Pembrokeshire is in the far west of Wales. Although it is bordered by the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire the peninsula is otherwise surrounded entirely by the ocean. And what a coastline that is! A small county it might be, but the Pembrokeshire coast stretches for more than 260 miles (420 km).
It is that stunning coastline that has given the county its distinction as the UK’s only coastal national park – the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (or Arfordir Penfro, in its native Welsh).
While any visit to this corner of Wales will sooner or later take you beside the sea, however, there are plenty of other things to do in Pembrokeshire, too – as we shall see.
1. The coast
To start with the most obvious, therefore, you will want to explore at least a mile or two of the coastal paths. Since you can circumnavigate practically the entire peninsula along these paths, the entire walk will be quite a stretch – most guides suggest that you’d need 12 days to cover the full route. If there’s still steam in the engine after that exertion, the Pembrokeshire pathway is also part of the 870-mile (1,400-km) Wales Coast Path around the whole of the principality from south to north.
Along any coastal path, you will be greeted by stunning views, marvel at the diversity of its windswept flora, and glimpse the wildlife that inhabits the land, air, and sea hereabouts.
2. St Davids
St Davids is the UK’s smallest city – and no less attractive and inviting for all that.
It’s thoroughly appropriate, of course, that the city bearing the name of Wales’s patron saint is also dominated by the majestic architecture of St Davids Cathedral – one of the oldest cathedrals in the whole of the UK.
On the site of the former 6th-century monastery, you will find St Davids’ final resting place. Convention has it that 2 trips to this shrine to St David is worth one pilgrimage to Rome and if you make three visits, that’s the equivalent of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Away from the historic heart of the city, the ancient high street also echoes Wales’s past and culture. Browse to your heart’s content among the many boutiques, antique shops, galleries, delicatessens, ice-cream parlours, and coffee shops.
3 Ancient history
As if this millennium’s history has left you wanting more, Pembrokeshire also boasts even older sites, such as the Neolithic stone dolmen (ancient burial place) of Pentre Ifan and Castell Henllys – a site reconstructing an Iron Age community where life from those times is truly brought to life as you make bread from the flour you’ve ground yourself, flavoured perhaps by the wild garlic you collected earlier, and all served up in a replica roundhouse used by ancient Celts.
4. Islands
The Pembrokeshire coast is also known for numerous offshore islands – some no more than barren rocks for nesting seabirds, but others large enough to have supported human habitation in the past.
Chief among these are the islands or islets of Skomer, Skokholm, and Grassholm. They were named by the Vikings who created at least some settlements at times there but today they are home to large colonies of seabirds and Grey seals.
Indeed, an estimated half a million Manx Shearwaters nest on Skomer – accounting for roughly 60% of the UK’s population of this iconic seabird.
5. Seaside resort
If you’d like a break away from the natural wonders of coastline, sea, and flora, instead hankering for somewhere with the more traditional vibe of a classic British seaside resort, Pembrokeshire will offer you just that experience too.
The resort is the seaside town of Tenby. It has a charming harbour, three fine beaches, and an ambience seemingly designed for the quiet art of snoozing and slurping the occasional ice cream.
6. Castles
The British Isles have a fine history of castle building – and in Pembrokeshire, those skills seem to have been perfected more than in other parts of the country.
From the 13th-century castle of Cilgerran – that overlooks the River Teifi from its setting high above the tree-covered crags – to Pembroke Castle itself, which was built during the reign of Henry VII, Pembrokeshire offers these and many other examples of the county’s stonemasons’ skills and experience through the ages. We hope you have enjoyed these highlights of things to do and see in wonderful Pembrokeshire. To find a place to pitch up, visit: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/holiday-accommodation/camping-and-caravans.