11 Awesome Things to do in Pembrokeshire
Swim in the piercing Blue Lagoon, hike along rugged limestone cliffs on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, eat a delicious pub meal, relax on a golden sandy beach and much much more. Here are our top things to do in Pembrokeshire!
Summer 2021, the summer of staycations and our chance to explore more of the UK we’d previously taken for granted.
Although we definitely missed getting on a plane and ending up somewhere completely different to home, we were enjoying seeing more of the beauty that the UK had to offer.
Last summer we had a long weekend hiking in the Peak District which, although Andy had visited numerous times, I’d never been. I also spent a weekend in the South Downs and went on some beautiful countryside walks.
We were meeting some friends in the Wye Valley over the August Bank Holiday weekend so thought we’d spend a few days in another part of Wales for a few days before.
We wanted somewhere we could do some walking and that wasn’t going to be overcrowded like Snowdon so we decided on Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire has managed to stay off the main tourist trail, I think in part due to its location as it’s quite far to get to (it took us 7 hours from London with a couple of stops).
However, this meant the walking trails weren’t nearly as busy as they would be hiking up Snowdon at this time of year. In fact, on our walk from Whitesands to Porthgain, for the first 5/6 kilometres, we only saw about 5 other people!
Pembrokeshire offers some of the UK’s most magnificent scenery and really makes you feel like you’re escaping the hustle and bustle and getting back to nature.
So, next time you’re thinking of a UK staycation, rather than the tourist hotspots like Devon or Cornwall where you’ll pay through the roof for overcrowded beaches, think about this wonderful area in West Wales.
Things to do in Pembrokeshire
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Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
At the top of our list of things to do in Pembrokeshire is our main reason for visiting; walking some of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first national trail in Wales. It runs from Saint Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south for 299 kilometres. It also makes up part of the Wales Coast Path which spans around Wales for 1400 kilometres!
Lonely Planet has described the Pembrokeshire Coast Path as one of the best long-distance trails in the world and it’s little wonder why; it’s absolutely stunning!
Gorgeous golden sand beaches, steep limestone cliffs plummeting into striking turquoise ocean, rolling red sandstone bays, volcanic headlands and flooded glacial valleys litter the landscape as far as you can see.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is located inside Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (see below) and completing the trail in one go would take between 10 to 15 days.
One day we hope to complete the whole thing in one go, however, on this trip we walked along part of it between Whitesands and Porthgain. This trail is an adventurous, full-day 16-kilometre walk and offers some of the best scenery along the Coast Path.
There are also plenty of shorter walks starting at just a couple of kilometres.
Visit Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Established in 1952, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park covers an area of 629 square kilometres and has one of the most diverse landscapes in the UK. It’s also the UK’s only coastal national park.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a haven for outdoor lovers with the biggest draw being the abundant sandy beaches. There are over 50 waiting to be explored and relished ranging from busy and popular with families to secluded and hidden coves.
As well as the beaches, another big draw to the area is to walk some of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (see above).
Rock climbing, coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, fishing and wildlife viewing are also among many other popular outdoor activities you can do here.
Marvel at the Blue Lagoon
It goes without saying that visiting the striking Blue Lagoon is one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire!
The Blue Lagoon, near Abereiddy, is a former slate quarry with piercing blue-green water and serves as a reminder of the area’s industrial past.
Up until 1910, this quarry remained active and the slate that was extracted from here was transported up to Porthgain by tramway and shipped out of the harbour.
Surrounded by ruins and craggy rocks, today, this area is a popular spot for kayaking, coasteering, climbing and jumping off the cliffs. Careful, however, the water is very deep and cold!
Explore Pembroke Castle
In the centre of Pembroke, is the medieval Pembroke Castle.
It was built in 1093 by Arnulf de Montgomery, the Earl of Pembroke and not long later withstood a long siege during the Norman invasion of Wales.
A century later, Charles I gave the castle to William Marshal who became one of the most powerful men in 12th-century Britain. He rebuilt Pembroke Castle in stone, creating most of the structure you see today.
The castle is open to the public and offers spectacular views from atop its massive round keep.
Have a Pub Meal
After hiking along the coast path, swimming in the blue lagoon, exploring some of the many beaches or visiting the castle, one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire is to go for a cosy country pub meal.
Most of the pubs will serve fresh, seasonal and local food so you know your money’s staying in the local area.
Visit The Farmer’s Arms for their beer garden sun trap with sweeping views of St David’s Cathedral, The Bishops for a cosy haven all year round, The Sloop Inn with its maritime decor and The Royal George for its amazing views of St Brides Bay.
Visit Tenby
Probably the most iconic seaside town in Wales, visiting Tenby has to make it on to your list of things to do in Pembrokeshire.
Amble about the town’s maze of narrow streets as you browse the independent boutiques, watch the world go by from cafes and enjoy warm alfresco dining in the summer.
As with everywhere in Pembrokeshire, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had. Wildlife parks, boat trips from Tenby Harbour to offshore islands, walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, numerous beautiful beaches, fishing and so much more.
Walk Around Bosherston Lakes
You may be thinking Pembrokeshire is all about the coast and beaches, however, located in Stackpole is a National Nature Reserve home to the tranquil Bosherston Lakes.
Bosherston Lakes are known for their magnificent display of waterlilies and is a great place for a walk away from the beaches which can get quite busy.
They’re also a great place for a spot of wildlife viewing. Keep your eyes peeled for otters, dragonflies, wildfowl, herons, wrens, tawny owls and much much more.
One of the best walks is a 9-kilometre trail starting at Stackpole Quay, following the coast to Barafundle, continuing on towards Stackpole Head, heading inland to Bosherston Lakes at Broadhaven Beach and looping back to Stackpole Quay Car Park.
Relax on the Beach
With 300 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, it goes without saying that one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire is to relax on the beach!
With over 50 beaches, there’s something to suit everyone. Secluded coves you’ll have all to yourself, perfect for a romantic picnic, huge expanses of golden sand backed by dunes, ideal for families or small rocky spots excellent for rock pooling.
Some of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches include; Barafundle Bay; which involves a kilometre walk through the forest, Freshwater West; one of the best surfing spots and the award-winning wide sandy beach, Whitesands Bay.
Pay Your Respects to Dobby
For Harry Potter fans, one of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire is to visit the location of Dobby’s grave. It’s in a stunning spot on Freshwater West Beach tucked away behind some of the sand dunes.
Every day the memorial grows and grows with fans visiting and leaving their own contributions such as messages on large stones or socks.
Visit St Davids Cathedral
Located in St Davids, the UK’s smallest city lies St Davids Cathedral. It’s a great place to visit if you want to explore history, spirituality and art.
The site of the cathedral dates back to the 6th century when St David founded a monastery here and trained missionaries to spread Christianity to Ireland.
Over the next four centuries, the monastery was raided numerous times, however, it was a site of such religious and intellectual importance that King Alfred summoned the help of the monastic community in St Davids in its rebuilding.
The cathedral we see today was constructed in 1181 and is thought to be the 4th to stand on this site. One of the first things you’ll notice as you enter the cathedral is the sloping ground and pillars due to the swampy ground the site is built on.
Browse Local Stalls at St Davids Market
Finally, on our list of things to do in Pembrokeshire is to browse St Davids local market. Every Thursday, in the heart of the city at Cross Square, is the weekly market (if you visit in the winter, the market will be in the city hall).
Each week the market stalls are full of locally produced food, drinks, crafts, artwork, plants and much more.
We didn’t know about the market but luckily we were in St Davids on a Thursday and ended up buying a beautiful photograph by a local photographer of the Blue Lagoon.
Everything Else You Need to Know
How do I get around Pembrokeshire?
Although we’d recommend hiring a car to get around Pembrokeshire to give you complete freedom and flexibility, it is possible to travel around using the Coastal Bus Service.
Buses are few and far between, however, and you may have to travel on multiple buses to get to where you want to go as they go via the main towns.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of awesome things to do in Pembrokeshire. As always, leave a comment or get in touch if you have any questions 🙂