Clare Willcocks
04 January 2021
Pembrokeshire is an exciting destination all year round, no matter what the weather. If the heavens open and the rain sets in, there are plenty of indoor attractions and places to eat in Pembrokeshire to keep you busy every day.
Take a look at our suggestions below and get set for a fun-filled holiday exploring these fantastic things to do in Pembrokeshire when it’s raining. Take a look at our full things to do in Pembrokeshire guide for even more holiday inspiration.
And if you're looking for somewhere to stay then browse our great cottages.
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๐ฆ Attractions
๐ง Get active
๐ณ Play centres
๐ผ๏ธ Museums
๐ฐ Castles
๐จ๏ธ Galleries
๐๏ธ Potteries
๐ Relaxation
๐ญ Live performances
Indoor attractions in Pembrokeshire
Fantastic days out whatever the weather.
Folly Farm
Nestled away to the North of Tenby and Saundersfoot and to the West of Amroth in Begelly, Pembrokeshire, lies Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, the perfect attraction for rainy days in Pembrokeshire with the family.
From lions and giraffes to penguins and pigs, there’s a whole menagerie of animals to discover! If you’re looking for wet weather activities in Pembrokeshire to escape the rain, or even if you’re not, it’s a fabulous family attraction!
Be sure to experience Europe’s largest undercover vintage-style funfair which includes all the old favourite rides such as dodgems and a ghost train. There are many opportunities to win prizes and souvenirs and something to suit all ages.
The Jolly Barn and Farm is completely undercover so perfect for wet weather activities with all the family. In the Jolly Barn, you will also find ‘Cwtch Corner’ (Cwtch is Welsh for cuddle!) where you can get hands-on with all of your furry friends!
A must-visit for families coming to Pembrokeshire on a self-catering family holiday.
Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities near Tenby in Pembrokeshire is open all year round and is one of our favourite ‘All-Weather Attractions’ with many activities undercover for all ages. Some of the many activities are listed below. Admission to the theme park is free so you only pay for the activities you want to do.
The attraction is absolutely packed with activities and rides to suit all ages. Wet weather fun includes Indiana’s Soft Play, escape rooms, Pembrokeshire Raceway (1/24 scale slot car track), archery, shooting and a driving range. It’s a good bet for a day when the weather can’t make up its mind, as there’s plenty to keep you entertained outside too including jumping pillows, slides, a maze and even a dog agility course for the four-legged member of your family!
The Dinosaur Park Tenby
Get lost within a prehistoric-themed landscape at The Dinosaur Park Tenby. Discover all the dinosaurs and sounds on the Dinosaur Trail as you creep over swamps and bound across boardwalks. From the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the baby Triceratops, you’ll be sure to find your favourite prehistoric reptile here!
Should the weather take a turn, then head for the indoor playground, home to a variety of activities and soft play areas for toddlers and separate play areas for older children. There are oodles of slides, ball pits, tubes and walkways to keep little ones entertained for hours while you sit back with a coffee.
Learn all about the world of the dinosaurs in the Information Centre, a fun interactive educational zone for little ones.
A great day out for families on holiday whatever the weather; you can spend the whole day soaking up the fun-filled atmosphere here!
Play centres in Pembrokeshire
Bowl with family and friends or take the kids to soft play come rain or shine.
Phoenix Bowl
Get together and enjoy a game of ten-pin bowling no matter what the weather. Phoenix Bowl in Milford Haven offers lots of excitement and challenges for you competitive types!
Pirate Pete’s indoor adventure play area will keep little ones entertained and you can also enjoy refreshments at the Galley Diner. There’s a pool table for big kids too!
Merlins Magic Indoor Play Centre
Merlins Magic Indoor Play Centre in Haverfordwest will help children to use up any excess energy and make new friends. There are under 4’s and over 4’s soft play areas with fun features such as ball pools, rope bridges, spinning poles and slides to keep them busy while you enjoy a bit of peace and quiet with a drink or bite to eat. The giant Lego and a Mr Potato Head activity table are sure to be a hit with creative little people!
Get active in Pembrokeshire
Burn off excess energy and make the most of the fun, all-weather activities you can do in Pembrokeshire.
Hangar 5 Trampoline Park
Come rain or shine in Pembrokeshire, Hangar 5 in Haverfordwest has an array of activities to keep families amused. Bounce away at the trampoline park, take a break in the café or set the little ones free in the soft play area. There’s fun for all the family at Hangar 5.
Go climbing
Climbing is a great family activity that will tire your little ones out. Head over to The Climbing Wall at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre or The Overhang in Carmarthen to have ago. Both facilities have suitably qualified instructors on hand for guidance to help you get the most out of the experience.
Go-karting
Go-karting will enable those with a competitive spirit to have fun in a safe environment. All the equipment you’ll need is provided and you can arrive and drive, have a go at a competition (you’ll need to book ahead) or book your children into the little racers programme. For the ideal rainy day activity in Pembrokeshire, you can go indoor karting at West Wales Karting, or if getting wet isn’t a concern, you can hit the outdoor circuit at Carew Carting.
Wrap up at the beach
As the UK’s only coastal national park, there are plenty of award-winning beaches in Pembrokeshire to explore. Beautiful come rain or shine, sometimes the best thing to do is don the waterproofs and enjoy a refreshing stroll on these magnificent beaches. If you don’t mind getting soaked right through, surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, kayaking and more can all be enjoyed in these waters, making for a fun family bonding session with older children.
Coasteering
Dive in, it’s raining anyway! Explore the coast from a different angle for an adventure to remember! Pembrokeshire is the home of this adventurous activity so splash about in this rock-hopping, cliff jumping, exhilarating activity! Celtic Quest Coasteering is one of several centres offering this adrenaline-fuelled activity.
Museums in Pembrokeshire
Discover Pembrokeshire’s rich coastal history at one of its many museums.
St. Davids Cathedral
Visit the UK’s smallest city! The magnificent cathedral in St Davids is a must for a rainy day with its fantastic architecture, beautiful interior, chapels and cloisters. The Refectory serves refreshments with lovely views over the Cathedral and gardens.
Built by St David himself, the patron saint of Wales, St Davids Cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 800 years and remains a site of peace and awe. Don’t miss the stunning organ standing on the elaborate Gothic quire screen which is decorated with tiny human heads.
Milford Haven Heritage Maritime Museum
From fishing and whaling to oil and gas, this waterway has a lot of history! Delve in and discover it for yourself at the Milford Haven Heritage and Maritime Museum which is housed inside the Old Custom House, one of the oldest buildings in Milford Haven.
The Last Invasion Tapestry Gallery, Fishguard
Based in Fishguard Library, The Last Invasion Tapestry, sewn by around 80 talented ladies, is a beautifully embroidered, 100-foot-long tapestry which details the last invasion of mainland Britain in 1797. Commissioned in 1997, it took four years to complete and is now on permanent display in a purpose-built gallery next to the Library in Fishguard Town Hall. It is the ideal place to duck into during a shower for a dose of local history.
Narberth Museum
Learn all about this pretty market town’s history in the Narberth Museum. The home of the museum was originally the Bonded Stores, where valuable kegs of duty-free whisky, brandy and rum were once stored, accessible only when the two key holders came together to open the double locks. Nowadays, the building contains hands-on interactive exhibitions, telling the story of the town and its people. A great wet weather attraction in Pembrokeshire, it also has a shop, coffee shop and research room. There's also a fantastic array of Narberth restaurants close by.
Tenby Museum
Discover the rich history of this medieval walled seaside town and its connections with pirates in Tenby Museum. There’s a kid’s corner and hands-on display to help little ones learn, and lots of fascinating tales of everything from pigs roaming the streets to Henry Tudor’s escape from the town.
There are also two art galleries to browse featuring work by artists such as Gwen and Augustus John. One of the galleries houses a permanent collection, the other, temporary exhibitions.
Castles in Pembrokeshire
Explore some of Pembrokeshire’s magical fortresses. There are lots to choose from, so we have listed some of our favourites.
Pembroke Castle
The birthplace of Henry VII, Pembroke Castle was first built in 1093 out of timber and was reconstructed out of stone in 1189. It is impressive and fantastically preserved. While the history is undeniably impressive, the views from the top are breathtaking and highlight how the position of the castle helped it defend against invaders.
Beneath the castle lies Wogan’s Cavern, a large cave that has had many uses throughout history, including being used as a shelter and a possible boathouse.
There are often workshops held at the castle, so check out the events section on the website.
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill is a stunning example of a Pembrokeshire fortress. Built right on the banks of the Carew River, the site has a settlement history that dates back to the Iron Age.
Sir Rhys ap Thomas added unusual Bath stone windows between 1449 and 1525, which also make it worth a visit. The Tidal Mill further around the millpond is the only one to be restored in Wales and is one of just five in the UK.
There are family-friendly interactive displays to show how it worked as well as an audio commentary. If you come prepared with crabbing lines, along the causeway is a great spot to go crabbing! There are lots of events at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill all year round, so be sure to check the website.
Galleries in Pembrokeshire
Browse history, culture, arts and legends.
The Riverside Gallery
The Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest is based in the modern library building, complete with a café and pretty riverside views. The new gallery showcases work by some of the nation’s artists in changing exhibitions, as well as the permanent exhibition The story of Pembrokeshire.
The Waterfront Gallery
The Waterfront Gallery, Milford Haven, showcases the best contemporary artists and craft workers in South Wales, many of whom are inspired by this beautiful county. Over 3,000 square feet of exhibition space is packed with fine art, mixed media, photography, textiles, sculpture, jewellery and ceramics, among other fine crafts.
Oriel Y Parc Landscape Gallery & Visitor Centre
Art, a café and a visitor centre, what’s not to love? It really is an artist’s paradise, so take your time to admire the works of fantastic local artists based in beautiful St Davids, Pembrokeshire.
Expect to see paintings, prints and etchings as well as ceramics, jewellery, glass and sculpture.
Potteries in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire plays host to a range of pottery cafés where you can enjoy a delicious meal and paint your own pottery!
The Creative Café
The Creative Café has a shop in Narberth, Haverfordwest and St Davids, so no matter where you’re staying you won’t miss out on creating your very own masterpiece.
Periwinkle Pottery in pretty seaside Saundersfoot has a fantastic studio where you can choose from a large selection of ceramics and paint away the afternoon in the studio or take your model away and create your own masterpiece at home! You'll be able to order delicious food and drink from the nearby Periwinkle bistro and tearoom which will be brought over to you while you create your studio masterpieces.
Alternatively, browse some of the fantastic works of some local pottery studios:
Blackbird Ceramics, Saundersfoot
Inspired by the beautiful scenery and coast of Pembrokeshire, you’ll be amazed by the colours and textures on show at Blackbird Ceramics. These beautiful pieces are truly special and unique.
Relaxation in Pembrokeshire
Take some time to relax and refresh.
Chill out at a spa
There are a number of spas around the county so you won’t have to drive too far to reach one. St Brides Spa in Saundersfoot, The Ivybridge Spa in Goodwick and Scolton Manor Spa near Haverfordwest are all perfect places to while away a grey day. Not only do they offer sensational treatments, but they also have other facilities to help you relax such as saunas, steam rooms, pools and dining areas.
Take a long lunch
Relax in one of our many fantastic places to eat. From fine dining to traditional country pubs, Pembrokeshire has it all and caters for every taste. The perfect spot to enjoy a cosy long lunch to revive and refresh.
Alternatively, you’re sure to learn something new if you visit Bluestone Brewing Company near Newport, Pembrokeshire. Although there are no tours, in the on-site taproom and shop you can ask questions, sample some beer and learn about the traditions and methods used to make the ale. For another brewery experience, head to Harbwr Brewery in Tenby for a tour and ale sampling, before settling down in the Harbwr Taproom to enjoy some of the beers you’ve witnessed being made. Check out our guides for the best places to eat in Tenby and restaurants in St Davids for more foodie inspiration.
Live performances in Pembrokeshire
There’s nothing quite like live entertainment and we're sure you'll be wowed at these creative venues.
Queens Hall
The Queens Hall in Narberth is a charity venue that hosts a variety of events from film screenings, comedy nights and music gigs.
Torch Theatre
The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven hosts plays, gigs, live broadcasts, speeches and film showings. There is also a café offering drinks and tasty meals along with a bar with fantastic views. A gallery hosts regular exhibitions, and if you visit in the evening lookout for the colourful lights illuminating the building and town!
Stay with us in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is wonderful, whatever the weather, so book one of our cosy cottages now and start planning your next adventure. Choose from luxury lodges, hot tub hideaways and cosy winter cottages. Take a look at our guide to things to do in West Wales for even more holiday inspiration.
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.