Download - Pembrokeshire holiday guide 2014
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2014 guide
I n d e x
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
2
l Newport
My Pembrokeshireby Pau l Goga r t y
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 GogartyPaul 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’.
I still haven't discovered
anywhere that can quite
eclipse the Pembrokeshire
coast. Read more....
3
l Tenby Harbour
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park takes in about a third of thecounty including the entire coastal strip, the upper reaches of theDaugleddau (two swords) Estuary and The Preseli’s.
While several of Britain’s national parks have little bits of coastline, ThePembrokeshire Coast National Park is almost entirely coastal, underlyingjust how spectacular and important the coastline is. The National Trustplay a big part as well. They own significant stretches of Pembrokeshire’scoast.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Parkwww.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
National Trustwww.nationaltrust.org.uk
Britain’s CoastalNational Park
4
l Marloes
l Caerfai
Pembrokeshire Coast Path186 miles from Amroth to What makes the Pembrokeshire Coast
Path so interesting is the variety oflandscapes you pass through on your
way, from steep limestone cliffs to undulating redsandstone bays, craggy volcanic headlands andflooded glacial valleys. Most of the route is on thecliff top; at times it drops down to the beach or aroad and occasionally passes through towns andvillages. It also now links with the Wales CoastalPath, the world’s first national coast perimeterwalk.
Walking the whole of the coast path can be achallenge but you can choose a section that suitsyour ability for a day or two’s hike and there arealso plenty of smaller circular routes. The yearround Coastal Bus Services are specially designedfor walkers; take the bus a few miles down thecoast and then walk back at your own pace.
More Informationwww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/walking/
Coastal Bus Serviceswww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus
Wales Coast Pathwww.walescoastpath.gov.uk
Top TipsHop on the Coastal Bus and walk back. There are no timetableworries that way.
If the Coastal Bus normally goes past your accommodation, hailit. It’ll stop if it’s safe to do so.
Use the buses to link several Coast Path stages from the samebase and avoid having to transfer luggage.
Let the Train take the StrainThere are four train stations near the Coast Path:
Fishguard to Milford Haven is about 93 miles and has four YouthHostels at reasonable intervals.
Pembroke to Tenby is about 47 miles with convenient camp sitesfor a three day trek.
Fishguard now has seven trains a day making it ideal for daytrips. Walk to Strumble Head or Pwllgwaelod (both seven miles).
St Dogmaels is a remarkably
long distance when you
consider that Pembrokeshire
is only 25 miles from north
to south!
5
Blue Flag Beaches
Whitesands near St Davids
Newgale and Broad Haven in St Brides Bay
Dale
Lydstep Haven
Tenby South and North Beaches
Saundersfoot
Coppet Hall
Amroth
With 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.
Britain’s Best Beaches
l Broadhaven South
l South Beach Tenby
l Poppit Sands
6
B l u e F l a g s a r e t h e E u r o p e a ns t a n d a r d f o r q u a l i t y b e a c h e sw i t h e x c e l l e n t w a t e r q u a l i t y
a n d a g o o d r a n g e o f f a c i l i t i e ss u c h a s t o i l e t s .
Look out for these flags, theymark bathing areas patrolled
by life guards.
Two black & white flags marknon swimming areas zoned
mainly for surfing, windsurfingor a motorised craft beach
access point.
Take note of this flag, itindicates dangerous conditions,
DO NOT GO SWIMMINGwhen it’s flying.
Please take note of theflags (ask the lifeguards if
you’re in doubt) and ensurethat everyone has a happy -and safe - day at the beach!
All awards shown havebeen 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 & Beachattendants on duty
from the last week inJune to the first weekend
in September10am to 6pm daily
G r e e n C o a s t a w a r d s a r e f o ri s o l a t e d r u r a l b e a c h e s w i t he x c e l l e n t w a t e r q u a l i t y b u t
f e w o r n o f a c i l i t i e s
S e a s i d e a w a r d s a r e a U . K .o n l y s c h e m e f o r b e a c h e s w i t h
a t l e a s t g o o d w a t e r q u a l i t y b u tt h e y m a y n o t a c h i e v e a l l c r i t e r i a
n e e d e d f o r a B l u e F l a g a w a r d .
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BEACH
DESCRIPT
ION
WAT
ER Q
UALITY
Beach Description KeyS SAND BEACHD SAND DUNES
P PEBBLE BEACHC CLIFFS
ST STREAMSH SHINGLE
R ROCKYMF MUD FLATS
RP ROCK POOLSH HARBOUR
E ESTUARYX PONTOON
A
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ST.DOGMAELS
POPPIT
CEIBWR
NEWPORT SANDS
NEWPORT PARROG
CWM-YR-EGLWYS
PWLL GWAELOD
LOWER FISHGUARD
GOODWICK SANDS
ABERBACH (ST.NICHOLAS)
ABERMAWR
ABERCASTLE
ABERFELIN/TREFIN
PORTHGAIN
TRAETHLLYFN
ABEREIDDY
PORTHMELGEN
WHITESANDS
PORTHSELAU
PORTHCLAIS
CAERFAI
SOLVA
NEWGALE
NOLTON HAVEN
DRUIDSTON
BROAD HAVEN
LITTLE HAVEN
ST.BRIDES HAVEN
MARTINS HAVEN
MARLOES SANDS
WEST DALE
DALE
LINDSWAY BAY
SANDY HAVEN
GELLISWICK
LLANSTADWELL
NEYLAND
BURTON
LLANGWM/BLACKTAR
LAWRENNY
EAST LLANION
ANGLE BAY
WEST ANGLE BAY
FRESHWATER WEST
BROAD HAVEN SOUTH
BARAFUNDLE BAY
STACKPOLE QUAY
FRESHWATER EAST
MANORBIER
LYDSTEP HAVEN
PENALLY
PRIORY BAY CALDEY
TENBY SOUTH
TENBY CASTLE
TENBY HARBOUR
TENBY NORTH
MONKSTONE
GLEN BEACH
SAUNDERSFOOT
COPPET HALL
WISEMANS BRIDGE
AMROTH
BEWARE OF STRONG RIP CURRENTS
Water Quality gradings: EXCELLENT = complies with the E.C. Excellent standard. GOOD = complies with the sufficentstandard. Beaches that are not tested are generally smaller, adjacent to tested beaches or in isolated locations.
NO DOG FO
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7
Our Green Flag beaches are where you’ll find
some of our most dramatic landscapes. They
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 FlagBeaches for familiesManorbier
Freshwater East
Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Caerfai near St Davids
Broad Haven South near Bosherston
Wide
8
l Caldey Boats
l Abermawr
Top 5 PhotogenicGreen Flag BeachesMarloes Sands
Penally
Druidston
Priory Beach on Caldey Island
Barafundle Bay
5 Hidden GemsCaverns Beach on Lydstep Head
Watwick Bay on St Anne’s Head
Porthlysgi Bay onSt Davids Peninsula
Traeth Llyfn near Abereiddi
Aber Mawr near Mathry
More InformationPembrokeshire Beacheswww.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/beaches/
Where to launch a boatwww.boatlaunch.co.uk
open spaces
9
l Abereiddy l Freshwater West
l Freshwater West
10
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.
The 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.
Top 5 Natural wondersThe 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 wondersBosherston Lily Ponds
Llys y Fran reservoir & Country Park
Pentre Ifan burial chamber near Newport
The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi
St Govan’s Chapel
Inspirationallandscapes
11
l Lydstep Haven
l Llys y Fran
l Bosherston Lily Ponds
l St Govan’s Head
Grey seals are another important marine species,with a third of the world’s population livingaround the Pembrokeshire coast. You’ll see thembobbing about in sheltered, inaccessible coves.The best time to see them is between Septemberand November when they give birth to pups onisolated beaches.
Our five islands of Skomer, Skokholm,Grassholm, Ramsey and Caldey have hugepopulations of nesting Puffins, Gannets,Guillemots, Razorbills and Manx Shearwatersduring the spring and summer.
When to visitTo see Puffins, come in May and June.
July and August is best to experience Shearwatersreturning to their burrows under the cover ofdarkness.
Gannets are in residence on Grassholm until theend of August.
Huge numbers of migrating seabirds travel alongthe coast in September and October
Pembrokeshire 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.
A Haven for
12
l Puffins, Skomer Island
Further Information
Wildlife section on Visit Pembrokeshirewww.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/wildlife-nature/
Sea Trustwww.seatrust.org.uk
Skomer & Skokholm islandswww.welshwildlife.org
Bird Spotters’ blogwww.pembsbirds.blogspot.com
RSPBwww.rspb.org.uk
Wildlife
13
l Martin’s Havenl Grey Seal
l Dolphins, Cardigan Bay
Our four big castles at Pembroke, Picton,Carew and Manorbier plus the remnants ofTenby Castle are all Norman. There is also a
necklace of smaller castles between Amroth and Rochcalled the Landsker Line, put in place as a buffer zonebetween the Normans and Welsh Lords in northPembrokeshire. The castles at Nevern, Cardigan andCilgerran were to change hands between these twosides many times.
Predating all of these is Castell Henllys Iron Age HillFort. The round houses have been rebuilt exactlywhere archaeological excavations showed theywould have stood 2,000 years ago. This ‘livinghistory’ attraction is as close to experiencing aCeltic lifestyle as it is possible to get.
Dotted around the Haven Waterway arenumerous more modern Napoleonic era forts.One or two can be explored via the CoastPath plus don’t forget the Carew AirfieldControl Tower, carefully recreated as itwould have looked in WW2.
Pembroke: Birthplaceof the Tudor Dynasty
Henry VII, founder of the TudorDynasty was born in PembrokeCastle in 1457
His mother, Margaret, wasonly 13 and nearly died inchildbirth
Henry landed an army at MillBay on St Anne’s Head in1485
He defeated Richard III, thelast of the Plantagenet Kings,at the battle of Bosworth Field
The Tudor dynasty he createdendured until 1603
Defence of the Realm
14
l Roch Castle
l Pembroke Castle
More InformationPembrokeshire’s Castles section onVisit Pembrokeshirewww.visitpembrokeshire.com/attractions-events/castles-heritage/
Pembroke Castlewww.pembrokecastle.co.uk
Picton Castlewww.pictoncastle.co.uk
Manorbier Castlewww.manorbiercastle.co.uk
Carew Castlewww.carewcastle.com
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fortwww.castellhenllys.com
Nevern Castlewww.neverncastle.com
Roch Castlewww.retreatsgroup.com
Carew Airfield Control Towerwww.carewcheritoncontroltower.co.uk
15
l Carew Castle
Five ThousandYears in the Making
More InformationCastell Henllys Iron Age Fortwww.castellhenllys.com
Haverfordwest Museumwww.haverfordwest-town-museum.org.uk
Tenby Museum and Art Gallerywww.tenbymuseum.org.uk
Narberth Museumhttp://narberthmuseum.co.uk
St Dogmael’s Heritage Centrewww.welshabbey.org.uk
Pembrokeshire Historical Resourcewww.pembrokeshirevirtualmuseum.co.uk
St Davids Cathedralwww.stdavidscathedral.org.uk
Between 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.
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.
16
l Pentre Ifan
l Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort
Ancient SitesPentre Ifan an exposed burial chamber or dolmennear Newport
Other dolmen include Carreg Samson near Abercastle,Carreg Coetan in Newport, Coetan Arthur on St DavidsHead and Kings Quoit at Manorbier.
Gors Fawr stone circle near Mynachlog Ddu andBedd Arthur near Newport
Castell Henllys reconstructedIron Age Fort near Newport
17
l Tenby Museum & Art Gallery
l St Davids Cathedral
l St Dogmael’s Heritage Centre
New for 2014Coppet Hall Beach Centre
Just east of Saundersfoot, the little bay of Coppet Hall is about tobecome Pembrokeshire’s most fashionable beach when a newbeach centre opens in May. The centre will have a top-end seafoodrestaurant in the evening, a café during the day and an activitycentre which will hire and sell a range of watersports andland-based activity equipment. Also family changing rooms withshowers, public toilets and displays on the local industrial heritage.
The restaurant will be run by The Grove at Narberth who are wellknown for their quality cuisine.
18
Scolton Manor, WalledGarden and StablesRestoration
The Victorian estate nearHaverfordwest is undergoingmassive restoration as a result ofsubstantial European funding andis due to open for Easter 2014.The re-created Walled Garden,along with the Manor House,stables and 60-acres of countrypark and woodlands portray life ona Victorian country estate and thePembrokeshire gentry and staffwho lived there.
In the stables, visitors will be ableto see a new Honey Kitchen andBeekeeping Centre where theycan discover more about the worldof busy bees and their importancein the contribution to food, farmingand pollination. The displays willfeature an audio-visual film of thebee hives at Scolton and livecamera links from the hives willshow the frenzy of activity thatgoes on inside a typical hive.
Vintage and AntiqueLawnmowers atPicton Castle
The Lumsden Collection of Vintageand Antique Lawnmowers has beeninstalled in the Old Dairy in thecourtyard at Picton Castle, nearHaverfordwest. According to the OldLawnmower Club, this is probablythe finest collection of such ma-chines anywhere.
Cardigan CastleOn Pembrokeshire’s northernborder, Cardigan Castle is due toopen its doors towards the end ofthe summer for the first time indecades. Regular tours of the castlesite will help visitors discover moreabout its 900 years of history andvisit the Grade II listed Regencygardens and walled kitchen garden,which will form a central feature.
There will also be luxuryaccommodation, a heritage centre,a fine-dining restaurant, Eisteddfodgarden, open-air concert area andevent spaces.
More InformationScolton 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 SideWith 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 WalksThe Golden Road along the top of the Preseli’s linking a BronzeAge 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 theHaven. 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 puband cafe at both ends. 5 miles.
Pwllgwaelod to Cwm yr Eglwys on the ‘valley’ path. Suitable forpushchairs & wheelchairs. 1 mile.
Wiseman’s Bridge and Saundersfoot via old tramway tunnelsand Coppet Hall. 2 miles.
Carew Castle Mill Pond including the Celtic Cross, Castle andTidal Mill. 1 mile.
20
l Preselli Hills
The Preseli Circle and GreenwaysWalking Holidayswww.greenwaysholidays.com
Pembrokeshire Coast National Parkand easy access guidewww.pcnpa.org.uk/walking
Ceredigion Coast Pathwww.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk
More InformationWalking section on visitpembrokeshire.comwww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/walking/
Walkers’ Coastal Bus Serviceswww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus
The Pembrokeshire Trailwww.walkingpembrokeshire.co.uk
Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trailhttp://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/coast-path
21l Blue Lagoon, Abereiddy
l Solva
The 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: aroundLlys y Fran reservoir; the Dramway between Saundersfootand Stepaside; the old Cardi Bach railway line betweenCardigan and the Wildlife Centre; or The Brunel Trail betweenHaverfordwest and Neyland.
The recently opened Pembrokeshire Trail between Amroth andLlawhaden includes some upgraded off-road sections throughCanaston Woods and Templeton Airfield as well as a new underpassunder the A40. It’s suitable for walking, bikes and horses.
New off-road trails for mountain bikes and horses recently openedat Pantmaenog Forest near Rosebush. They climb up to 1,400ft withhorses and bikes going in opposite directions to minimise conflict.
More Informationwww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/cycling/
Cycle Pembrokeshirewww.cyclepembrokeshire.com/
Sustranswww.sustrans.org.uk
Pembrokeshire Mountain Bikingwww.mtbpembrokeshire.co.uk
Enjoy
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l Druidston
l Rosebush
the Ride
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7 The award-winning Folly Farmis 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.
1 The Blue Lagoon is a brilliantindoor water park with a wave machine, flume
rides and a lazy river. Regular ‘After Dark’ eveningsessions are great fun and all the waves, cannons andjets are on full power! Next door is The AdventureCentre, a giant countryside-themed indoor adventureplay centre and indoor high ropes
2Anna Ryder-Richardson’sManor House Wildlife Park
is a zoo with a difference with walk through enclosures whereyou can get up close to the animals. The newest residents areZamba and Jambo the Rhinos. Now open all year round.
8 For a Monster day out, go to theDinosaur Park near Tenby. As well as
the Dinosaur trail, there are loads of rides and activitiesincluded in the admission price including an indooradventure playground, digging for fossils and a giantbubble ride.
6 The Dyfed Shire Horse Farmbetween 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.
9 Pembroke Castle is great forexploring and letting off a bit of steam: tunnels,
towers, battlements, and spiral staircases all over theplace. There’s even a haunted underground cavern!
Top 10 Family Attractions
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3 Oakwood is Wales’ only theme park withplenty 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 holidayis returning for 2014.
More InformationAttractions section on VisitPembrokeshirewww.visitpembrokeshire.com/attractions-events/
Oakwood Theme Parkwww.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoowww.folly-farm.co.uk
The Blue Lagoon & Adventure Centrewww.bluelagoonwales.com
Manor House Wildlife Parkwww.manorhousewildlifepark.co.uk
10Heatherton ActivityTheme Park
has a choice of 27 different activities to choosefrom including the daring Tree Tops Trail andthe amazing Pirates of the Caribbean-themedadventure golf course. Buy a family book ofcredits and take your pick.
4Become a Celtic warrior for the day atCastell Henllys Iron Age Fort
Help build a wattle and daub wall, make bread, throw aspear and have your face painted like an Iron Age warrior!
5 National Trust 50 things to dobefore you’re 11¾ scrapbooks are available from the
National Trust at the Stackpole Centre and at ColbyWoodland Gardens. They’re full of fun ideas like snailracing and making daisy chains.
The Dinosaur Parkwww.thedinosaurpark.co.uk
Heatherton Activity Theme Parkwww.heatherton.co.uk
Dyfed Shireswww.dyfed-shires.co.uk
Castell Henllys Iron Age Fortwww.castellhenllys.com
Pembroke Castlewww.pembrokecastle.co.uk
50 Things to do before you’re 11¾www.50things.org.uk
See the map on page 30 and 31for more ideas
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More InformationVisit Pembrokeshire Activitieswww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/
Pembrokeshire Paraglidingwww.pembrokeshireparagliding.com
Downhill Revolutionwww.zorbingwales.co.uk
Tree Tops Trailwww.treetopstrail.com
Jet Ski Safariswww.tenbywatersports.co.uk
Stackpole Sea Safariwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole-centre
Climbing taster sessionswww.tyf.com
Kite Surfingwww.bigbluekitesurfing.com
Coasteeringwww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure/coasteering
Horse Ridingwww.visitpembrokeshire.com/activities-adventure-horse-riding
Oakwood Theme Parkwww.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
AdrenalineCocktails
Top 10 adrenaline experiences
Do 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.
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Here are a few suggestions.
Learn to pilot a paraglider withPembrokeshire Paragliders. Tandemflights available too
Launch yourself downhill inside a giantinflatable ball with Downhill Revolution inNolton
Swing through the trees on rope bridgesand Tarzan swings at up to 40 feet abovethe ground before returning to earth on ziplines
Try a jet ski safari or a banana boat ridefrom Tenby. Banana rides, kayak hire andspeedboat hire available too.
Take a National Trust Sea Safari fromStackpole Quay, either coasteering or bykayak. All equipment is provided includingsit 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 launchyourself into the air from the top of a wavewhile attached to a surf-board! It’s not asmad as it sounds.
Coasteering is a mixture of rock climbing,cliff jumping and riding the surf. Highlyrecommended fun!
Charging full pelt through the surf onhorseback is quite an experience.
Oakwood Theme Park is the place foradrenaline rides but which ride is scariest?Drench is the wettest, Speed the fastestand Megaphobia is everyone’s favouriteso 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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More InformationPembrokeshire Food Guidewww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/foodanddrink
Pembrokeshire Produce Directwww.pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk
Gwaun Valley Brewerywww.gwaunvalleybrewery.co.uk
You’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 award-winning Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market, now held every Fridayall year round. A Farmers’ Market is also held in Fishguard TownHall every Saturday.
As well as good locally produced food and locally caught shell fishthere are a number of good drink producers including Cwm Derivineyard and The Gwaun Valley Brewery, who have ‘play what youbring’ acoustic music sessions on Saturday nights. New for 2014 areCaffle brewery in Llawhaden and Seren Brewing in Rosebush.
Pembrokeshire Produce Direct is a community run one-stop-shopwhere you can order the best local produce online before you come.
Food FestivalsPembrokeshire Fish Week is held at the end of June. The festivalkicks off with a big outdoor event that takes over Milford Haven’smarina on the 28th June.www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk
The Saundersfoot Food & Crafts Festival and Cawl Trail on St Davidsday (1st March). Visit all the competing restaurants and vote for yourfavourite. If you’re not familiar with Cawl, it’s a tasty traditionalWelsh broth.www.visit-saundersfoot.com
The Really Wild Food Festival, 24th & 25th May, has recently movedto the Bishops Palace in St Davids. Lots of culinary delights, ruraltraditions, storytelling and countryside fun too.www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
Narberth Food Festival on September 27th & 28th. Winners of thePembrokeshire Tourism best event award. Lots of good Welsh produceand some great music too.www.narberthfoodfestival.com
Food Glorious Food
Cwm Deri Vineyardwww.cwm-deri.co.uk
Caffle Brewerywww.cafflebrewery.co.uk
Seren Brewinghttp://serenbrewing.co.uk
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March 1stSaundersfoot Food & Crafts Festivaland Cawl Trailwww.visit-saundersfoot.com
April 27thTour of Pembrokeshire Cyclosportivefrom Oriel y Parc in St Davids: 50, 75or 100 mile routes. Also a family rideon the 28thwww.tourofpembrokeshire.co.uk
May 23rd - 26thFishguard Folk Festival. Concerts,ceilidhs, workshops, singarounds,sessions & family eventswww.pembrokeshire-folk-music.co.uk
May 23rd - 1st JunSt Davids Cathedral Festival.www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk
June 7th - 14thFifth Sea Fair Haven. A festival oftraditional and classic vessels andlong boat rowing.www.seafairhaven.org.uk
28th June - 6th JulyPembrokeshire Fish Week, a very fishyfestival with events all over the county.The big launch event in Milford Havenon the 28thwww.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk
July 11th - 13th Long course triathlonweekend: various distances in the threedisciplines over three dayswww.longcourseweekend.com
July 11th - 13thFishguard Comedy Festival
July 19th - 26thFishguard International Music Festivalwww.fishguardmusicfestival.co.uk
August 5th - 20thOpen Air Theatre production of ‘OhWhat a Lovely War’ in the evocativesurroundings of St Davids BishopsPalace to commemorate the FirstWorld Warwww.festivalarts.org.uk
August 19th - 21stPembrokeshire County Show,Withybush Showground, Haverfordwestwww.pembsshow.org
August 21st - 25thFishguard Jazz & Blues Festivalwww.aberjazz.com
September 14thFourth Ironman Wales competition.The legendary Ironman competitionreturns again for one of the hardestIronman competitions in the Worldseries. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bikeride and a full marathon to finish!A great spectator event toowww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ironman
September 27th & 28th16th Narberth Food Festival 2014www.narberthfoodfestival.com
September 20th - 27thTenby Arts Festivalwww.tenbyartsfest.co.uk
November 7th - 9thNinth Tenby Blues Festival: firmly onthe Blues calendar and celebrated byhundreds of music fans. Free andticketed concerts throughout the townall weekendwww.tenbyblues.co.uk
November 22nd - 23rdChristmas market Pembroke Castleincluding free admissionwww.pembrokecastle.co.uk
December 26thTenby Boxing Day Swim: Starts at11am www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk
2014 Events
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This list is not a comprehensive list of every attraction. Ifyou are interested in finding something that isn't listed oropening times and admission charges for any of theattractions that are listed here, please contact one of thePembrokeshire Information Centres.
St Dogmael’s Abbey Visitor Centre and working flour millCilgerran CastleWelsh Wildlife Centre & Canoe TripsCastell Henllys reconstructed Iron Age SettlementBro Meigan Gardens, Boncath, Nr NewportDyfed Shire Horse FarmPentre Ifan Ancient Burial Chamber, Nr NewportWest Wales Eco Centre, Newport, Careg Coetan CromlechPenlan Uchaf Gardens and Woodland WalkLast Invasion Tapestry. Lower Town Harbour. Arts & Crafts Shops,Manorwen Walled GardenGwaun Valley BreweryCenarth Adventure CentreTregwynt Working Woollen Mill, Nr FishguardCarreg Sampson Cromlech, Nr FishguardPembrokeshire Sheepdog DemonstrationsSt Davids Cathedral, Bishops Palace, Ramsey Island,Whale & Dolphin boat trips, Oriel Y Parc GalleryMiddle Mill Woollen Mill, SolvaSkomer, Skokholm & Grassholm Boat Trips from Martin’s HavenHilton Court Gardens and Crafts,Pembrokeshire Motor Museum & The Old Smithy CraftsScolton Manor Museum & Country Park, Nr HaverfordwestLlys Y Fran Reservoir & Country Park, Nr HaverfordwestHaverfordwest Castle, Museum, Priory, Skate Park &Wickedly Welsh Chocolate CompanyHaverfordwest Airport Pleasure Flights & Spitfire MuseumPicton Castle & Woodland GardensClerkenhill Adventure FarmBlackpool Mill, Gallery & Woodland WalksBlue Lagoon Water Park & Childrens Adventure CentreOakwood Coaster Country, Nr NarberthCwm Deri Vineyard, Martletwy, Nr NarberthDale Sea Safari’s, Canoe, Dinghy & Windsurfer hireMaritime Museum, Phoenix Bowl, & Milford MarinaNeyland Marina and Westfield Pill Nature ReserveFlying Boat Visitor CentreUpton Castle Gardens, Nr PembrokeCarew Castle, Celtic Cross & Tide Mill, Carew Nr PembrokePembroke Castle & Glassblowing StudioLamphey Bishops PalaceBosherston Lily Ponds, Nr PembrokeSt Govans Chapel, Bosherston, Nr PembrokeManorbier CastleCaldey Island, Cistercian Monastery, Medieval Priory & BeachesManor House Wildlife Park, St Florence Nr TenbyThe Dinosaur Experience & Making TracksHeatherton Activity Theme Park, Nr TenbyMuseum & Art Gallery, Aquarium, Tudor Merchants House,Boat Trips, Ocean Commotion & Lifeboat StationFolly Farm, & Avondale GlassColby Woodland Garden & Battlefield Live
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Attractions Key
YMCA/
Pembrokeshire
NarberthHaverfordwest
St Davids
MilfordHaven
Pembroke DockPembroke
Tenby
Amroth
Crymych
Newport
Fishguard
Cardigan
Poppit RocketStrumble ShuttlePuffin ShuttlePreseli Green Dragon
Coastal CruiserCeltic CoasterFeeder Routes
Coastal/Walkers Bus Service
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Based on 1934 Ordnance Survey mapping, updated from aerial photographs and information supplied by Pembrokeshire County Council. Map produced by Stiirling Surveys August 2000. Pembrokeshire County Council 200031
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Tourist Information
Tenby Customer Service & Information CentreUnit 2, The Gateway Complex, Upper Park Road, SA70 7LTTel: 01834 842402Email:[email protected]
Fishguard Information CentreThe Old Towmn HallMarket Square, FishguardTel 01437 776636Email: [email protected]
Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, St DavidsTel: 01437 720392Email:[email protected] site: www.orielyparc.co.uk
Newport Visitor Centre, Bank StreetTel: 01239 820912Email: [email protected]
Tenby National Park Centre, opposite Five ArchesTel: 01834 845040Email: [email protected]
Information Centres are also available at:
Haverfordwest Library & Information CentreDew St
Milford Haven Library & Information CentreSuite 19, Cedar Court
Pembroke Library & Information CentreCommons Road
Saundersfoot Library & Information Centrein Regency Hall
Travel InformationPublic TransportNational Rail enquirieswww.nationalrail.co.uk
Stena Line FerriesTel: 08705 707070www.stenaline.com
Irish FerriesTel: 08705 171717www.irishferries.com
National Express coachesTel: 08705 808080www.nationalexpress.com
Coastal Bus Serviceswww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coastbus
Travel Line journey plannerTel: 0871 200 2233www.traveline-cymru.org.uk
Accessible facilitiesAccess Guidewww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/accessguide
Scooting around in Pembrokeshirewww.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/scooting
Pembrokeshire Access Groupwww.pembrokeshire-access.org.uk
Useful Contacts
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Published by Pembrokeshire County Council,County Hall, Haverfordwest,Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP
Design by Norman Hughes Design, TenbyCover photography by Norman Hughes