Combine all the come-and-go-as-you-please freedom of self-catering with a terrific location and you have more than just a holiday – you have an unbeatable FBM Holiday!
West and south-west Wales is one of the most glorious regions in Britain (if not the world) for its remarkable repertoire of fabulous beaches, magnificent coast and countryside, breathtakingly beautiful hills and mountains, and a huge diversity of wildlife which enriches land, sea and air. And these are just the wonders provided by nature! Add to this great outdoors all the man-made attractions – from shopping to skydiving – and you'd be extremely hard pushed to name an interest, leisure pursuit or holiday activity that isn't well catered for, whatever your particular cup of tea.
So the only question is, where will you find all the things you want see and do for a truly unforgettable holiday or short break? This brief FBM Holidays guide to great days out will help you find your way.
GREAT DAYS OUT in Pembrokeshire
• Activities, adventure & watersports
• Arts & crafts
• Best beaches
• Boat trips
• Castles & historic sites
• Events
• Fun parks & other attractions
• Ireland by ferry
• Walking & the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
• Wildlife & the environment
Activities, adventure & watersports
Pembrokeshire's great outdoors provides the perfect environment for a whole spectrum of land-based and water-based activities and high adventure. It's one of the many reasons why thousands of visitors are drawn to the county and national park every year – and why they keep coming back for more!
• Adventure & watersports. If thrills and spills are your idea of a great holiday, Pembrokeshire is the place for you. There are several centres specialising in activities such as coasteering, abseiling, assault courses, climbing and a whole variety of watersports – bodyboarding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing to name a few – and first-class instruction by qualified professionals and the provision of essential equipment and safety gear is all part of the package. These specialist and experienced centres include TYF No Limits, Pembrokeshire Activity Centre, Sealyham Activity Centre, Dale Sailing and a number of surfing shops and schools such as Newsurf. The best surfing beaches are Whitesands (St David's), Newgale and wild Freshwater West, the latter boasting the biggest and most consistent break in Wales but subject to strong rip currents, so take care. Other exciting activities you can enjoy in Pembrokeshire include horseriding, karting and quad biking – not to mention the excellent facilities of venues such as Tenby Leisure Centre. And for yet more sea-based adventure see also wildlife & the environment.
• Cycling and mountain biking. There are many opportunities to enjoy fun and action on two wheels – from circular routes in the north of the county based around Cardigan to the 7-mile challenge encompassing the reservoir at Llys-y-Fran Country Park to established cycling centres including Newport in the north and Saundersfoot in the south. The traffic-free Brunel cycle trail, along the route of the old railway line between Neyland and Johnston, now goes all the way to Haverfordwest. The availability of showerproof route maps (from tourist information centres) is a bonus. And mountain bikers who are up for it can assure themselves of high excitement – such as the off-road cliff-top terrain between Stack Rocks and St Govan's Head – by taking advantage of the bike accommodating coastal cruiser bus service. In fact, if you're on wheels, there's something for all the family, including paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The big news in 2007 for keen cyclists was the opening of the Sustrans network link between Fishguard and Cardigan, connecting the round-Pembrokeshire Celtic Trail and the Lon Cambria route from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury.
• Fishing. As well as sea angling from harbour, beach, rocks or boat, there's freshwater fishing along the Teifi and at locations such as the reservoir at Llys-y Fran Country Park, and coarse fishing at a number of venues throughout the county, including beautiful Bosherston lily ponds on the south coast.
• Golf. The choice of 8 challenging courses:
Haverfordwest (parkland, with views of the Preseli Hills), Milford Haven (views over the busy waterway), Newport (currently 9 holes but soon to be upgraded to 18, spectacular coastal views), Priskilly (family-run parkland course), South Pembrokeshire (close to the ferry terminal at Pembroke Dock, panoramic views), St David's (overlooking the superb Whitesands Blue Flag beach), Tenby Golf Club (the famous links course of the oldest golf club in Wales, playable all year round) and Trefloyne (a much more recent parkland course very close to Tenby).
Arts & crafts
Pembrokeshire's natural attractions have always proven an irresistible draw to people who work in virtually any field of creativity, from artists and craftspeople to writers, musicians and photographers. It has even been said that there are more artists per acre living in Pembrokeshire than anywhere else in the UK. This rich tradition of the arts is evident in the wealth of galleries, studios and workshops open to visitors right across the county. Such attractions include working woollen mills and industries producing items as varied as jewellery, garments, knitwear, furniture, carpets, needlecraft, Caldey Island perfumes, Welsh crystal, lovespoons, candles, glassware, slate creations, pottery and much more. An Art & Craft Guide, available from tourist information centres, will help you discover them all.
Best beaches
If Pembrokeshire is known for one thing above all others, it has to be the incredible number of fabulous sandy beaches contained within such a compact corner of Britain's west coast. In 2007 the county picked up no fewer than 57 awards for the quality of its beaches and water – including 11 international Blue Flag Awards, the highest accolade and standard throughout Europe. So where are the best beaches in Pembrokeshire? The simple answer is anywhere that takes your fancy – be it the south, the west or the north coast. But if you want names, the Blue Flag beaches are (north) Poppit Sands and Whitesands; (west) Newgale, Broad Haven and Dale; and (south) Lydstep Haven, Tenby South, Tenby Castle, Tenby North, Saundersfoot and Amroth. So how many Pembrokeshire beaches are there in total? A staggering 59!
Boat trips
From shoreline and island pleasure cruises to exciting wildlife expeditions to high-speed adventure in rigid inflatables, the dramatic Pembrokeshire coastline provides endless opportunities for exploring this wild corner of Wales from the fascinating perspective of the sea. One of the most popular of all boat trips is the short (20-minute) crossing from Tenby to Caldey Island – the home of a small community of Cistercian monks. This tranquil and beautiful sanctuary has a variety of attractions, from the sandy beach to a chocolate factory, shops, walks, tea gardens and the monastery itself.
See also:
• Ireland by ferry
• wildlife & the environment
Castles & historic sites
Pembrokeshire is the home of the Tudor dynasty: Henry VII was born in
Pembroke Castle and became the first Welshman to claim the English crown when he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Today the castle is well preserved and is one of many castles and other popular historic (and prehistoric) attractions and monuments in the county (listed here from A-Z). Both Tenby and Pembroke also boast the distinction of being medieval walled towns.
• Carew Castle & Tidal Mill. The place where the last great medieval jousting tournament in Wales was held, five centuries ago, Carew Castle enjoys a picturesque waterside setting, Today it is the scene for regular events organised by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, who manage the site. A further attraction here is an 11th-century Celtic cross – one of the finest examples in Wales. The tidal mill is the only restored example of its kind in the principality boasting all of the original machinery.
• Carew Control Tower. Less than a mile from Carew Castle, at Carew Cheriton, is a recreated RAF control tower. The airfield here saw active service in the Second World War.
• Carreg Samson (near Abercastle). A coastal Neolithic cromlech in a setting which enjoys tremendous panoramic views over land and sea.
• Castell Henllys Iron Age fort. Another historic National Park Authority attraction, this is set in a stunning hilltop location between Newport and Cardigan in the north of the county. The authentic roundhouses have been recreated exactly where they originally stood more than 2,000 years ago after archaeologists uncovered the old foundations. Well worth a visit, this fascinating and award-winning slice of real history is an education in itself.
• Cilgerran Castle (near Cardigan). Dating mainly from the 13th century, the castle is set most dramatically on a high bluff above a deep wooded gorge, through which flows the River Teifi. This spectacular location inspired the great landscape artist J.M.W. Turner.
• Colby Woodland Garden (near Amroth). In a secluded woodland setting, this beautiful National Trust attraction hosts one of the finest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas in Wales, and open wooded pathways make for very pleasant walks through the valley. The National Trust also owns and protects many of the most important sections of the Pembrokeshire coast, including Barafundle beach, Marloes, St David's, Porthgain and Dinas.
• Foel Drygarn. A Bronze Age hillfort in the wild Preseli Hills, which are rich with legendary tales of King Arthur and the more solid remains left by early settlers, such as Neolithic burial chambers, Bronze Age cairns, stone circles, standing stones and Iron Ageforts.
• Gors Fawr. More than 70 feet in diameter, this stone circle near Mynachlogddu in the Preseli Hills comprises 16 stones and 2 large outlying pointerstones.
• Haverfordwest Castle. Most of what remains today dates from the time of Edward I, and those parts which have gone bear testimony to Cromwell's orders of 1648 to destroy the castle following the civil wars. Castle House is now home to the town's museum. The fascinating artefacts on display include Cromwell's written instructions to demolish the castle.
• Lamphey Bishop's Palace (near Pembroke). Just 2 miles from Pembroke, on the edge of Lamphey village, the palace remains are an evocative reminder of the great power and wealth enjoyed by the medieval bishops of St David's.
• Llawhaden Castle (near Canaston Bridge and Narberth). Originally a wooden structure built in Norman times, the castle was later rebuilt by the bishops of St David's as another magnificent fortified palatial residence. Today it is a ruin, but close by are two other historic sites – a restored medieval hospice and Holgan Camp, an Iron Age fort.
• Manorbier Castle. Wonderfully located above the beach and bay, this medieval castle was constructed in the 12th century from local limestone. In summer the lawned garden is extremely relaxing, while the views from the towers merit a visit in their own right. This was the birthplace of scholar and writer Gerald of Wales, whose major works remain in print, and other writers to find inspiration here included George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf. Opposite the castle, on the slopes of the wooded vale, is the equally impressive Norman church of St James.
• Pembroke Castle. The birthplace in 1457 of Harri Tudor, destined to become King Henry VII, this is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Wales. The most striking features include its extremely thick walls – within which are endless rooms, passageways and spiralling flights of narrow stone steps – and the towering round keep, 75 feet high, with amazing views in all directions. The castle stands on a rocky peninsula between two tidal creeks, enjoying superb natural defences. It also stands guard over the town's Main Street, which has an interesting variety of shops. Another attraction is the beautiful Mill Pond Walk and the swans which decorate the water.
• Pentre Ifan. A Neolithic burial chamber with a large capstone in a very evocative setting near Newport.
• Picton Castle (between Narberth and Haverfordwest). The ancestral 12th-century home of the Philipps family, direct descendants of its builder, Sir John Wogan. In summer months there are guided tours of the castle, which retains much of its original character, and other attractions include the art gallery, 40 acres of gardens, restaurant and special events.
• St David's Bishop's Palace. The impressive ruins of this once-magnificent 14th-century palace stand opposite the cathedral in Cathedral Close.
• St David's Cathedral. The most religious monument in Wales, dedicated to the principality's patron saint and built on a secluded site chosen for the original 6th-century church. Much of the cathedral as it stands today dates from the late 12th century and has been extended and altered over the centuries, and the cloisters have been restored only recently. Food is served in the refectory and there is a Cloister Gallery.
• St Govan's Chapel. This tiny and remarkable building is hidden in a fissure in the cliffs of St Govan's Head, close to the car park. It nestles at the bottom of narrow stone steps and occupies the site of a 5th-century hermit's cell, though the age of the chapel is unknown.
• Tenby Castle and town walls. Tenby is a small medieval walled town, distinctive for its five arches, and although very little remains of the castle itself (part of William de Valence's defensive plan for the town), the views over Carmarthen Bay from Castle Hill are superb. Tenby Museum & Art Gallery is also located here.
• Tudor Merchant's House (Tenby). This 15th- century National Trust property is the town's oldest furnished residence, authentically recreating the style in which a successful merchant of the Tudor age would have lived. It is virtually on the doorstep of the FBM Holidays headquarters.
• Upton Castle Grounds & Gardens (near Cosheston). Managed and maintained by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, these gardens are home to more than 250 species of trees and shrubs. They occupy a secluded wooded valley which runs down to a tributary of the Carew River.
Events
All year round, Pembrokeshire is a very eventful holiday or short-break destination. From many events and family activities organised by the National Park Authority (including guided walks, expeditions, treasure hunts, beach bonanzas and loads more fun) to regular crowd-pullers such as Tenby Arts Festival, Blues Festival, Fishguard International Music Festival, food fairs and the Pembrokeshire County Show, there's always something to do and somewhere to go for interest and entertainment.
For up-to-date information see events 2008.
Fun parks & other attractions
Many of these are located in south Pembrokeshire, and if you're staying in the Tenby and Saundersfoot area during the main school holidays you can take advantage of the very convenient Day Tripper bus service. This picks up and drops off at numerous locations between Manorbier and Saundersfoot and delivers you to the entrance of many of the major parks and attractions listed here (from A-Z).
• CC2000 (Canaston Bridge). Very close to Oakwood, there are two main challenges and attractions here – ten-pin bowling and the Crystal Maze, which is based on the popular TV series.
• Clerkenhill Adventure Farm (near Haverfordwest). Farm animals, adventure play area, woodland fun, frizbee golf and great Pembrokeshire hospitality.
• Dinosaur Park (Gumfreston, near Tenby). Prehistoric animals (29 of them at the last count!) plus other family fun and attractions. The park is within very easy driving distance of Heatherton, Manor House and Tenby.
• Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo (Begelly, near Kilgetty). Farm and zoo animals, indoor and outdoor adventure, indoor fun fair and tractor rides are all part of the fun at this very popular family park.
• Heatherton (near St Florence and Tenby): fun, sports and activities for all ages, from 18-hole pitch n putt and laser clay pigeon shoot to indoor adventure play, karting, paintball, horseriding and more. Heatherton and Manor House face each other on opposite sides of the Tenby-Carew road just outside the pretty village of St Florence.
• Llys-y-Fran Country Park (Preseli Hills, north of Narberth). Excellent for walking,, cycling and fishing, with a 7-mile path around the reservoir.
• Oakwood (Canaston Bridge, near Narberth): white- knuckle rides and great fun for all ages in the only theme park in Wales. From thrilling rollercoasters(one with a vertical drop!) to the Techniquest inter-active science centre, this is an unmissable day out.
• Silent World Aquarium (Tenby). A fascinating insight into sea life.
Ireland by ferry
While you're in west Wales you can take the opportunity to go a little further west still and cross the Irish Sea from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare in County Wexford. Travel with either Irish Ferries (from Pembroke Dock) or Stena Line (Fishguard). In the main holiday season it's advisable to book in advance.
Walking & the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Why do so many people get in their cars and head for Pembrokeshire? Because they much prefer getting around on foot! The highlight for many walkers is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path – all 186 miles of it, from Amroth in the south to Poppit Sands in the north. One of only 3 National Trails in Wales, it was created in 1970 and embrace some of the UK's most impressive and dramatic coastline. You can conquer the whole route either in one breathtaking go (it takes about 14 days!) or in manageable chunks – a task made much easier since the introduction of the popular walkers' bus service, which will take you back to where you started. There are many other superb walks to explore – hills, countryside, woodlands, towns, villages and long beaches – but for sheer drama and the invigorating power of sea breezes, fresh air and big skies, you simply can't beat the never-ending spectacle of the coast path's wide panoramas, changing horizons and often amazing geology. Some of the rocks date back 600 million years, and constant pounding by the sea combined with other unstoppable forces of nature has sculpted features such as the Green Bridge of Wales (a spectacular natural arch near Castlemartin), Hunstman's Leap (a deep chasm – the subject of local legend – near St Govan's Head), Newgale pebble bank (thrown up in a ferocious storm in 1859), the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi (a flooded slate quarry) and the Witches' Cauldron at Ceibwr (contorted rock strata).
Wildlife & the environment
Pembrokeshire's wonderful natural environment is the ideal place in which to indulge yourself in all kinds of leisure pursuits and interests, from birdwatching and sailing to painting and photography. And for so many visitors and residents, the draw of the sea – and the astonishing variety of wildlife it supports – is irresistible. This is why there are now so many opportunities to enjoy adventures such as watching whales, dolphins, porpoises, sharks, puffins and other seabirds and marine life close up. Several specialist companies operate jet boats, fast RIBs and other modern and traditional vessels to whisk you off on a seaborne safari to experience the wonders of marine habitats. Take your seat for an unforgettable guided tour of the coastline, exploring sea caves and towering cliffs, or head for any of Pembrokeshire's offshore islands – Caldey, Grassholm, Ramsey, Skokholm or Skomer. Marine wildlife can also often be seen from the safety of the land – if you know where to look. Caldey Island and the cliffs of south Pembrokeshire are good vantage points to spot porpoises and common dolphins. In recent years, huge super-pods of hundreds or even thousands of common dolphins have been seen, and because the waters here are so rich in wildlife they also attract magnificent creatures in the shape of Risso's dolphins and a variety of whales – humpback, fin, minke and those ultimate predators, killer whales. Another fact which may astonish you is that a third of the world's population of grey seals live around the Pembrokeshire coast.
Other wildlife and animal attractions in Pembrokeshire include Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, and the Welsh Wildlife Centre (situated at the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, Cilgerran, near Cardigan) and events organised by the National Park Authority – rockpool safaris, bat hunts, seal walks and watching, crab catching and similar children's and family activities.
Golf; Coasteering; Windsurfing; Kite Surfing; Sailing; Painting; Walking; Kayaking; White Water Rafting; Fishing; Diving; Cycling; Mountain Biking; Quad Biking; Bird Watching; Helicopter Rides; Wildlife Expeditions; Surfing; Horse Riding; Paragliding; Bowling; Castle exploring; Climbing; Bowls; Archery; Roller Coasters.
