Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro) is the westernmost county in South Wales. Pembrokeshire's coast is its most dramatic geographic feature, created by the complex geology of the area. It is a varied landscape which includes high sea cliffs, wide sandy beaches, the large natural harbour of Milford Haven, and several offshore islands which are home to seabird colonies.

There are many prehistoric sites in Pembrokeshire, particularly in the Preseli Mountains. During the Middle Ages several castles were built by the Normans, such as Pembroke and Cilgerran, and St David's Cathedral became an important pilgrimage site.

Towns and villages

51°51′0″N 4°55′12″W

Map of Pembrokeshire

51.882-5.2691 St Davids (Welsh: Tyddewi) — the UK's smallest city.
51.9982-4.980412 Fishguard (Abergwaun) — ferry boat to Rosslare in Ireland
51.8-4.973 Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd) — historic market town, often missed by visitors in the dash for the coast.
51.71418-5.042744 Milford Haven (Aberdaugleddau) — one of the UK's largest ports, its docks have been redeveloped for tourism and leisure activities.
51.7989-4.74235 Narberth (Arberth) — "one of the liveliest, most likeable little towns in the UK".
52.01975-4.836076 Newport (Trefdraeth or Tudraeth) — a small town with a Norman castle.
51.67604-4.91587 Pembroke (Penfro) — Pembroke Castle has intact towers and walls, and breathtaking views of the town.
51.6745-4.70448 Tenby (Dinbych-y-pysgod) — mediaeval walled town and elegant seaside resort.
51.957914-5.1227369 Abercastle (Abercastell) — a small fishing village with a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber
51.934295-5.20568310 Abereiddy (Abereiddi) — home of the Blue Lagoon flooded slate quarry.
51.73-4.6611 Amroth — the south-to-north start of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
51.78-5.112 Broad Haven ((Aber Llydan) — a seaside village in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park that is a base for walkers, wind surfers, water sports, bird watching and geology.
51.65-4.8713 Freshwater East (Aberfawr) — a village with an attractive sandy bay surrounded by dunes, woodland and wetlands.
51.726443-5.08572614 Herbrandston — a small uncommercialised village with a larfe sandy beach.
51.73-4.8715 Lawrenny — a popular place for boating and water-skiing.
51.6459-4.796616 Manorbier (Maenorbŷr) — a popular destination for Manorbier Castle, St James's Church, the sandy beach, cliffs, and part of the Wales Coast Path.
51.856389-5.12611117 Newgale (Niwgwl) — a village with a three-mile stretch of beach, with rugged coastal scenery and a path winding up and down the cliffs.
51.948-5.18118 Porthgain — a small fishing harbour village.
51.711389-4.719 Saundersfoot (Llanussyllt) — a nice place to relax as it's beach is not too crowded
51.874-5.19420 Solva (Solfach) — a popular boating centre with one of the most picturesque harbours in Wales.

Other destinations

51.8333-5.083331 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro) is Britain's only coastal national park. It is known for its rugged cliffs, many sandy beaches, and coastal footpath.

It includes several islands, the largest being 51.7375-5.2952 Skomer and 51.865301-5.3412573 Ramsey Island .

Understand

Most of the coast is protected by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and can be hiked on the 190-mile (310-km) Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

The interior of Pembrokeshire is relatively flat and gently undulating, with the exception of the Preseli Mountains in the north.

Visitor information

Visit Pembrokeshire website

Get in

By boat

Ferries from Pembroke Dock and Fishguard connect the area with Rosslare in Ireland.

Irish Ferries

By train

The main line from Cardiff and Swansea passes through Carmarthen on the way to Haverfordwest and Fishguard.

Arriva Trains Wales

By bus

Public transport to Pembroke includes local and national bus lines.

By plane

Cardiff Airport (CWL^IATA) is the closest major airport and offers scheduled domestic and international flights to Europe, Africa and North America.

Get around

There is a bus service linking Haverfordwest, St Davids and Fishguard, but most travellers will drive, cycle or walk.

A comprehensive network of local bus services run throughout Pembrokeshire and to adjoining counties including Coastal buses that travel around the area.

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See

Cathedral and Bishop's Palace in St Davids
Castles of Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Manorbier
Standing stones near Newport and Abercastle
Carew tidal mill

Do

Kayaking available from a number of companies, including a couple in Fishguard.
Coasteering from Abercastle and Abereiddy
Boat trips to see the landscape and wildlife, from locations such as St Davids and Milford Haven
Adventure parks in Narberth, Tenby and Saundersfoot
Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Beaches at Abercastle, Abereiddy, Amroth, Broad Haven, Herbrandston, Manorbier, Newgale, Saundersfoot

Go next

This region travel guide to Pembrokeshire is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.