9 Best Places to Visit in Pembrokeshire, Wales

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by Maggie Turansky


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There are countless places to visit in Pembrokeshire that make it an unforgettable destination. A coastal region in the south of Wales that has been popular for decades amongst British tourists for a bucolic seaside escape, it still remains fairly off the beaten path in regards to foreign tourism.

This, however, is a shame as Pembrokeshire seemed to offer the beauty and mild weather of Cornwall with a fraction of the summer crowds. Some of the spots to see in Pembrokeshire include everything from beautiful beaches to imposing castles to charming villages and everything in between.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a quiet seaside getaway and some good time lounging on the beach or are keen to embark on a longer coastal trek, Pembrokeshire really offers it all. As one of the most dramatic places to visit in all of South West Wales, this beautiful region has so much on offer that its sure not to disappoint any who choose to visit.

Getting To & Around Pembrokeshire

There are three main options for travellers wanting to visit Pembrokeshire from other parts of Wales or England: train, bus or car.

By Train

There are regular trains to various towns in Pembrokeshire such as Pembroke and Tenby from Swansea in Wales taking around 1.5-2 hours. You can also connect to these trains from other major cities like Cardiff.

If coming from London, there are trains to Cardiff and Swansea that leave from London Paddington Station roughly every thirty minutes and you can switch to most of the bigger towns in Pembrokeshire from either of those cities. All in, the journey time will take about 4 1/2 hours.

When travelling by train in the UK, it is advisable to book tickets in advance if you want to secure a cheaper fare as last-minute fares can be expensive. You can browse train schedules here.

By Bus

It is possible to take the bus to get to Pembrokeshire however routes are limited and slower than the train. For example, there are direct buses from London Victoria Coach Station to Tenby, one of the biggest towns in Pembrokeshire.

They leave a few times per day, are generally less expensive than the train, and the journey will take about 6 1/2 hours. You can find connections to some towns in Pembrokeshire from Cardiff or Swansea. You can browse bus schedules here.

By Car

Like many places in rural Britain, public transport can be lacking in Pembrokeshire so if you’re not planning on spending all of your time walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, it can be incredibly useful to have your own vehicle. If you do hire a car, there are a couple of options you can take.

The first option is to hire a car locally from Pembrokeshire however there are not as many providers available here as other major cities in Wales and England.

The other option is to hire a car from either Cardiff or Swansea or even London. If travelling from London, it might work out to be cheaper to take the train to Cardiff or Swansea and hire a car from there if you can get a cheap ticket in advance.

For renting a car in the UK, we recommend searching on Rentalcars.Com to find great deals. It’s also worthwhile to take out an excess insurance policy with iCarHireInsurance so you don’t need to pay an excess if you have to make a claim.

The beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast
The beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast

Best Places to Visit in Pembrokeshire

Whether you’re looking for natural scenery, charming villages, historic castles or white sand beaches, Pembrokeshire can offer it all.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

One of the highlights of visiting Pembrokeshire is the sheer jaw-dropping beauty of the region and its coastline, and that is expertly exemplified at the gorgeous Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

One of three Welsh national parks (the others are Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons), this park is filled with dramatic cliffside scenery, beautiful beaches, rambling moorland, lush forest and much more.

If you’re an outdoor lover and are looking for a perfect place to get out in the thick of nature, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with spending time in this incredible national park.

A number of the places to visit listed in this article lie within the national park simply because it is massive and nearly all-encompassing of the entire coastal Pembrokeshire region, spanning nearly 630 square kilometres (243 square miles).

So whether you want to enjoy some of its countless wild beaches, walk in the Preseli Hills or try to visit all of these beautiful places, no time in Pembrokeshire is complete without spending time in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

As already mentioned, one of the most appealing things about a trip to Pembrokeshire is the absolutely stunning coastal scenery. Because of this, walking part if not all of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the best things to do in the region.

This trail spans a total of nearly 300 kilometres (186 miles) and the majority of it winds its way along the coast and the rugged cliffs of the region. Beginning in the south near the town of Amroth and ending at Poppit Sands beach, the coastal path is part of the larger Wales Coast Path which winds its way completely around the coast of Wales.

The trail is quite well marked and there are a number of smaller, circular day hikes you could do on it as well of varying difficulty.

For instance, the circular route around St. Anne’s Head is a great option for a day hike, presents you with beautiful scenery and you might even spot some wild horses! Undoubtedly, the coastal path is one the top attractions in Pembrokeshire.

Hiking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Hiking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Stackpole Nature Reserve

If you haven’t seen enough of beautiful nature yet, then make sure to head to the beautiful Stackpole Nature Reserve. Upheld by the National Trust, this natural area is another fantastic place for a day in the great outdoors and taking in the beautiful scenery, flora and fauna of South Wales.

Known for being home to such wildlife as sea otters, various birds, over 30 species of butterflies and the larges colony of horseshoe bats in Wales, you can also take in beautiful flora in this area, as well.

Full of beautiful beaches, pleasant woodland areas, lily ponds and more, Stackpole is undoubtedly one of the best places to head to when in Pembrokeshire.

Pembroke

Pembrokeshire isn’t all just stunning natural areas and trekking (though these are certainly highlights of visiting the region), there are also countless lovely towns and villages to visit in the region and one of those villages is the lovely town of Pembroke.

Though the town itself can be worth wandering through and exploring, the main highlight of Pembroke is undeniably Pembroke Castle, which is absolutely an excellent place to visit in the region. Known to be the birthplace of Henry Tudor (who would later become King Henry VII), this impressive medieval fortification was first built by the Normans in 1093.

If you love old castles or simply want to learn about Medieval history, a visit to Pembroke and Pembroke Castle is one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire.

Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle

St Davids

A lovely, historic seaside village in the region, St Davids can be one of the top places to visit in the region as it holds the title of the “Smallest City in the UK.” While it may just seem like a tiny village, the fact that there is a proper cathedral is what constitutes it as a city.

Much like Pembroke, the main appeal of St Davids for the majority of visits isn’t the village itself but rather the impressive St Davids Cathedral, which is absolutely worth taking in. The monastic community where the cathedral today stands was founded in the year 589 CE, however, the first cathedral wasn’t built until 1123 and was consecrated in 1131.

The cathedral itself is impressive and worth visiting, but the town is equally charming and a perfect place to wander through and enjoy as it’s filled with inviting cafes and cool shops.

North of St Davids, you can also visit the small town of Porthgain, which is also lovely. And those who are interested in neolithic history, venture even further north to the town of Newport where you can find the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber.

St Davids Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral

Tenby

The town of Tenby is also a great place to visit and is considered one of the best towns in Pembrokeshire to base yourself in. The town itself is a popular summer resort destination due to its picturesque seaside location, great restaurants, and two lovely sandy beaches.

As one of the most popular places to visit in Pembrokeshire, Tenby is absolutely charming and worth exploring in its own right. Home to some beautiful beaches, an interesting walled landscape and lots of interesting places to explore, Tenby is sure to impress all who visit.

If you’re hungry for lunch or dinner and you want a really good Italian pizza, look no further than Top Joe’s. They also have a great wine list. However, if it’s a pub you’re after, there are plenty to choose from in Tenby, as well.

The town is also a jumping-off point to visit the monastic site at Caldey Island, which is home to a community of Trappist monks. Ferries to the island leave from Tenby Harbour where a flock of boats leave regularly for a small fee.

The seaside town of Tenby
The seaside town of Tenby

Carew Castle & Tidal Mill

Located not too far from Tenby lies Carew Castle another fascinating historic site to visit in Pembrokeshire. This medieval fortification was originally built in 1270 by Nicholas de Carew and the castle was inhabited by this family for centuries after.

Located just west of the castle lies the Carew Tidal Mill, the only fully restored mill of its kind in Wales. The mill was built in 1801 and used tidal technology to mill corn. It was fully restored in the 1970s and now it houses a museum.

So if you want to learn a bit about two completely different eras of history in one small town, then you need to make sure to visit Carew Castle and Tidal Mill.

Carew Castle
Carew Castle

Carmarthen

If you’re a fan of Arthurian legend and would like to visit a mythical birthplace (much like Tintagel in Cornwall), then you can’t miss Carmarthen, famous as it is believed to be the birthplace of Merlin.

This Arthurian mystic was said to have been born in a cave just outside the town limits and if you’re at all interested in this legend, then you must visit this charming town. Though located in Carmarthenshire and not in Pembrokeshire, it’s not too much of a detour to visit.

There is also a lot of Roman history in Carmarthen, however, the town does have a contemporary vibe and it is very much worth exploring in its own right. After taking in the historic sites, stroll through its streets and browse the many shops and cafes to be found here.

Beaches

If you happen to be visiting Pembrokeshire in the summertime, you would be remiss if you didn’t take the time to visit one of the region’s beautiful beaches. Marloes Sands, for instance, is one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire, located a bit north of St Anne’s Head and the village of Dale.

If you’re interested in a beautiful beach and some Hollywood history, then head to Freshwater West which was used as a filming location for Shell Cottage in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Alternatively, you could most your way to Whitesands Bay Beach just outside of St Davids. This is another lovely beach to spend a lazy day at and one of the nicest places in Pembrokeshire. There is also a cafe and a campsite here.

Whether you simply want the scenery or are keen to learn to surf on the sandy beach, you’re sure to love the options available in Pembrokeshire.

Whitesands Bay Beach in Pembrokeshire
Whitesands Bay Beach in Pembrokeshire

Where to Stay in Pembrokeshire

Coach Guest House – Located in Tenby, this guest house is well located close to the coast and major attractions. They offer a range of private rooms suitable for couples and families with modern amenities and a great breakfast included daily.

The Park Hotel – Also located in Tenby, this hotel is perfect if you want to stay a little more in nature and close to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path but still be within walking distance of the main town. Rooms are classically decorated with some offering sea views and all having access to a swimming pool. Breakfast is also included daily.

Beachcomber B&B – If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Pembrokeshire, then you can’t go wrong with this swish bed and breakfast. Located in the centre of Tenby, they have a range of plush rooms available, a helpful and accommodating staff and a wonderful breakfast included each morning.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other for hotels in Pembrokeshire. 

Pembrokeshire is truly an underrated destination when it comes to international tourism. While it is certainly no secret in the UK, it still has a wonderful undiscovered atmosphere to it which can make it difficult to find the top places to see in Pembrokeshire.

Couple beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery with postcard-perfect villages and friendly locals — Pembrokeshire is certainly one of the loveliest places to visit in western Britain.

Are you planning a trip to Pembrokeshire? Have any questions about visiting? Let us know in the comments!

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Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics.

Comments

  1. Very interesting! Freshwater West is where Harry Potter …Fresh East is on the South coast. Also, Carmarthen is not in Pembrokeshire and is far too big to be considered a village. However, you’ve summed up the magic of the place beautifully….thank you!

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