2014 guide Index 2– 3
Introduction by Paul Gogarty
4– 5
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
6– 7
Britain’s Best Beaches
8– 9
Wide Open Spaces
10 – 11
Inspirational Landscape
12 – 13
Wildlife Islands
14 – 15
Defence of the Realm
16 – 17
Five Thousand Years in the Making
18 – 19
New for 2014
20 – 21
Take a Hike
22 – 23
Enjoy the Ride
24 – 25
Top 10 Family Attractions
26 – 27
Adrenaline Cocktails
28 – 29
Food, Festivals & Events
30 – 31
Pembrokeshire Map
32
Useful Contacts
www.facebook.com/VisitPembrokeshire twitter.com/VisitPembs www.flickr.com/photos/visitpembrokeshire www.youtube.com/user/VisitPembrokeshire l Newport
2
I still haven't discovered anywhere that can quite
My Pembrokeshire
eclipse the Pembrokeshire coast. Read more....
by Paul Gogarty
ver the past two decades I have been fortunate enough to globetrot the world writing travel features for national newspapers and a host of magazines. For three years, whilst Jill Dando was at the helm, I also regularly reported for BBC 1's Holiday programme in exotic destinations. A pretty lucky boy then as far as earning a living goes, I hear you say, and you'd be absolutely right. And so why is it that I still think my very first job as a 16-year old deckhand ferrying holidaymakers from Tenby across to Caldey Island was the best I ever had? And why is it that having visited some of the world's most fabled coastlines -
Paul Gogarty Paul is a renowned travel journalist for many of the national newspapers. He’s a journalist, television presenter and award-winning author of ‘The Water Road’ and ‘The Coast Road’.
l Tenby Harbour
3
l Marloes
Britain’s Coastal National Park
T
he Pembrokeshire Coast National Park takes in about a third of the county including the entire coastal strip, the upper reaches of the Daugleddau (two swords) Estuary and The Preseli’s.
While several of Britain’s national parks have little bits of coastline, The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is almost entirely coastal, underlying just how spectacular and important the coastline is. The National Trust play a big part as well. They own significant stretches of Pembrokeshire’s coast.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk
l Caerfai
4
Pembrokeshire Coast Path 186 miles from Amroth to St Dogmaels is a remarkably long distance when you consider that Pembrokeshire is only 25 miles from north to south!
W
hat makes the Pembrokeshire Coast Path so interesting is the variety of landscapes you pass through on your way, from steep limestone cliffs to undulating red sandstone bays, craggy volcanic headlands and flooded glacial valleys. Most of the route is on the cliff top; at times it drops down to the beach or a road and occasionally passes through towns and villages. It also now links with the Wales Coastal Path, the world’s first national coast perimeter walk. Walking the whole of the coast path can be a challenge but you can choose a section that suits your ability for a day or two’s hike and there are also plenty of smaller circular routes. The year round Coastal Bus Services are specially designed for walkers; take the bus a few miles down the coast and then walk back at your own pace.
More Information www.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/walking/ Coastal Bus Services www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus Wales Coast Path www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
Top Tips Hop on the Coastal Bus and walk back. There are no timetable worries that way. If the Coastal Bus normally goes past your accommodation, hail it. It’ll stop if it’s safe to do so. Use the buses to link several Coast Path stages from the same base and avoid having to transfer luggage.
Let the Train take the Strain There are four train stations near the Coast Path: Fishguard to Milford Haven is about 93 miles and has four Youth Hostels at reasonable intervals. Pembroke to Tenby is about 47 miles with convenient camp sites for a three day trek. Fishguard now has seven trains a day making it ideal for day trips. Walk to Strumble Head or Pwllgwaelod (both seven miles).
5
l Broadhaven South
Britain’s Best Beaches
W
ith over 50 beaches to choose from,
there’s plenty of scope for finding your perfect beach. Our 10 Blue Flag beaches are great for families as they have RNLI lifeguards and plenty of facilities like toilets, equipment hire and café s. Our 13 Green Flag beaches have the same good water quality but they’re totally undeveloped and may not have any facilities (or even any signs of habitation) in sight. Seaside Award beaches are a mixture of both.
Blue Flag Beaches Whitesands near St Davids
l South Beach Tenby
Newgale and Broad Haven in St Brides Bay Dale Lydstep Haven Tenby South and North Beaches Saundersfoot Coppet Hall Amroth
l Poppit Sands
6
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LOWER FISHGUARD GOODWICK SANDS ABERBACH (ST. NICHOLAS) ABERMAWR ABERCASTLE ABERFELIN/TREFIN PORTHGAIN TRAETHLLYFN ABEREIDDY PORTHMELGEN WHITESANDS PORTHSELAU PORTHCLAIS CAERFAI SOLVA NEWGALE NOLTON HAVEN DRUIDSTON
Look out for these flags, they mark bathing areas patrolled by life guards.
BROAD HAVEN LITTLE HAVEN ST. BRIDES HAVEN MARTINS HAVEN MARLOES SANDS WEST DALE DALE
Two black & white flags mark non swimming areas zoned mainly for surfing, windsurfing or a motorised craft beach access point.
LINDSWAY BAY SANDY HAVEN GELLISWICK LLANSTADWELL NEYLAND BURTON LLANGWM/BLACKTAR LAWRENNY EAST LLANION
Take note of this flag, it indicates dangerous conditions, DO NOT GO SWIMMING when it’s flying.
All awards shown have been applied for the 2014 season WATER QUALITY: E=E X C E L L E N T G=G O O D NT = N O T T E S T E D Lifeguards & Beach attendants on duty from the last week in June to the first weekend in September 10am to 6pm daily Please take note of the flags (ask the lifeguards if you’re in doubt) and ensure that everyone has a happy and safe - day at the beach!
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LI G TY RE E BL N C UE O SE FL AST AS AG A W TO IDE BE A IL AW AC RD E PH TS AR H ( O (D D 201 LI NE/ ISA BEA 4) FE O B G R L CH FI UA EM ED) RS R T D ER CO AI /BE GE AC NC AS D H Y C TA AT PH AR L TE O B SL PAR US N NE IP DA W K SER N VI M AY T O CE O OR H RIN L AR G A UN BA BOU CH TH R IN I SE N G G A A S U NG B A LI C Q U NG AN A SU O E RF ING SE ING /K AY A AK R SA OW IN IL G IN IN W G G IN D W S AT UR C ER F AF SK E I PO W BE ERB W OA A DO RE T G CUR PO RE S RE N NT TR IC T S NO O O T I O N DO N G FO UL IN G
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Water Quality gradings: EXCELLENT = complies with the E.C. Excellent standard. GOOD = complies with the sufficent standard. Beaches that are not tested are generally smaller, adjacent to tested beaches or in isolated locations.
7
Wide O
ur Green Flag beaches are where you’ll find
some of our most dramatic landscapes. They
l Caldey Boats
are every bit as good as our Blue Flag
beaches in terms of water quality but don’t have much to spoil a great view either.
One of the joys of exploring Pembrokeshire is discovering the little coves and bays that are only accessible from the Coast Path. On a spring or autumn day, you might even have it to yourself. There are a few well-hidden secret beaches that you’ll have to find yourself but here’s a selection of our favourite finds. Some of these beaches will disappear at high tide so make sure you get your timing right and don’t get cut off by the tide and don’t forget to pack your cozie!
Top 5 Green Flag Beaches for families Manorbier Freshwater East l Abermawr
Cwm-yr-Eglwys Caerfai near St Davids Broad Haven South near Bosherston
8
open spaces l Abereiddy
l Freshwater West
l Freshwater West
Top 5 Photogenic Green Flag Beaches
5 Hidden Gems
Marloes Sands
Watwick Bay on St Anne’s Head
Penally
Porthlysgi Bay onSt Davids Peninsula
Druidston
Traeth Llyfn near Abereiddi
Priory Beach on Caldey Island
Aber Mawr near Mathry
Barafundle Bay
Caverns Beach on Lydstep Head
More Information Pembrokeshire Beaches www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ explore-pembrokeshire/beaches/ Where to launch a boat www.boatlaunch.co.uk
9
T
he variety of landscapes in Pembrokeshire is remarkable and it’s all down to the underlying geology. We have some of the youngest and the oldest rocks in the world plus almost everything in between and it’s all exposed on the coast.
Inspirational landscapes Limestone and Sandstone shapes much of the softer landscapes of south Pembrokeshire while tougher Pre-Cambrian rocks have created the jagged and more rugged north Pembrokeshire coast. In between is the huge sweep of St Brides Bay formed by a series of softer rocks hemmed in by the tougher rocks of the Marloes and St Davids peninsulas. Another distinctive feature, The Daugleddau Estuary, is a vast flooded valley system or ‘Ria’, which was created at the end of the last ice age.
Top 5 Natural wonders The Green Bridge of Wales, a rock arch near Castlemartin The Preseli Mountains, source of the Stonehenge ‘bluestones’. Huntsman’s Leap, a wave-cut chasm, west of St Govan’s Chapel Church Doors caves nr Lydstep Haven Contorted cliffs at Ceibwr Bay
5 man-made wonders Bosherston Lily Ponds Llys y Fran reservoir & Country Park Pentre Ifan burial chamber near Newport The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi St Govan’s Chapel
10
l Lydstep Haven
l Llys y Fran
l Bosherston Lily Ponds
l St Govan’s Head
11
A Haven for P
embrokeshire is a great place to visit for a chance of encountering wild dolphins, whales and porpoises.
Cardigan Bay on Pembrokeshire’s northern shore has a resident population of bottlenose dolphins and porpoises. They are frequently seen on the north coast from April to October. During the summer huge ‘super-pods’ with hundreds of common dolphins have been seen in recent years. The wildlife rich waters also attract plankton-feeding basking sharks; Risso’s dolphins; humpback, fin, minke and an occasional orca.
Grey seals are another important marine species, with a third of the world’s population living around the Pembrokeshire coast. You’ll see them bobbing about in sheltered, inaccessible coves. The best time to see them is between September and November when they give birth to pups on isolated beaches. Our five islands of Skomer, Skokholm, Grassholm, Ramsey and Caldey have huge populations of nesting Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills and Manx Shearwaters during the spring and summer.
When to visit To see Puffins, come in May and June. July and August is best to experience Shearwaters returning to their burrows under the cover of darkness. Gannets are in residence on Grassholm until the end of August. Huge numbers of migrating seabirds travel along the coast in September and October
l Puffins, Skomer Island
12
Wildlife l Dolphins, Cardigan Bay
l Grey Seal l Martin’s Haven
Further Information Wildlife section on Visit Pembrokeshire www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explorepembrokeshire/wildlife-nature/ Sea Trust www.seatrust.org.uk Skomer & Skokholm islands www.welshwildlife.org Bird Spotters’ blog www.pembsbirds.blogspot.com RSPB www.rspb.org.uk
13
Defence of the Realm
O
ur four big castles at Pembroke, Picton, Carew and Manorbier plus the remnants of Tenby Castle are all Norman. There is also a necklace of smaller castles between Amroth and Roch called the Landsker Line, put in place as a buffer zone between the Normans and Welsh Lords in north Pembrokeshire. The castles at Nevern, Cardigan and Cilgerran were to change hands between these two sides many times. Predating all of these is Castell Henllys Iron Age Hill Fort. The round houses have been rebuilt exactly where archaeological excavations showed they would have stood 2,000 years ago. This ‘living history’ attraction is as close to experiencing a Celtic lifestyle as it is possible to get. Dotted around the Haven Waterway are numerous more modern Napoleonic era forts. One or two can be explored via the Coast Path plus don’t forget the Carew Airfield Control Tower, carefully recreated as it would have looked in WW2.
Pembroke: Birthplace of the Tudor Dynasty Henry VII, founder of the Tudor Dynasty was born in Pembroke Castle in 1457 His mother, Margaret, was only 13 and nearly died in childbirth Henry landed an army at Mill Bay on St Anne’s Head in 1485 He defeated Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet Kings, at the battle of Bosworth Field
l Roch Castle
The Tudor dynasty he created endured until 1603
14
l Pembroke Castle
l Carew Castle
More Information Pembrokeshire’s Castles section on Visit Pembrokeshire www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ attractions-events/castles-heritage/ Pembroke Castle www.pembrokecastle.co.uk Picton Castle www.pictoncastle.co.uk
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort www.castellhenllys.com Nevern Castle www.neverncastle.com Roch Castle www.retreatsgroup.com Carew Airfield Control Tower www.carewcheritoncontroltower.co.uk
Manorbier Castle www.manorbiercastle.co.uk Carew Castle www.carewcastle.com
15
Five Thousand Years in the Making
B
etween the Neolithic and the Iron Ages, Pembrokeshire was a really busy place. Today many people regard Pembrokeshire as being on the very edge of Britain but thousands of years ago it was a busy crossroads of trade routes along the coast and between Britain and Ireland.
More Information
Pembrokeshire was one of Britain’s most important Celtic bases with strong spiritual links to Stonehenge. The link was so strong that spotted dolerite ‘bluestones’ were taken from the Preseli’s to construct the second phase of Stonehenge in 3,000BC. Hauling as many as 80 of these 3 or 4 ton megaliths nearly 200 miles would have been a Herculean task for people who were still using flint tools.
Narberth Museum http://narberthmuseum.co.uk
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort www.castellhenllys.com Haverfordwest Museum www.haverfordwest-town-museum.org.uk Tenby Museum and Art Gallery www.tenbymuseum.org.uk
St Dogmael’s Heritage Centre www.welshabbey.org.uk Pembrokeshire Historical Resource www.pembrokeshirevirtualmuseum.co.uk St Davids Cathedral www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk
l Pentre Ifan
l Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort
16
l Tenby Museum & Art Gallery
Ancient Sites Pentre Ifan an exposed burial chamber or dolmen near Newport
l St Davids Cathedral
Other dolmen include Carreg Samson near Abercastle, Carreg Coetan in Newport, Coetan Arthur on St Davids Head and Kings Quoit at Manorbier. Gors Fawr stone circle near Mynachlog Ddu and Bedd Arthur near Newport Castell Henllys reconstructed Iron Age Fort near Newport
l St Dogmael’s Heritage Centre
17
New for
2014 Coppet Hall Beach Centre Just east of Saundersfoot, the little bay of Coppet Hall is about to become Pembrokeshire’s most fashionable beach when a new beach centre opens in May. The centre will have a top-end seafood restaurant in the evening, a cafÊ during the day and an activity centre which will hire and sell a range of watersports and land-based activity equipment. Also family changing rooms with showers, public toilets and displays on the local industrial heritage. The restaurant will be run by The Grove at Narberth who are well known for their quality cuisine.
18
Scolton Manor, Walled Garden and Stables Restoration The Victorian estate near Haverfordwest is undergoing massive restoration as a result of substantial European funding and is due to open for Easter 2014. The re-created Walled Garden, along with the Manor House, stables and 60-acres of country park and woodlands portray life on a Victorian country estate and the Pembrokeshire gentry and staff who lived there. In the stables, visitors will be able to see a new Honey Kitchen and Beekeeping Centre where they can discover more about the world of busy bees and their importance in the contribution to food, farming and pollination. The displays will feature an audio-visual film of the bee hives at Scolton and live camera links from the hives will show the frenzy of activity that goes on inside a typical hive.
Cardigan Castle On Pembrokeshire’s northern border, Cardigan Castle is due to open its doors towards the end of the summer for the first time in decades. Regular tours of the castle site will help visitors discover more about its 900 years of history and visit the Grade II listed Regency gardens and walled kitchen garden, which will form a central feature.
Vintage and Antique Lawnmowers at Picton Castle The Lumsden Collection of Vintage and Antique Lawnmowers has been installed in the Old Dairy in the courtyard at Picton Castle, near Haverfordwest. According to the Old Lawnmower Club, this is probably the finest collection of such machines anywhere.
There will also be luxury accommodation, a heritage centre, a fine-dining restaurant, Eisteddfod garden, open-air concert area and event spaces.
More Information Scolton Manor
www.onehistoricgarden.co.uk/scolton-manor
Cardigan Castle
www.cardigancastle.com
Coppet Hall Beach Centre
www.pembrokeshire-coastal-tourism.co.uk /locations/coppet-hall.aspx
Picton Castle
www.pictoncastle.co.uk
19
Take a Walk on the Wild Side With 187 miles of fabulous Coast Path and many more great inland trails, going for a walk while you’re on holiday isn’t optional!
10 Suggested Walks The Golden Road along the top of the Preseli’s linking a Bronze Age hill fort, ‘bluestone’ outcrops and a stone circle. 7 miles. St Ann’s Head from Dale village to see where Henry VII landed (see page 15). 7 miles. Angle peninsula for spectacular views inside and outside the Haven. 12 miles. St Davids peninsula circuit from Whitesands Bay to Caerfai. 9 miles. Bosherston Lily Ponds to Broad Haven South beach. 3 miles. Abereiddi to Porthgain to see the Blue Lagoon. 2 miles. Solva to Newgale. A great roller-coaster of a walk with a pub and cafe at both ends. 5 miles. Pwllgwaelod to Cwm yr Eglwys on the ‘valley’ path. Suitable for pushchairs & wheelchairs. 1 mile. Wiseman’s Bridge and Saundersfoot via old tramway tunnels and Coppet Hall. 2 miles. Carew Castle Mill Pond including the Celtic Cross, Castle and Tidal Mill. 1 mile. l Preselli Hills
20
More Information Walking section on visitpembrokeshire.com www.visitpembrokeshire.com/activitiesadventure/walking/
The Preseli Circle and Greenways Walking Holidays www.greenwaysholidays.com
Walkers’ Coastal Bus Services www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and easy access guide www.pcnpa.org.uk/walking
The Pembrokeshire Trail www.walkingpembrokeshire.co.uk Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explorepembrokeshire/coast-path
Ceredigion Coast Path www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk
l Solva
l Blue Lagoon, Abereiddy
21
Enjoy l Rosebush
T
he 143-mile Pembrokeshire section of the Celtic Trail Cycle Route winds its way round the entire coast and the southern end of the Lô n Teifi, which starts in Shrewsbury and finishes in Fishguard. Both are signed and follow little used back roads. There are several off-road cycle trails: around Llys y Fran reservoir; the Dramway between Saundersfoot and Stepaside; the old Cardi Bach railway line between Cardigan and the Wildlife Centre; or The Brunel Trail between Haverfordwest and Neyland. The recently opened Pembrokeshire Trail between Amroth and Llawhaden includes some upgraded off-road sections through Canaston Woods and Templeton Airfield as well as a new underpass under the A40. It’s suitable for walking, bikes and horses. New off-road trails for mountain bikes and horses recently opened at Pantmaenog Forest near Rosebush. They climb up to 1,400ft with horses and bikes going in opposite directions to minimise conflict.
More Information www.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/cycling/ Cycle Pembrokeshire www.cyclepembrokeshire.com/ Sustrans www.sustrans.org.uk Pembrokeshire Mountain Biking www.mtbpembrokeshire.co.uk
22
l Druidston
the Ride
23
Top 10 Family Attractions 2
1
The Blue Lagoon is a brilliant
6
The Dyfed Shire Horse Farm
indoor water park with a wave machine, flume rides and a lazy river. Regular ‘After Dark’ evening sessions are great fun and all the waves, cannons and jets are on full power! Next door is The Adventure Centre, a giant countryside-themed indoor adventure play centre and indoor high ropes
24
The award-winning
Folly Farm
is more than just a farm. It’s a zoo, a vintage fun-fair, an adventure playground and it’s open all year. 50% is under cover too. Star attractions are the Lions (coming soon!) Giraffes and the Penguins.
Manor House Wildlife Park
is a zoo with a difference with walk through enclosures where you can get up close to the animals. The newest residents are Zamba and Jambo the Rhinos. Now open all year round.
between Newport and Cardigan is a working farm with lots to see and do including horse-drawn cart rides, play areas, nature walks and demonstrations in the summer school holiday.
7
Anna Ryder-Richardson’s
8
For a Monster day out, go to the
Dinosaur Park near Tenby. As well as
the Dinosaur trail, there are loads of rides and activities included in the admission price including an indoor adventure playground, digging for fossils and a giant bubble ride.
9
Pembroke Castle
is great for exploring and letting off a bit of steam: tunnels, towers, battlements, and spiral staircases all over the place. There’s even a haunted underground cavern!
3
4 Oakwood
is Wales’ only theme park with plenty of rides to keep you busy all day. A whole new area called Neverland opened in 2013 and the popular ‘After Dark’ evening opening in the school summer holiday is returning for 2014.
Become a Celtic warrior for the day at
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort
Help build a wattle and daub wall, make bread, throw a spear and have your face painted like an Iron Age warrior!
5
National Trust 50 things to do
before you’re 11¾ scrapbooks are available from the National Trust at the Stackpole Centre and at Colby Woodland Gardens. They’re full of fun ideas like snail racing and making daisy chains.
10
Heatherton Activity Theme Park
has a choice of 27 different activities to choose from including the daring Tree Tops Trail and the amazing Pirates of the Caribbean-themed adventure golf course. Buy a family book of credits and take your pick.
See the map on page 30 and 31 for more ideas
More Information Attractions section on Visit Pembrokeshire
www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ attractions-events/ Oakwood Theme Park www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo www.folly-farm.co.uk The Blue Lagoon & Adventure Centre www.bluelagoonwales.com Manor House Wildlife Park www.manorhousewildlifepark.co.uk
The Dinosaur Park www.thedinosaurpark.co.uk Heatherton Activity Theme Park www.heatherton.co.uk Dyfed Shires www.dyfed-shires.co.uk Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort www.castellhenllys.com Pembroke Castle www.pembrokecastle.co.uk 50 Things to do before you’re 11¾ www.50things.org.uk
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Top 10 adrenaline experiences
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o you need some high octane fun to make your holiday even more memorable and to give you plenty of bragging rights when you go home again? The coast in particular is one big adventure playground with plenty of options for just that.
More Information Visit Pembrokeshire Activities www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ activities-adventure/ Pembrokeshire Paragliding www.pembrokeshireparagliding.com Downhill Revolution www.zorbingwales.co.uk Tree Tops Trail www.treetopstrail.com Jet Ski Safaris www.tenbywatersports.co.uk Stackpole Sea Safari www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ stackpole-centre Climbing taster sessions www.tyf.com Kite Surfing www.bigbluekitesurfing.com Coasteering www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ activities-adventure/coasteering Horse Riding www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ activities-adventure-horse-riding Oakwood Theme Park www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
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Here are a few suggestions. Learn to pilot a paraglider with Pembrokeshire Paragliders. Tandem flights available too Launch yourself downhill inside a giant inflatable ball with Downhill Revolution in Nolton Swing through the trees on rope bridges and Tarzan swings at up to 40 feet above the ground before returning to earth on zip lines Try a jet ski safari or a banana boat ride from Tenby. Banana rides, kayak hire and speedboat hire available too. Take a National Trust Sea Safari from Stackpole Quay, either coasteering or by kayak. All equipment is provided including sit on top kayaks and wet-suits Give a rock climbing taster session a go. It’s guaranteed to give you a thrill Go extreme kiting! Learn how to launch yourself into the air from the top of a wave while attached to a surf-board! It’s not as mad as it sounds. Coasteering is a mixture of rock climbing, cliff jumping and riding the surf. Highly recommended fun! Charging full pelt through the surf on horseback is quite an experience. Oakwood Theme Park is the place for adrenaline rides but which ride is scariest? Drench is the wettest, Speed the fastest and Megaphobia is everyone’s favourite so it must be Vertigo!
There’s enough here to fill your whole holiday - and the next one too. If you get hooked on these activities, which is a real possibility, you can join the ranks of those who spend more weekends in Pembrokeshire than they do at home.
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Food Glorious Food
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ou’ll find great restaurants all over Pembrokeshire but there are ‘clusters’ where two or more quality establishments can be found together. These include Newport, St Davids, Saundersfoot, Solva, Narberth and Tenby. The Pembrokeshire Food Guide, lists quality café s, pubs and restaurants that use local produce. A great place to find all sorts of local produce is the awardwinning Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market, now held every Friday all year round. A Farmers’ Market is also held in Fishguard Town Hall every Saturday. As well as good locally produced food and locally caught shell fish there are a number of good drink producers including Cwm Deri vineyard and The Gwaun Valley Brewery, who have ‘play what you bring’ acoustic music sessions on Saturday nights. New for 2014 are Caffle brewery in Llawhaden and Seren Brewing in Rosebush. Pembrokeshire Produce Direct is a community run one-stop-shop where you can order the best local produce online before you come.
Food Festivals Pembrokeshire Fish Week is held at the end of June. The festival kicks off with a big outdoor event that takes over Milford Haven’s marina on the 28th June. www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk The Saundersfoot Food & Crafts Festival and Cawl Trail on St Davids day (1st March). Visit all the competing restaurants and vote for your favourite. If you’re not familiar with Cawl, it’s a tasty traditional Welsh broth. www.visit-saundersfoot.com Narberth Food Festival on September 27th & 28th. Winners of the Pembrokeshire Tourism best event award. Lots of good Welsh produce and some great music too. www.narberthfoodfestival.com
More Information
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Pembrokeshire Food Guide www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/foodanddrink
Cwm Deri Vineyard www.cwm-deri.co.uk
Pembrokeshire Produce Direct www.pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk
Caffle Brewery www.cafflebrewery.co.uk
Gwaun Valley Brewery www.gwaunvalleybrewery.co.uk
Seren Brewing http://serenbrewing.co.uk
2014 Events March 1st Saundersfoot Food & Crafts Festival and Cawl Trail www.visit-saundersfoot.com
August 19th - 21st Pembrokeshire County Show, Withybush Showground, Haverfordwest www.pembsshow.org
April 27th Tour of Pembrokeshire Cyclosportive from Oriel y Parc in St Davids: 50, 75 or 100 mile routes. Also a family ride on the 28th www.tourofpembrokeshire.co.uk
August 21st - 25th Fishguard Jazz & Blues Festival www.aberjazz.com
May 23rd - 26th Fishguard Folk Festival. Concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, singarounds, sessions & family events www.pembrokeshire-folk-music.co.uk May 23rd - 1st Jun St Davids Cathedral Festival. www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk June 7th - 14th Fifth Sea Fair Haven. A festival of traditional and classic vessels and long boat rowing. www.seafairhaven.org.uk
September 14th Fourth Ironman Wales competition. The legendary Ironman competition returns again for one of the hardest Ironman competitions in the World series. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a full marathon to finish! A great spectator event too www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ironman September 27th & 28th 16th Narberth Food Festival 2014 www.narberthfoodfestival.com September 20th - 27th Tenby Arts Festival www.tenbyartsfest.co.uk
28th June - 6th July Pembrokeshire Fish Week, a very fishy festival with events all over the county. The big launch event in Milford Haven on the 28th www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk
November 7th - 9th Ninth Tenby Blues Festival: firmly on the Blues calendar and celebrated by hundreds of music fans. Free and ticketed concerts throughout the town all weekend www.tenbyblues.co.uk
July 11th - 13th Long course triathlon weekend: various distances in the three disciplines over three days www.longcourseweekend.com
November 22nd - 23rd Christmas market Pembroke Castle including free admission www.pembrokecastle.co.uk
July 11th - 13th Fishguard Comedy Festival
December 26th Tenby Boxing Day Swim: Starts at 11am www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk
July 19th - 26th Fishguard International Music Festival www.fishguardmusicfestival.co.uk August 5th - 20th Open Air Theatre production of ‘Oh What a Lovely War’ in the evocative surroundings of St Davids Bishops Palace to commemorate the First World War www.festivalarts.org.uk
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St Dogmael’s Abbey Visitor Centre and working flour mill Cilgerran Castle Welsh Wildlife Centre & Canoe Trips Castell Henllys reconstructed Iron Age Settlement Bro Meigan Gardens, Boncath, Nr Newport Dyfed Shire Horse Farm Pentre Ifan Ancient Burial Chamber, Nr Newport West Wales Eco Centre, Newport, Careg Coetan Cromlech Penlan Uchaf Gardens and Woodland Walk Last Invasion Tapestry. Lower Town Harbour. Arts & Crafts Shops, Manorwen Walled Garden Gwaun Valley Brewery Cenarth Adventure Centre Tregwynt Working Woollen Mill, Nr Fishguard Carreg Sampson Cromlech, Nr Fishguard Pembrokeshire Sheepdog Demonstrations St Davids Cathedral, Bishops Palace, Ramsey Island, Whale & Dolphin boat trips, Oriel Y Parc Gallery Middle Mill Woollen Mill, Solva Skomer, Skokholm & Grassholm Boat Trips from Martin’s Haven Hilton Court Gardens and Crafts, Pembrokeshire Motor Museum & The Old Smithy Crafts Scolton Manor Museum & Country Park, Nr Haverfordwest Llys Y Fran Reservoir & Country Park, Nr Haverfordwest Haverfordwest Castle, Museum, Priory, Skate Park & Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company Haverfordwest Airport Pleasure Flights & Spitfire Museum Picton Castle & Woodland Gardens Clerkenhill Adventure Farm Blackpool Mill, Gallery & Woodland Walks Blue Lagoon Water Park & Childrens Adventure Centre Oakwood Coaster Country, Nr Narberth Cwm Deri Vineyard, Martletwy, Nr Narberth Dale Sea Safari’s, Canoe, Dinghy & Windsurfer hire Maritime Museum, Phoenix Bowl, & Milford Marina Neyland Marina and Westfield Pill Nature Reserve Flying Boat Visitor Centre Upton Castle Gardens, Nr Pembroke Carew Castle, Celtic Cross & Tide Mill, Carew Nr Pembroke Pembroke Castle & Glassblowing Studio Lamphey Bishops Palace Bosherston Lily Ponds, Nr Pembroke St Govans Chapel, Bosherston, Nr Pembroke Manorbier Castle Caldey Island, Cistercian Monastery, Medieval Priory & Beaches Manor House Wildlife Park, St Florence Nr Tenby The Dinosaur Experience & Making Tracks Heatherton Activity Theme Park, Nr Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, Aquarium, Tudor Merchants House, Boat Trips, Ocean Commotion & Lifeboat Station Folly Farm, & Avondale Glass Colby Woodland Garden & Battlefield Live
Pembrokeshire
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Coastal/Walkers Bus Service Cardigan
Newport Fishguard Crymych
St Davids
Narberth
Haverfordwest
Milford Haven
Poppit Rocket Strumble Shuttle Puffin Shuttle Preseli Green Dragon
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Amroth Pembroke Dock Pembroke
Tenby
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Coastal Cruiser Celtic Coaster Feeder Routes
This list is not a comprehensive list of every attraction. If you are interested in finding something that isn't listed or opening times and admission charges for any of the attractions that are listed here, please contact one of the Pembrokeshire Information Centres.
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Useful Contacts Tourist Information Tenby Customer Service & Information Centre Unit 2, The Gateway Complex, Upper Park Road, SA70 7LT Tel: 01834 842402 Email: tenby.tic@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Fishguard Information Centre The Old Town Hall Market Square, Fishguard Tel 01437 776636
Travel Information Public Transport National Rail enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk
Stena Line Ferries Tel: 08705 707070 www.stenaline.com
Irish Ferries Tel: 08705 171717
Email: enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
www.irishferries.com
Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, St Davids Tel: 01437 720392
National Express coaches Tel: 08705 808080
Email:info@orielyparc.co.uk Web site: www.orielyparc.co.uk
www.nationalexpress.com
Newport Visitor Centre, Bank Street Tel: 01239 820912
Coastal Bus Services
Email: newportTIC@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
Travel Line journey planner Tel: 0871 200 2233
Tenby National Park Centre, opposite Five Arches Tel: 01834 845040
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus
www.traveline-cymru.org.uk
Email: tenbycentre@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
Information Centres are also available at:
Accessible facilities Access Guide
Haverfordwest Library & Information Centre Dew St
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/accessguide
Milford Haven Library & Information Centre Suite 19, Cedar Court
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/scooting
Pembroke Library & Information Centre Commons Road
www.pembrokeshire-access.org.uk
Saundersfoot Library & Information Centre in Regency Hall
Scooting around in Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire Access Group
Published by Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP Design by Norman Hughes Design, Tenby Cover photography by Norman Hughes
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