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

• 1 St Davids (Welsh: Tyddewi) — the UK's smallest city.
• 2 Fishguard (Abergwaun) — ferry boat to Rosslare in Ireland
• 3 Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd) — historic market town, often missed by visitors in the dash for the coast.
• 4 Milford Haven (Aberdaugleddau) — one of the UK's largest ports, its docks have been redeveloped for tourism and leisure activities.
• 5 Narberth (Arberth) — "one of the liveliest, most likeable little towns in the UK".
• 6 Newport (Trefdraeth or Tudraeth) — a small town with a Norman castle.
• 7 Pembroke (Penfro) — Pembroke Castle has intact towers and walls, and breathtaking views of the town.
• 8 Tenby (Dinbych-y-pysgod) — mediaeval walled town and elegant seaside resort.
• 9 Abercastle (Abercastell) — a small fishing village with a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber
• 10 Abereiddy (Abereiddi) — home of the Blue Lagoon flooded slate quarry.
• 11 Amroth — the south-to-north start of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
• 12 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.
• 13 Freshwater East (Aberfawr) — a village with an attractive sandy bay surrounded by dunes, woodland and wetlands.
• 14 Herbrandston — a small uncommercialised village with a larfe sandy beach.
• 15 Lawrenny — a popular place for boating and water-skiing.
• 16 Manorbier (Maenorbŷr) — a popular destination for Manorbier Castle, St James's Church, the sandy beach, cliffs, and part of the Wales Coast Path.
• 17 Newgale (Niwgwl) — a village with a three-mile stretch of beach, with rugged coastal scenery and a path winding up and down the cliffs.
• 18 Porthgain — a small fishing harbour village.
• 19 Saundersfoot (Llanussyllt) — a nice place to relax as it's beach is not too crowded
• 20 Solva (Solfach) — a popular boating centre with one of the most picturesque harbours in Wales.

Other destinations

1 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 2 Skomer and 3 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.

• National Express
• Arriva Bus Wales
• First Cymru

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.

• Richards Bros

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

• Ceredigion
• Carmarthenshire