many animals and plant species due to large areas being closed off by the Ministry of defence. Access to St Govan’s Chapel is sometimes off limits due to its unique location within the Castlemartin military firing range which is used for practice. Be sure to check on the government website whether it’s open before you come.
There is a free car park here, but this is also closed when there is live military firing. If you turn up while this is happening, you’ll see a red warning flag flying.
Walk from St Govan’s Chapel
Combine a visit to St Govan’s Chapel with Bosherton Lily Ponds and Broad Haven South Beach. All of which are within a mile (East) of each other. You can also park at the National Trust car park at Broadhaven South which is one of the country’s few designated dark sky areas. This area makes a wonderful nighttime stargazing adventure. Enjoy the light show by making the most of clear, frosty skies in winter, or warm evenings of summer.
Or, walk along the coast path in the other direction (West) to see Huntsman’s Leap, Stack Rocks and The Green Bridge of Wales. These are some of Pembrokeshire’s most famous geological features along its rugged coastline.
Bosherston Lily Ponds at Stackpole Estate
Stackpole is a National Nature Reserve and home to the beautiful Bosherston Lily Ponds.
Bosherston Lily Ponds are a man-made lake system created about 200 years ago. They occupy three narrow valleys which were carved into the limestone during the last Ice Age. The lake’s famous water lilies are best seen in the month of June, although we visited at the beginning of August and some of the lilies were still in bloom.
The lakes are teaming with fish and there is plenty of wildlife to spot. A footpath winds its way around the banks to the lovely beach of Broadhaven South which is an easy walk.
This wide sandy beach is beautiful and it’s not overcrowded.
Enjoy tea and cake at the nearby Bosherston Tea Rooms (also known as Olde World Café) or a pub lunch at The St Govan’s Inn which is next door. Other great food options include The Boathouse Tearooms at Stackpole Quay which is ideally located for the coastpath.
Walk from Bosherton Lily Ponds
There is a lovely 6-mile walk along the coastpath which takes in Bosherton Lakes, Barafundle and Broadhaven Beaches, Stackpole Head and Stackpole Quay. On this wildlife walk you may be lucky enough to spot some otters.
There are National Trust car parks at Bosherton Lakes with picnic benches and toilet facilities, and at Stackpole Quay.
Manor Wildlife Park
Manor Wildlife Park is one of the best family days out near Tenby and Saundersfoot. You’ll love the walk-through safari experiences the park offers where you can get up and close to wallabies, lemurs and giant rabbits.
Buy wallaby food as you go in, and head straight into their enclosure which is the first one you’ll see. Hand feed the wallabies in a relaxed setting and see the joey’s feed from their mothers. This was a highlight for us and the children wanted to return at the end of the day to do it all over again.
The zoo sits in 52 acres of protected Pembrokeshire parkland and is a place for all the family to enjoy. Walk through the African Village with goats, sheep and chickens, discover Valley of the Apes and walk with Howler Monkeys.
The parks aim when it first opened was to help people to understand the animals and their habitats.
Manor House Wildlife Park has plenty to keep the family entertained including a hay barn, indoor and outdoor play area. There’s a cafe on site or take a picnic to eat in the grounds.
Manor House Wildlife Park is the first zoo in Wales where a tiger cub has been born. This summer, Zaza a Sumatran tiger cub was born at the park and we were lucky enough to see her with Mum, Terima.
Discover a wide variety of animals including camels, zebra, rhinos, meerkats and go to the talks to learn more about them.
Manor Wildlife Park is a must-visit experience while on holiday in Pembrokeshire.
When is the best time to visit Pembrokeshire?
We suggest visiting Pembrokeshire in late Spring to early Summer. This is when the wild flowers are blooming, the days are long and the weather is (hopefully) sunny and dry. If you travel during the school summer holidays when the tourist season is at its peak the seaside resorts and attractions are busy so it’s advisable to book in advance. There are a wide choice of camping and caravan sites in this part of Wales.
If you prefer to avoid the summer season, autumn and early spring are also lovely times to visit Pembrokeshire.
Otherwise, a cosy cottage with a log fire is ideal for the winter months when visiting Pembrokeshire’s windswept coastline. You’re more likely to have beaches to yourself.
How many days do you need in Pembrokeshire?
Ideally, you’ll need at least a week to explore Pembrokeshire because there is so many lovely places to see. You’ll certainly get a flavour of the county in a weekend although you’ll probably come away wanting to see more. If you only have a few days, it’s advisable to plan your time and have a clear idea about where you want to go and your must-see places.
Hopefully this post has given you some good ideas about where to go in Pembrokeshire and some beauty spots to visit in one of the prettiest areas of Wales.
Read More Travel Guides
Before you go, check out these blog posts:
The Best Days Out and Unmissable Things To Do in Somerset
Top Ten Day Trips From Bristol
The Best Things To Do In Salcombe, Devon
Visit Castle Combe in The Cotswolds
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Disclaimer: Whilst we endeavour to provide accurate information, please always check the details with the venue before you leave in case there are any changes or closures. If you have any more suggestions for family-friendly days out in Somerset, we’d love to hear from you!
