Photo: Dylan Moore (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Pembrokeshire
Wondering what to do in Pembrokeshire? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
Museums & Galleries
3.4 mi from Pembrokeshire
Haverfordwest Museum
Local history museum in Haverfordwest, Wales, United Kingdom
8.7 mi from Pembrokeshire
Penrhos Cottage
Penrhos Cottage is a carefully preserved thatched cottage, or ‘Ty Unos’, unique in Pembrokeshire — a type of dwelling that could once be built overnight on land claimed as far as a...
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10.2 mi from Pembrokeshire
Milford Haven Museum
Milford Haven Museum tells the story of this Pembrokeshire coastal town, with exhibits covering the local fishing industry, the waterways, and the darker history of Milford Haven's...
10.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
Museum in Pembroke Dock, Wales, United Kingdom
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16.4 mi from Pembrokeshire
Tudor Merchant's House
This is a 15th-century merchant's house in the heart of historic Tenby, letting you step into the world of a successful merchant and his family in 1500, when the fine three-storey...
16.4 mi from Pembrokeshire
Tenby Museum & Art Gallery
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, located in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, is the oldest independent museum in Wales. Established in 1878, the museum has a collection of loca... — Wikipedia
18.4 mi from Pembrokeshire
Amgueddfa Cyflymder - Museum of Land Speed
The Museum of Land Speed in Pendine tells the story of Pendine Sands and the iconic land speed records set there, making it a family-friendly stop whether you're curious about moto...
20 mi from Pembrokeshire
Tom Mathias Museum
Memorial to Cilgerran photographer Tom Mathias featuring a rotating gallery of his work.
20.2 mi from Pembrokeshire
Castle Green House
Castle Green House is a Grade II* listed house located in the grounds of Cardigan Castle, Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales. It was restored in the 2000s and now acts as a museum, events... — Wikipedia
21.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
Cartref Dylan Thomas - Dylan Thomas Boathouse
The Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne was the writer's last home, set overlooking the Tâf estuary, and is now run as one of the CofGâr family of museums. Inside you'll find authe...
21.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
Dylan Thomas Boathouse
The Boathouse in Laugharne, Wales, was where Dylan Thomas lived with his family during his last four years between 1949 and 1953. The house is set in a cliff overlooking the Tâf es... — Wikipedia
26.4 mi from Pembrokeshire
Amgueddfa Wlân Cymru
Museum of the woollen industry in Dre-fach Felindre, Wales, United Kingdom
26.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
Capel Eidalwyr
Former Prisoner of War dormitory, converted into a Roman Catholic chapel by the prisoners.
Theme Parks
13.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities is a large outdoor and indoor activity park near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, offering everything from the Dragon Slide, hedge maze and Tree Tops Trail to...
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14.3 mi from Pembrokeshire
Dinosaur Park
The Dinosaur Park is an outdoor theme park near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, where you can explore a dinosaur trail or join a guided walking safari among 90 life-sized dinosaur models. Ad...
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Water Parks
Zoos & Wildlife
11.9 mi from Pembrokeshire
Folly Farm
Folly Farm is a zoo and farm park set in the Pembrokeshire countryside (BRITSTAYS:place), combining a zoo of "endangered, exotic species" with domestic rare breeds, restored vintag...
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27.8 mi from Pembrokeshire
The British Bird of Prey Centre
The British Bird of Prey Centre is the UK's only attraction dedicated entirely to native British birds of prey, based near Llandyfaelog in Carmarthenshire. You'll watch owls, red k...
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Where to stay near Pembrokeshire
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Pembrokeshire
Itineraries
- A weekend in Wales: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Wales with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Wales · 2 days
Haunted Britain
Getting your bearings
Pembrokeshire is easier to enjoy when you stop trying to see all of it. Most of the attractions below are listed under Tenby or St Davids, with others spread across the wider county. With 247 places to stay on BritStays here, it makes sense to choose your base around the kind of days you want, rather than fitting your plans around wherever you happen to book.
Standout attractions by type
For families. If you have children with energy to burn, Tenby is the obvious starting point. Blue Lagoon is a water park, and the Vintage Funfair offers something a bit more old-fashioned. Amgueddfa Cyflymder - Museum of Land Speed, also listed under Tenby, tends to appeal to anyone who likes fast cars.
For rainy days. Pembrokeshire has plenty of museums, which is useful when the weather turns. In Tenby, you can choose from:
- Tudor Merchant's House, run by the National Trust
- Wilson Museum and Tom Mathias Museum
- Cardi Bach Heritage Centre and History of Coal Mining
- Carew Cheriton Control Tower
Further afield, you'll find Pembroke Museum, Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and the Welsh spitfire museum. In St Davids, the Treasury of the Cathedral is a good indoor option. Blue Lagoon is worth a thought on a wet day too, since you'll be getting soaked either way.
For the outdoors. Freshwater West is cared for by the National Trust and is the place to go for fresh air. If you'd like something gentler, Colby Woodland Garden is a garden and arboretum where you can take your time.
For heritage. Pembrokeshire has a lot of castles. Look out for Upton Castle, Castell Cilgerran (also spelled Cilgeran Castle), Newport Castle, Cardigan Castle, Castell Llanhuadain, Haverfordwest Castle and Amroth Castle. It's realistic to pick two or three, not all seven.
Grouping attractions into a sensible day
The simplest approach is to cluster your day by area and then check a map before you set off.
- A Tenby day: spend the morning at Tudor Merchant's House and the Wilson Museum. After lunch, head to the Vintage Funfair, or to Blue Lagoon if the children need to let off steam.
- A St Davids day: build the day around the Treasury of the Cathedral. Leave plenty of time to wander, rather than racing on to somewhere else.
- A castles and gardens day: pair one or two castles, such as Amroth Castle or Upton Castle, with Colby Woodland Garden. Check how far apart they are before committing.
- A wartime and maritime day: combine Carew Cheriton Control Tower, the Welsh spitfire museum and Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.
If you fancy crossing the county boundary, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and Amgueddfa Sir Gâr - Carmarthenshire Museum are both listed under neighbouring Carmarthenshire.
Where to eat
All of the places below hold a 5-star food hygiene rating. Bear in mind that this reflects cleanliness and food handling, not the menu itself.
- nook, for ice cream
- Wisemans Bridge Inn
- The Dial Inn
- The Brewery Inn
- Sloop Inn
A pub lunch at one of the four inns breaks up a heritage day nicely, and a stop at nook makes a good reward after a long walk or a museum visit with younger children. Check each one's location against your route for the day, as well as whether it serves food at the times you need.
Turning it into a short break
Three days gives you a comfortable mix without rushing. For example:
- Day one: museums and the funfair in Tenby
- Day two: outdoors at Freshwater West or Colby Woodland Garden, with a castle on the way
- Day three: the Treasury of the Cathedral in St Davids, or the wartime day if the weather is poor
Keep one day flexible so you can swap the indoor and outdoor plans around once you've seen the forecast. If you're splitting your time between Tenby and St Davids, staying a night or two in each will save you repeat journeys.
Practical tips before you go
Opening days and times vary, especially for smaller museums and heritage centres, so check each attraction directly before you travel. If you're a National Trust member, both Tudor Merchant's House and Freshwater West are on its list. Pack layers and waterproofs whatever the season, and keep a rainy-day museum in reserve. Finally, check the spelling on signs. Several places use both Welsh and English names, such as Castell Cilgerran, which is also written as Cilgeran Castle.
Frequently asked questions
What is there for families to do in Tenby?
Tenby has Blue Lagoon, a water park, and the Vintage Funfair. Amgueddfa Cyflymder - Museum of Land Speed is also listed under Tenby and suits anyone who likes fast cars.
What can I do in Pembrokeshire on a rainy day?
There are plenty of museums. In Tenby you can visit Tudor Merchant's House, the Wilson Museum, the Tom Mathias Museum, Cardi Bach Heritage Centre and History of Coal Mining. Elsewhere you'll find Pembroke Museum, Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, the Welsh spitfire museum and the Treasury of the Cathedral in St Davids.
Which National Trust places can I visit in Pembrokeshire?
Tudor Merchant's House in Tenby and Freshwater West are both National Trust properties.
Which castles can I visit in Pembrokeshire?
Options include Upton Castle, Castell Cilgerran (also spelled Cilgeran Castle), Newport Castle, Cardigan Castle, Castell Llanhuadain, Haverfordwest Castle and Amroth Castle.
Where can I eat in Pembrokeshire?
Places with 5-star food hygiene ratings include nook for ice cream, plus Wisemans Bridge Inn, The Dial Inn, The Brewery Inn and Sloop Inn. Check their locations and serving times against your plans for the day.
How many places to stay are there in Pembrokeshire on BritStays?
BritStays lists 247 places to stay across Pembrokeshire. If you're splitting your break between Tenby and St Davids, consider staying a night or two in each to save on repeat journeys.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Pembrokeshire.