Local Information - Pembrokeshire
History
Pembrokeshire has been welcoming visitors for centuries. From the Dark Ages right up to the present day, Pembrokeshire has been a busy cultural crossroads and one of the main travel arteries between Britain and Ireland. In Medieval times, two Pilgrimages to St Davids were equivalent to one to Rome. Pembrokeshire people have absorbed the cultural characteristics of its many settlers; the Celtic peoples, Irish, Vikings, Normans and their Flemish allies, leaving a cultural mix that is Unique in Wales. Historic places to visit include: Historic Castles such as Pembroke Castle, Manorbier Castle, Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, Picton Castle & Woodland Gardens, Cilgerran Castle. Other Historic Attractions of interest are The Medieval Merchants House in Tenby, Lamphey Bishops Palace, St Davids Cathedral and Bishops Palace, Llawhaden Castle, St Govan's Chapel.
Coast
There is a quality to Pernbrokeshire that sets it apart from many busier coastal destinations. Pembrokeshire's peninsulas are some of the more remote places to 'get away from it all. They Include the Castlemartin peninsula, Marloes peninsula, St Davids peninsula and the Pencaer peninsula around Strurnbie Head. In all these penisulas you will find - Havens of Tranquillity such as Nolton Haven, St Brides Haven Nr Little Haven, Druidston Haven, Sandy Haven Nr Herbrandston and Martin's Haven Nr Marioes. Quiet Quays include the Lower Town Fishguard, Porthclais Nr St Davids, Stackpole Quay Nr Pembroke, Cresswell Quay Nr Carew, Porthgain Nr St Davids.
Beaches
Every year Pembrokeshire's beaches feature in all the "Best Beaches" news reports. In 2003, Poppit and Little Haven ranked alongside Turkish and Maltese beaches in an academic study to identify Europe's best beaches. The Times recommend Whitesands as a surfing beach, and The Sunday Times chose Barafundle as their top choice for a sun worshippers beach. Men's Health also picked Barafundle as its choice for Best Secluded Beach while The Independant chose all three of tenby's beaches in its list of best beaches. Fun Beaches include - Whitsands nesr St Davids, Newgate, Tenby South, Tenby North and Saundersfoot. Big Sandy Beaches include - Poppit, Amroth, Freshwater East, Freshwater West and Newport sands. Hidden Gems include - Swanlake Bay, Priory beach on Caldy island, Watwick Bay near Dale, Church Doors South of Lydstep and Cwm yr Eglwys.
Watersports
Pembrokeshire offers one of the best outdoor Leisure Centres in Europe where you'll find some of the best environments for a dozen or more adventurous activities,The principal surfing beaches are at Newgale, Whitesands and Freshwater West - Surf at Fresh West is usually the best but beware of cross currents and undertows. You can take surf boards (and bikes) on a new bus service to Freshwater West. Another more accessible activity is snorkelling. You don't need much equipment and it's quick to pick up. Coasteering is something all active people should try. It's fun, it's exciting and it's easy. Coasteering? It's climbing along the cliffs at sea level. When you can't go any further, jump in and swim round to the next bit. You need to join an organised group to do it. Pembrokeshire has a unique combination of clean, sheltered water in the Milford Haven waterway and the open ocean. This provides an excellent progression from easy to hard conditions. Perfect for kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.
National Parks
Pembrokeshire is one of Britain's special places with almost a third being in the National Park, including just about all of the Coast. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of only 12 British National Park and the only one to be all coastal, highlighting just how special the scenery is. The extra protection from development that the National Park provides is one of the reasons why Pembrokeshire remains undeveloped and unspoiled. Two inland areas: The Preseli Hills and part of the Daugleddau Estuary or secret waterway are also in the National Park. The National Trust owns quite a lot of the Pembrokeshire Coastline, around Bosherston, Lydstep, Marloes, Solva, St Davids, Porthgain and Dinas. These landscapes have been protected as part of the Neptune Coastline Campaign which has been running since 1965. Other protected areas include the Marine Nature Reserve around the Marloes Peninsula and the Island bird sanctuaries of Skomer, Skokholm, Grassholm and Ramsey.
Arts and Crafts
The distinctive landscape of Pembrokeshire has been the inspiration for generations of artistic people. Modern day artists are the latest in a long tradition of creative people that has included Beatrix Potter, Augustus John, Graham Sutherland and Dylan Thomas in the past. Modern day Pembrokeshire boasts a thriving community of Arts & Crafts people working in wood, metal, textiles, ceramics, photography and of course, on canvas, with styles ranging from traditional landscape painting to fantastically colourful abstract art. Every corner of Pembrokeshire has its artists and craftsmen but visit Narberth, Tenby, St Davids & Stepaside if you're looking for several in close proximity.
Local Cusine
Other distinctive specialities include locally produced food such as award winning farmhouse cheeses and baking, fish & shellfish & preserves, organic meat & vegetables. Look out for the Pembrokeshire Produce mark, which identifies local food producers. Haverfordwest Farmers Market is held on alternate Friday's in the town centre. The BBC's good food magazine voted it one of the top 6 farmers markets in the UK and it's a properly certified farmers market too. Farmers markets are also held at Fishguard Town Hall on alternate Saturdays or try the daily indoor market in Tenby. Visit Llangloffan Farm at Castlemorris to see the cheesemaking process from start to finish followed by the chance to try some of the award winning cheeses they produce. Also try Llanboidy and Caws Cenarth cheeses both of which are true taste award winners. True taste is the 'Oscar' of Welsh foods.
Attractions
One of the best ways to ensure a good holiday, as every parent knows, is keeping kids busy! Most of the family attractions are `hands on' now, so this should be relatively easy to achieve, whether it's bottle feeding young animals or clinging on to white knuckle roller coaster rides, there's plenty of stimulation and fun to be had. Fun Family attractions include Folly Farm Adventure Park at Begelly, The Dinosaur Park at Gumfreston, The Dyfed Shires and Leisure Park near Newport, Herons Brook Leisure Park and Waterfowl Centre at Narberth and Oakwood Coaster County theme park.
Pembrokeshire Area Links
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