Pembrokeshire offers everything you could possibly need for an unforgettable holiday with your family or friends, whether you’re looking for fun, adventure, relaxation – or a combination of all three.
To give you a taste of the wealth of activities and attractions on offer, here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Pembrokeshire:
1. Try coasteering
Pembrokeshire is the birthplace of coasteering, an action-packed watersport that offers adults and children alike an invigorating experience. Book a coasteering session with a professional instructor or guide and you’ll soon be enjoying your own saltwater adventure. You’ll get the chance to explore the rocky coastline at sea level by jumping, climbing, scrambling and swimming.
Celtic Quest Coasteering runs coasteering sessions that start at Abereiddy Beach and take in the renowned Blue Lagoon, a former slate quarry now flooded by the sea. All activities are tailored to suit your abilities and expectations, and the minimum age is just eight years old.
TYF offers high-quality adventures for a variety of levels in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Their exhilarating sessions feature a blend of scrambling, leaping and traversing, and along the way you’ll find caves to explore and waves to navigate.
2. Go crabbing
Some of the best and most memorable holiday experiences are the simplest ones, and a great example of this is crabbing. The Pembrokeshire coastline is the perfect location to while away a morning or afternoon enjoying this low-tech, fun-filled activity that has been amusing holidaymakers of all ages for generations.
All you need is a bucket filled with seawater (to store your catch), a net (not essential), a non-hook crab line (or piece of string and weight), and bait. For reasons perhaps only known to the crabs, a bit of smoky bacon, mackerel or fish works a treat – anything a bit smelly!
The best places to enjoy a spot of crabbing during your holiday are Solva Harbour, Porthclais Harbour, and Porthgain Harbour.
3. Take a boat trip
For the best view of our jaw-dropping coastline and its varied wildlife, take a boat trip to one – or all – of Pembrokeshire’s beautiful islands.
Boat trips can be booked to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, Skomer, Cardigan Island, and Cemaes Head.
You can explore sea caves and the notorious “Bitches reef”, while being entertained with tales of shipwrecks and learning about the fascinating geology of the cliffs. Wildlife is in abundance, so this is a great opportunity to spot grey seals, porpoises, choughs, kittiwakes, gannets and, of course, puffins.
Local companies offering boat trips include Voyages of Discovery; Falcon Boats; Pembrokeshire Islands; and Thousand Islands Expeditions.
4. Ride a horse on the beach
Fancy following in the hoof prints of stars such as Russell Crowe, Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth? The Hollywood actors filmed dramatic scenes on the beaches at Freshwater West and Marloes Sands in the films Robin Hood, and Snow White and the Huntsman.
Pembrokeshire offers beach horse-riding experiences that cater for all skill levels and ages. Try Nolton Stables or Marros Riding Centre.
5. Follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Pembrokeshire is a walker’s paradise, and no holiday here would be complete without a walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or one of its beautiful beaches. There’s definitely no better way to experience the county’s spectacular coastline.
The renowned walking route runs for 186 miles from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. And no two Pembrokeshire beaches are the same, so whatever your preference – whether a long sandy stretch with impressive waves or a secluded bay with rockpools – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Most visitors take a short section at a time and you can choose sections that suit your own abilities. Plus, there’s a coastal bus service that serves the rural communities and coast path walkers.
6. Discover Pembrokeshire’s history – and castles
Pembrokeshire’s history is as dramatic as its scenery, and the county has more than its fair share of atmospheric castles waiting for you to explore.
A few of our favourites are Carew Castle, Picton Castle, Pembroke Castle, Narberth Castle, and Manorbier Castle.
7. Visit The Bug Farm
Situated on an historic Welsh working farm, just outside St Davids, The Bug Farm is a research and visitor centre like no other. Here, you’ll find a tropical bug zoo, bug museum, British bug house, insect farming exhibition, farm trails, and a walled garden
And if you’re feeling a bit peckish, you can choose from the unusual menu at the Grub Kitchen – the UK’s first full-time edible insect café/restaurant. Why not try the Bug Wellington or perhaps a Welsh cake with cinnamon mealworms? But don’t worry if you’re feeling a little less adventurous because there are equally delicious dishes on the menu – minus the creepy crawlies.
8. Make a splash at Wild Lakes
Home to Wales’ first aqua park, Wild Lakes has a range of water-based activities for everyone from beginner to advanced level.
Situated in the Pembrokeshire countryside, near Narberth, the attraction offers wakeboarding and ringo rides, as well as its aqua park where you can enjoy inflatable fun by tackling the floating obstacle course. There’s also an on-site café and bar.
9. Visit St Davids Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace
Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, is home to the impressive St Davids Cathedral. We recommend taking a stroll along the tranquil valley of the River Alun in St Davids, while you admire the magnificent architecture of this medieval building. And you don’t have to be spiritually inclined to fall under its spell.
The cathedral stands next to the Bishop’s Palace, and although now a ruin, the medieval palace is still an awe-inspiring sight.
10. Treat yourself to a Pointz Castle ice cream
No seaside holiday would be complete without an ice cream – or two – and our personal favourite is the delicious, luxurious Pointz Castle ice cream. The milk used to create the ice cream comes from their own cows on their Pembrokeshire farm at Penycwm, near Solva. The mouth-watering flavours available in the Pointz Castle ice cream parlour include jammy dodger, tiramisu, and Pimm’s. Afterwards, take a leisurely walk down to the beach.
Book your Pembrokeshire cottage holiday
With so much to see and do, you’ll need at least a few days, a week – or longer – to sample Pembrokeshire’s many and varied attractions.
The team at St Brides Bay Cottages can help you find your perfect coastal cottage and give you tips on how to make the most of your seaside escape.
Book online today, or get in touch to find out more by calling us on 01437 720027 or sending an email to
