Kate A
05 January 2021
From foraging to wildlife watching, conquering castles to water sports, one thing is for sure, there are plenty of activities in West Wales to be enjoyed by all. With the UK’s only coastal national park, West Wales is a destination that has something to offer every interest and all energy levels.
You can try your hand at something new like adrenaline-fuelled coasteering in Pembrokeshire or do something familiar in a new setting like a relaxing dog walk on Castle Beach in beautiful Tenby, one of the UK’s favourite stretches of sand. Take a look at our full guide to things to do in West Wales for even more holiday inspiration.
Whether you visit as a family, bring your friends, or take a break as a couple, we are sure you will leave with many great holiday memories and a desire to come back for more!
Read on to discover some of the best activities in West Wales or if you’d like to jump straight into our collection of holiday cottages in West Wales, just hit the button below.
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Wildlife experiences
Comprising of unspoilt coast, winding waterways and rolling countryside, West Wales’ geography makes it a perfect habitat for a multitude of wildlife, from playful dolphins to elusive red squirrels.
A popular stop-off and breeding location for migratory birds, during spring and summer, the Llanelli Wetland Centre, RSPB Cwm Clydach, the Welsh Wildlife Centre and RSPB Ynys-hir are teeming with beautiful, feathered visitors.
Pembrokeshire is also famed for its population of puffins and Manx shearwaters who nest on the islands just off the coast such as Skomer and Skokholm, both of which can be reached via wildlife watching boat trips. Take a look at our range of Pembrokeshire holiday cottages and experience this amazing West Wales activity.
The seas surrounding West Wales are also favourable for bottlenose dolphins, porpoise and Atlantic grey seals. Adventure holidays in Wales are a wonderful opportunity to get up close to these charismatic creatures, whether out on one a lovely Pembrokeshire walk, enjoying a guided boat trip or hiring a canoe or kayak. Some of the top spots for catching a glimpse include the Marloes Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and Ramsey Island.
Take a look at our range of Cardigan Bay cottages for your chance to spot the largest pod of dolphins in the UK!
Family activities in West Wales
We have lost track of how many generations tell us Pembrokeshire is their firm favourite summer holiday destination. We also know that many choose to head to Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion for their West Wales activity breaks too and there is a very good reason for this. These coastal counties create amazing childhood memories as there is so much to see and do, even on a rainy day. There is also plenty of space for everyone to have, well… a bit of space!
For a family day out in West Wales, whatever the weather, then a visit to Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo is a must with over 90 different species of animals from lions, rhinos and giraffes to penguins, sloths and cuddly farm animals in the Jolly Barn petting zoo.
More fun can be found at The Dinosaur Park Tenby, Pembroke Castle, West Wales Karting, Blue Lagoon Water Park, Teifi Valley Railway and Oakwood Theme Park.
Take a look at our guide to the most beautiful Pembrokeshire castles for even more inspiration.
Romantic couples’ activities in West Wales
West Wales is the charming, unspoiled destination of choice for many couples in the UK. Experience life in the slow lane together and spend your days exploring fairy-tale castles, cwtched up in front of a pub fire or ambling along pretty harbours. It is a place to fall in love at any time of the year with beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets and cosy countryside retreats.
Spend a blissful evening out stargazing, snuggled up with your loved one; Pembrokeshire is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site with plenty of peaceful spots to spend time marvelling at the skies. Or why not take in the turquoise waters which lap the shores of West Wales from a boat? You’ll be able to get a special perspective of the fantastic rock formations which create this stunning coastline and see some amazing wildlife too. And if you and your other half love to go on adventures together, you can try paddleboarding with Good Trails, coasteering with TYF Adventure, horse riding on the beach with Nolton Stables or hire mountain bikes from Mike’s Bikes in Haverfordwest.
Sporting activities in West Wales
There are a host of sporting events held in West Wales each year which attract supporters and competitors in droves. IRONMAN Wales is a world-renowned race which sees Tenby come alive to an exhilarating 2.4-mile swim at North Beach followed by an enduring 112-mile cycle ride through the scenic Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and then a tough 26.2-mile marathon through the town. Another popular event is the Long Course Weekend, another exciting multisport festival, as well as the TenFoot Swim - a 5km sea swimming course from Tenby’s North Beach to Saundersfoot’s main beach.
And when you’re not cheering on your favourite athletes, there’s a whole range of energetic pursuits on offer to keep you busy during activity holidays in West Wales. Why not try a leisurely game of golf at one of our excellent golf courses or enjoy a relaxing afternoon of fishing, be it sea fishing, game fishing or coarse and still water fishing?
Adventure weekend activities in West Wales
Escape for the weekend with an action-packed short break in West Wales. From high ropes courses at Heatherton World of Activities to laser combat at Battlefield Live and rock-climbing Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastline, there’s plenty to cram in on an activity weekend in Wales. Bring your friends and get competitive at Cenarth Adventure Centre and Llandysul Paddlers or don your walking boots to explore the endless trails through countryside and coast.
Even more energy to burn? Make the most of the rugged coastline and go coasteering, a full-on adrenaline-pumping activity which originated in Pembrokeshire, or have a go at more sedate water sports activities such as paddleboarding. Take a look at our cottages for short breaks in Pembrokeshire for somewhere to relax after your coastal adventures.
Go surfing in the Gower for some waves and views to remember! Our Gower surf guide will take you through the best places to surf, the surf schools and surf hire in the Gower. Our range of Gower cottages will act as the perfect coastal base for your splashing adventures.
Alternatively, be prepared to get muddy along the world-class mountain bike routes in Carmarthenshire on a cycling holiday in West Wales: the choice is yours.
Relax and unwind
If you’re after a mix of adventure and relaxation then head to one of the many fabulous spas in West Wales which offer sensational treatments and other indulgent facilities such as saunas, steam rooms and pools. The St Brides Spa in Saundersfoot, The Ivybridge Spa in Goodwick and Scolton Country Spa near Haverfordwest are all idyllic places to unwind.
And after all those thrilling West Wales activities, retreat to one of our cosy cottages, lodges or apartments and refuel ready for life’s next adventure! Our holiday cottages in West Wales ensure a relaxing staycation where you can reconnect, rewind and feel rejuvenated in no time after making the most of all the local sights and attractions. Just click the button below to browse our full collection of self-catering accommodation in West Wales.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.