Pembrokeshire Travel Guide: Best Places to Eat, Stay & Visit
With golden beaches, historic castles and magnificent wildlife, the Welsh region of Pembrokeshire is a truly spectacular corner of the UK.
It is home to the 186-mile-long Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and Britain’s only coastal national park.
Absolute Escapes are award-winning experts in self-drive holidays and Pembrokeshire has long been one of our most-loved destinations. Read on to discover some of our favourite experiences in this beautiful region.
View this post on Instagram
Best things to see and do in Pembrokeshire
With a vast coastline filled with intriguing rock pools, sand dunes and secret coves – Pembrokeshire isn’t short on beautiful beaches to explore. Some of these can get very crowded during the summer but there’s such a variety of beaches that it’s easy to find your own hidden gem. The secluded Barafundle Bay is only accessible on foot making it a beautifully peaceful spot.
You could also discover the wonders of Pembrokeshire’s natural rock formations at the dramatic Green Bridge. The magical Blue Lagoon is a former slate quarry now filled with vibrant blue-green water.
View this post on Instagram
If you’re fascinated by castles then Wales is the place for you. Dating back to the 11th century, Pembroke Castle has a rich and intriguing history and it’s well worth taking one of their free guided tours. Carew Castle & Tidal Mill is another historic gem, while Cilgerran Castle commands a dramatic location – perched high above the Teifi Gorge.
Magical Skomer Island is unmissable for wildlife lovers, being home to puffins, guillemots, razorbills, storm petrels and Manx. We recommended visiting in early summer to see the thousands of birds raising their young.
There’s also a wonderful bird-watching viewpoint from Strumble Head Lighthouse near Fishguard. Here, you can also spot whales and dolphins on the coast and seals and gannets by the rocks.
Further south, Llangloffan Fen nature reserve is rich in wildlife including waterfowl, barn owls, warblers, polecats, otters and water shrews.
View this post on Instagram
Best places to eat and drink in Pembrokeshire
For a special fine dining experience, we recommend Coast Saundersfoot in the small seaside village of Saundersfoot in between Tenby and Amroth. With panoramic views across Coppet Hall Beach from their floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll be sure of a stunning view to complement your meal. They pride themselves on providing a combination of informal yet professional service which results in a very welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in their modern restaurant. The cuisine is contemporary British, created using locally sourced Pembrokeshire ingredients and specialising in fresh seafood dishes.
Situated in the picturesque harbour village of Porthgain, we recommend the relaxed and informal fish and chip bistro, The Shed. This modest little bistro is housed in an old boatshed and is known for serving some of Pembrokeshire’s best seafood. Having developed their menu on what was popular, they now have a whole separate menu for fish and chips! Their meals are created using the local fish and shellfish that they catch themselves. Make sure to check out their unique daily specials using whatever the owners caught that morning.
With a AA Rosette award and carefully sourced ingredients, The Orangery at Trefloyne Manor in Tenby offers a delightful dining experience. They serve Welsh meat selected by local family-run butchers as well as local fish from Tenby Harbour and across Pembrokeshire. They even grow their own vegetables in the hotel’s gardens to serve in their restaurant. The chefs here regularly change the menu to adapt to the seasons and to keep their dishes fresh and unique. They also serve wonderful gins, cocktails and local beers.
View this post on Instagram
Best places to stay in Pembrokeshire
For an unforgettable experience, treat yourself like royalty and stay in 12th-century Roch Castle. This 5* castle hotel provides luxury accommodation in a historic venue. Nearby is a two-mile stretch of gloriously golden sand at Newgale Beach.
For another premium experience, we recommend Heywood Spa Hotel in Tenby. With a relaxing spa experience and luxurious rooms, this is a great place to unwind after a busy day.
Also in Tenby – one of Wales’ best seaside towns – you’ll find Lindholme Guest House. This friendly, family-run property is a two-minute walk from the town’s famous South Beach.
View this post on Instagram
Best time to visit Pembrokeshire
We suggest planning your trip to Pembrokeshire from April to October when there’s the best chance of a pleasant temperature with sunshine and blue skies. There is less chance of rainfall in these months, however, in Wales, you can never guarantee not experiencing a rain shower or two!
Early summer is the best time for spotting wildlife and bird-watching as many birds will be raising their young during the warmer months.
If you’d like to visit Pembrokeshire when it’s less busy, but still get the mild temperatures and longer daylight hours, then late spring (April and May) or early autumn (September and October) may be the best time for you.
View this post on Instagram
Tips from our team
Pippa: “The circular walk around Marloes Deer Park is lovely and has excellent seal and bird-spotting opportunities.”
Scott: “Don’t miss visiting Barafundle Bay near Pembroke – a stunning beach backed by pine trees and sand dunes. It’s a little off-the-beaten-track but is regularly named one of the best beaches in Britain.”
Daisy: “If you can brave the cold, take a dip in the blue lagoon at Abereiddy. It’s a favourite spot with locals for rock jumping, and when I swam here we were joined by some friendly seal pups!”
Katia: “The Marloes Peninsula offers incredible views of soft sandy beaches; you might even spot some seals basking in the sunshine!”
Pippa: “St David’s Cathedral isn’t to be missed, it’s a huge Cathedral in the UK’s smallest city.”
View this post on Instagram
Discover Pembrokeshire with Absolute Escapes
Inspired to explore the wonderful region of Pembrokeshire? Our Pembrokeshire & South Wales self-drive tour takes in the highlights of Pembrokeshire, as well as Cardiff, the Gower Peninsula, and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
We have specialised in self-drive holidays in the UK since 2004. Each of our holidays are created uniquely for you, and include hand-picked accommodation and a personalised information pack with sightseeing and dining recommendations. Please get in touch if we can help you plan your perfect escape.
Melanie Grandidge
