Cultural HistoryThe area is fantastic for exploring and having fun with great Castles and even a Cathedral at St Davids which is about an hours drive away. Go and visit! its a real treat, and we loved how they have built it on a hill, so the aisle inside climbs! lovely tea rooms there too, and some lovely shops in the town to explore. Dogs can go into the grounds. It is also the UK's smallest City thanks to the Cathedral.
Your nearest castle is if course Pembroke Castle A huge fortress and birthplace of Henry VII. Explore the towers, battlements, turrets and a breathtaking underground cavern. Dramatic exhibitions recreate important scenes in the castle’s turbulent history. Programme of family-friendly events and activities are on all year round. Dogs are allowed in on leads into the grounds. Look out for some of their free programs too! we visited in September and they had a childrens party weekend with lots of games and goodies! A few miles only from the house is Manorbier Castle, which is a norman baronial residence overlooking a beautiful beach. Well-preserved walls enclose a grassy courtyard with extensive remains of a chapel and staterooms. Described by medieval writer/traveller Gerald of Wales as ‘the pleasantest spot in Wales’. You can take dogs with you, and then explore the fantastic beach afterwards. Steep hill climb from the car park up to the castle, so drop off visitors first if they would find that a challenge. Also a short drive away is Carew Castle and Tidal Mill which is a must see! It is a Norman and Tudor fortress by a 23-acre millpond with picnic area and a summer activity programme. The millpond is spectacular and is a lovely place to visit. Warning sometimes the tide is out and the pond is not full! |
|
Beaches and walking...This is what made us fall in love with this area! the beaches are insane and nearly all of them are dog friendly all year round!
Look here for just how many there are Freshwater East, right at our doorstep and just a 200-meter walk from the house, is the place to start your coastal adventures. This beach is a true gem, offering a safe and ever-changing environment for your enjoyment. With a little view of the beach from the house, you can easily check whether it's lively or calm each day. Freshwater East is renowned for its extensive sandy shoreline, sand dunes, rock pools, and an abundance of shells in the lovely rock shingle areas. It's an excellent choice for families, and you might want to embark on a quest to find the hidden cave that adds a sense of mystery to the beach. During the winter months, the beach is a popular spot for experienced surfers, although please note that there are no lifeguards on duty during this time. If you're up for some hiking, there's a footpath that takes you over the cliffs, leading you to the pub (a bit of a steep climb at the end) to the left of the beach. To the right, you can explore the national coastal path, providing you with endless opportunities for scenic walks and hikes. Adding to the charm of Freshwater East, a freshwater stream flows into the beach. This is a favourite spot for dogs to paddle in, and kids often enjoy building dams along the stream. Keep in mind that in the hot summer months, the upper part of the stream may not be ideal for dogs, so exercise caution. This versatile beach truly has something for everyone. Freshwater West is another stunning beach in the area, offering an expansive and seemingly endless stretch of sandy shores. It's a true paradise for beachgoers, featuring an enormous expanse of sand, incredible rock pools, and plenty of space for dogs and children to have a blast when the tide is out. One of the unique aspects of Freshwater West is its connection to the world of Harry Potter. It's where they filmed Dobby's house, and it's also the location where Dobby was laid to rest. A pretend grave has been created in the high dunes, adorned with numerous painted stones and gifts left by visitors. This spot holds a special place in the hearts of many, and the tradition of leaving gifts for Dobby continues, despite some mixed feelings in the local community regarding litter. It's a heart-warming way for kids and fans of the series to pay their respects to this beloved character. The combination of natural beauty and a touch of magic makes Freshwater West an unforgettable destination. West Angle Bay Beach is a real find especially for children when the tide is in - lovely safe rockpools, and has a fantastic tea room too called Wavecrest Cafe so its perfect for walking and relaxing! on the drive there, you will see the power station at Milford Haven - a blot on the landscape? or a fantastic view? we love it for some strange reason! it's very impressive looking. The Tenby Beaches The beaches in Tenby are absolutely breath-taking. While the North and Harbour beaches have restrictions on dogs from May to the end of September, the South beach is a fantastic option for those traveling with their furry friends. Tenby itself is a charming town, perfect for a visit. You'll find a wealth of quirky gift shops and local artists, alongside more conventional stores and bookshops. It's a delightful place to spend a day, and it's just a 20-minute drive from the house. The image at the top of this page, showcases the beauty of Tenby Harbour. It's a town so picturesque that you simply must explore it. When it comes to parking, we recommend avoiding the NCP car park due to its expense. Instead, you can find Sainsbury's and park there, which offers a short walk to the town center and is very centrally located. Alternatively, you can follow the road through the town, past the seafront hotels, and then turn left after the one-way road to find the Five Arches Car park, a fabulous and reasonably priced option for longer stays and perfect for a beach day as it is at the top of the South beach area. Tenby is a must-visit destination that combines stunning beaches with a charming town waiting to be explored. Broad Haven South Beach - well it took our breath away. You have to do the Bosherston Lily Ponds walk first though!! Run by the National Trust, it's the law ha-ha. You will see why at the end....take a backpack with a picnic in it - you won't be disappointed! Dogs must be on leads until the end of the walk. You can walk a different way back too. Spec-tac-u-lar!!! Barafundle bay - cannot reach by road so its a wonderful hike to this amazing little gem. Take plenty of water and munchies - beware - no facilities at the beach but worth the walk. Very steep steps up from car park to cliff, then down to the beach and up again on the way back! Car Parking is available, all run by the National Trust, so free if you are a member. DON'T do what we did first time and take chairs lolol - it will kill you. Little Haven Beach - worth the drive especially in the evening when you can walk around the massive beach when the tide is out and then have a lovely pub meal afterwards, and Dale with its gallery and little shops are also winners. Just a taster of a few of the beaches to explore that we have found so far! |
RelaxingIf after all of that walking you would like to book a spa day, then there are some lovely spas nearby open to the public - starting with your nearest which is The Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa which is 2 miles away in Lamphey. Very luxurious and calm with lovely treatment rooms.
Then a little further, but still only about 15mins away, is the Celtic Haven Spa Hotel - it also has a golf course and leisure facilities. Basic feel to it however, as we tried it in April 22. Pool was disappointing but has incredible views! Eating OutFar too many to mention all, but to give a little taster the house is next to The Longhouse, which is the local pub, restaurant and tea rooms. It has a pub grub menu, and they do special nights like curry night etc., and a great Sunday Roast. Open at Xmas, but close in Jan for a rest.
Up the hill you will find the Freshwater Inn - fantastic food and dog friendly. Beware though they don't allow bookings so you have to either be patient or early when visiting! we visited three times before we got in for the first time! they welcome well behaved pooches too. In Lamphey you have the Lamphey Hall Hotel and Restaurant for good food. They also welcome dogs that are well behaved. Newly opened is The Dial Inn in Lamphey - oh goodness! beautifully decorated and great food. Turn right out of the park, and head to Stackpole and you will find The Stackpole Inn - high end dining with lots of fish but book first! always busy but the food is delicious and staff lovely. Beware they won The Best Pub in Wales in 2022 so might be booked out! There is a great traditional pub at Bosherston who welcome dogs called The St Govans Country Inn perfect for visiting after you have walked the famous Bosherston Lily Ponds! They also allow reservations. Basic pub grub but always good to eat and lots of it! Tenby has loads of restaurants and pubs, but you HAVE to visit Top Joes for the best pizza and pasta around! they also have one in Narbeth (lovely quaint town with shopping) . Our family are experts with Pizza and this has to be one of the best we have tasted in years. The cheesy garlic bread is awesome! Park in the Sainsburys car park and walk up to the restaurant or in the Holiday Inn car park which is nearer. There is a Chinese in Pembroke that delivers also - simply drive to the top of the hill to get connection and they will be with you not too long afterwards! We were amazed. We have left some menus and items in the tray in the lounge. |
Check those tides!
Really important last thing - always check your tides!! fantastic to know, especially if you want to walk from Tenby around the shoreline to some magnificent beaches that are hidden from the public apart from the coastal path access, or our favourite to walk from Little Haven to Broad Haven.
Check here! you can also search for towns etc., https://www.tideschart.com/United-Kingdom/Wales/Pembrokeshire/ |