Things to do in Pembrokeshire
Located in South Wales, Pembrokeshire has to be a strong contender for the best place to visit in the UK. This is largely thanks to the Pembrokeshire Coast, one of the UK’s 15 National Parks, which has natural beauty and landscapes in abundance. However, it’s not all about nature — there are so many fun things to do in Pembrokeshire and unique places to visit that you’ll need to start making a list.
From castles and stately homes to bug farms and adventure parks, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Pembrokeshire. Better yet, at Haven we have three excellent holiday parks in Pembrokeshire — Kiln Park, Lydstep Beach and Penally Court. We’ve got your accommodation sorted, so all that’s left to do is plan an itinerary. That’s why we’ve put together this list of things to do in Pembrokeshire. Take this head start and start planning your perfect South Wales escape.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Undeniably one of the most picturesque areas of the UK, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, located on the rugged west coast of Britain, is our top place to visit in Pembrokeshire. There are 186 miles of coastline ripe for exploring on foot, trying out watersports, spotting wildlife and becoming immersed in Welsh history.
The park with its coastal path are beautiful in all weathers, but late summer is best when the sea is warm and the days are still long, giving you plenty of hours of light to enjoy walking and swimming. The coast is equipped with car parks, many of which are National Trust, meaning that there’s great access to the area’s excellent beaches. Some of the beaches have dog-free periods over the summer but often this is limited to sections. By and large dogs are welcome not only on the beaches, but also in most pubs, so it’s a great area for those on holiday with their canine friends. Altogether, it’s an unmissable spot and well worth the 45-minute drive from any of our Tenby-based holiday parks.
Tenby Castle, Tenby
Address: Bridge St, Tenby SA70 7BP
In total Pembrokeshire is home to 51 mighty strongholds, ruins and fully-fledged castles. It just so happens that one of these is on the doorstep of our three holiday parks in Tenby.
Following the path up from the harbour to Castle Hill you'll arrive on a headland by Tenby’s Blue Flag Castle Beach. Here you will find Tenby Castle, originally built by the Normans in the 12th century. To this day, there still stands a ruined entrance gate in the form of a barbican, a single cylindrical tower with a four-sided communication turret and smaller fragments of the defensive wall. Entrance to the castle area is free and it is open all year round, making it a great option for anyone staying at one of our holiday parks.
Dr Beynon's Bug Farm, St Davids
Address: Lower Harglodd Farm, St Davids SA62 6BX
The Bug Farm is a quirky, innovative, and unique attraction that's sure to capture the imaginations of insect-loving kids and adults alike. Along with a farm and exhibition are tropical and British bug houses, a nature reserve, farm trails and a walled garden. Whatever your age or interest, there's something for you, even for those with a fear of creepy-crawlies.
Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is located in 100 acres of Pembrokeshire’s finest countryside that is yours to explore. There's lots to do outdoors, and there are also indoor exhibits for rainy days. The kids will learn about the wonders of bugs and what they do for us. The displays are so fascinating that even the most extreme of bug-phobics might just be converted into beetle nerds by the end of the day. The focus of the bug centre is wildlife conservation and sustainable farming and food so it makes sense that the on-site cafe “Grub Kitchen” is the UK’s first full-time edible insect restaurant. If you’re feeling brave, why not try the food of the future? Grubs! If you’re not quite ready yet, there are plenty of non-insect dishes on offer too.
The Cauldron, Castlemartin
Address: Castlemartin, Pembroke SA71 5DS
Pembrokeshire’s coast is some of the most impressive in the UK. There are numerous dramatic rock formations to be seen. For example: the beautifully named “Cauldron”, a large sink hole on the south coast near the Green Bridge Of Wales. It may not appear to be much as you approach from the car park, but as you get nearer the dramatic geology becomes visible along with the sound of the swelling tide.
In truth, it takes a lot of courage to look over the edge and into the sheer drop that seems to haven been burrowed into the depths of the earth. It’s deep, dark and mysterious, and the lack of people on the nearby beaches only adds to the atmosphere. Please do not let kids and dogs wander here alone and take ample care as you gape in awe the raw power of nature on display at The Cauldron.
Picton Castle Gardens, Rhos
Address: Rhos, Haverfordwest SA62 4AS
Picton Castle is one of Pembrokeshire’s finest stately homes. Surrounded by 60 acres of some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales, the 13th-century castle is an unusual ancient building. The fully fortified medieval castle was transformed into a stately home for the upper-classes in the 1700s and is now open to the public.
The castle's RHS partner gardens are the crowning glory of the estate and feature many rare trees and plants from around the world. There's plenty to enjoy in every season, from magnificent rhododendrons and shady woodlands to the exotic jungle garden. The Grade II-listed walled garden is home to an eclectic and colourful collection of plants, informally arranged in large beds. Fortunately, there’s something for the kids too! Visit the collection of owls and other exotic birds and enjoy flying displays in the summer months.
Caldey Lighthouse, Caldey Island
Address: Caldey Island, Tenby SA70 7UJ
Caldey Island is a beautiful and tranquil place, populated by an order of monks who honour a tradition of prayer and contemplation which began there in Celtic times. Small ferries leave Tenby Harbour every 15 minutes in the summer months and take 20-30 minutes to reach the island sanctuary, a world apart from the mainland.
On the island there is a monastery, perfumery and chocolate factory. However, our top thing to do in Pembrokeshire when on Caldey Island is the walk up from the beach to the lighthouse. This takes about 45 minutes, though you can extend it for a longer coastal walk. The lighthouse is the island’s highest point so it’s hard to miss and the high ground affords breathtaking views. Built in 1829 to guide coastal shipping past the St. Gowan Shoals and the Helwick Sands, the lighthouse itself is one for history lovers and makes for a great photo.
Scolton Manor, Bethlehem
Address: Bethlehem, Haverfordwest SA62 5QL
Go back in time at Scolton Manor, a Victorian manor house built in 1840s that's authentically furnished with 11 period rooms on show near Haverfordwest.
Not only is it an award-winning visitor centre, but the manor also has an eco-centre set in 60 acres of Country Park and woodland. There’s loads of space for kids to run around, with plenty to capture their imaginations such as the exciting adventure play areas, sculpture trail and woodland bike trail. If this isn’t enough to keep your family occupied, there’s a walled garden full of flowers, a beekeeping centre, and a newly restored steam engine, Margaret.
Be sure to check out the lovely tea room too with its range of hot and cold drinks, ice lollies and delicious homemade cakes as well as the gift shop and station farm shop selling delightful handmade local products.
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Boat trips in Pembrokeshire
Boat trips in Pembrokeshire
Best beaches in Pembrokeshire
Best walks in Pembrokeshire
Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset at Lydstep Beach
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
“Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is available at Lydstep Beach. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
"Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Lydstep Beach only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Lydstep Beach with a monthly site fee of £899.00 (includes purchasing discount of £29) and monthly letting income of £719.00. The monthly difference equates to £151 which will be charged to the owner's account monthly; to meet the site fee payment of £150 per month, an additional credit of £1 per month will be applied to the owner’s account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.