Pembrokeshire
View from headland at Freshwater West
There is so much for you to enjoy in Pembrokeshire. From beaches, coastal paths, pretty villages, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, water sports and many other amusements. Below is some information you may find useful.
Read the Journal for more in-depth information on local attractions.
Tenby
Tenby is 4.8 miles or five to ten minute drive from the cottage. It has three beautiful sandy beaches, and is perhaps best known for its pastel coloured houses up on the hill. Enclosed behind the old castle walls are cobbled streets lined with shops and restaurants. A busy and bustling seaside resort with a harbour. The beaches are North Beach, Castle Beach and South Beach. Perfect for a whole day beach trip or mooch around the shops and cafes. There are multiple boat trips from Tenby harbour including fishing trips, Seal Safaris, Island cruises and trips around the coast. North Beach is wonderful for a morning sunrise in the autumn and winter months.
All three beaches are Blue Flag beaches. Toilets available. Refreshments on South Beach including ice cream. There are life guards here in mid to high season. South Beach Car Park
Saundersfoot Harbour
Saundersfoot is 5.3 miles or a fifteen minute drive from the cottage it has a harbour and long stretch of golden sand. There are plenty of opportunities to buy ice cream here. There are many gift shops, restaurants and bars on offer. Saundersfoot is perfect for a whole day beach trip, Crabbing, Sea Safaris, water sports and a fish and chip supper on the Beach. When the tide is out you can walk along the beach to the smaller Coppet Hall beach.
This is a Blue Flag beach. Toilets available. There are life guards here in high season. Saundersfoot Harbour Car Park
Coppet Hall
Coppet Hall Beach is 5.7 miles or a fifteen minute drive from the cottage and is owned by the Hean Castle Estate. This is a little slice of heaven in Pembrokeshire and will forever be a firm favourite for a whole day beach trip. It is the perfect place for paddle boarding - lessons and SUP hire available from Good Trails in the Coppet Hall Beach Centre. The loos are perfect and very well looked after. When the tide is out there are lots of rock pools to explore. There is a tunnel which leads to Wisemans Bridge perfect for a seaside stroll.
This is a Blue Flag beach. Toilets available. Refreshments including ice cream from The Kiosk and Coast Restaurant. There are life guards here in high season. Coppet Hall Beach Car Park.
Manorbier
Manorbier Bay is 3.7 miles or ten minute drive from the cottage and offers stunning headland to explore, a beach and Castle. More rustic than its neighbouring beaches it is fairly secluded and off the beaten track. Gaining the Green Coast Beach Award it is perfect for sunset strolls and beach fires into the evening. We love it for a seaside sunset. This beach is often popular with surfers due to its south westerly orientation. Be warned there are strong currents and no lifeguards here. Please take care in the sea.
Basic toilets available in the car park. Refreshments from Cafe Du Barri in the castle grounds. There are no life guards. Manorbier Bay car park.
Barafundle Bay
Award winning Barafundle Bay is part of the Stackpole Estate looked after by the National Trust. Barafundle Bay is 9.1 miles or a twenty-five minute drive from the cottage and offers a secluded stretch of golden sand. A little like a Caribbean beach it is more exotic than its neighbouring beaches and accessed by a half mile stretch of the coastal path from Stackpole Quay - it really is worth the walk. We love this beach as part of a coastal path wander and it’s perfect for a picnic lunch to recharge. The coastal path is easily accessed from either end of the beach and offers amazing views. There are no facilities on the beach The Boathouse Tearooms is located at Stackploe Quay where the nearest toilets are too. Barafundle is close to Broadhaven South and Bosherston Lily Ponds and can be easily reached on foot.
No toilets on beach. No Refreshments. There are no life guards. Stackpole Quay Car Park.
Freshwater East
Just 6.7 miles or a twenty minute drive to Freshwater East where the beach is more rugged than Tenby and Saundersfoot. This is one of our favourite beaches. With a large stretch of golden sand backed by dunes this is the perfect place for beach BBQ’s and paddle boarding. We tend to come here for whole day beach trips or in the colder months for a wander along the beach and dunes. We have never seen this beach over crowded, there is always plenty of space for all.
Basic toilets available in the car park. Refreshments usually from an ice cream van in the car park in high season. There are no life guards. Freshwater East Car Park
Freshwater West
Only 14 miles or a thirty minute drive form the cottage Freshwater West is a wild stretch of golden sand looked after by the National Trust. Backed by dunes and rocks this is a dramatic stretch of the Pembrokeshire coastline. Famous for being the location of Dobby’s Shell Cottage in Harry Potters The Deathly Hallows, fans have made a grave for Dobby in the dunes. There are huge areas of rockpools to explore and plenty of space when the tide is out for kite flying or beach sports. This beach is ideal for a sunset. Due to the south westerly facing position of the beach it is perhaps Pembrokeshires most popular destination for Surfing. Be warned there are strong currents and no life guards here. Please take care in the sea.
Basic toilets available in the car park. No Refreshments here - sadly Cafe Mor has recently closed and as off 2022 will no longer be in the car park There are no life guards. Freshwater West Car Park
Broad Haven South
Broad Haven South (not to be confused with Broad Haven Beach) is one of the many beaches owned by the Stackpole Estate and looked after by the National Trust. It is only 12 miles or a 27 minute drive from the cottage. This is a family friendly beach with clear water and beautiful golden sand backed by dunes. Broad Haven South is one of the Pembrokeshire Dark Sky Discovery Sites and is great for star gazing late into the evening. From the car park there are a number of steep steps to walk down to get onto the Beach which can be tricky with arms full of beach paraphernalia, but well worth it. There is another way to access the beach from Bosherston Lily Ponds, but is a long way from the car park at Bosherston.
This may be our No. 1 favourite beach in South Pembrokeshire. Always a treat for the soul with the most amazing sunset skies.
Basic toilets next to car park. No Refreshments. There are no life guards. National Trust car park SA71 5DZ drive past Trefalen Farm to access the car park
Dingle Farm shop
We recently discovered this little gem less than 1 mile from the cottage. It is a fabulous ‘shack’ selling local produce including eggs, vegetables, jams and preserves and the most delicious looking home made cakes. To get there take the road out of St Florence that goes past the school, turn left at the end of the road and you will shortly see Dingle Farm on the right. Stopping is easy enough in the entrance next to the barn. It is basically a small shed filled with very yummy things with an honesty box to pay. To welcome you there are a couple of dogs clearly enjoying the freedom to roam who are very docile.
Bubbleton Farm shop
3.6 miles from the cottage Bubbleton Farm shop is on the road between Lydstep and Penally (A4139). It has a good selection of local produce including Beer, Jams and Preserves, Cheese and locally sourced vegetables and meat. There is an excellent cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating. There is a small selection of animals to feed including chickens, goats and pigs, perfect to entertain little ones for a while. If you are on the coastal path between Lydstep and Tenby it’s easy to take a detour across farmland to have a pit stop in the cafe. The cake here is amazing and well worth a visit.
The Copper Hog
Tenby’s finest Butcher and Deli 4.9 miles form the cottage.
If you would like to buy fresh locally sourced good quality meat The Copper Hog is the place you want. There is one in both Tenby and Saundersfoot. They stock a wide variety of cuts and in the summer have beef patties and a range of kebabs ready for the BBQ. We generally always make a visit for meat during any stay at the Cottage.
Parking at Five Arches car park is good for shopping in Tenby.
Narberth
Narberth is 15 miles or a 25 minute drive from the Cottage. A sweet market town with an impressive array of independent shops. The High Street is lined with gift shops, antique shops, delis, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. It is well worth a visit. Some of our favourites include The Golden Sheaf Gallery, Six The High Street , Verde, Bazaar, Hwb Tap and Food Hall, The Happy Planet Green Store and Ultracomida (see next profile).
If you have a special occasion to celebrate there is a luxury Country House Hotel nearby called The Grove. Set in beautiful grounds it offers an impressive variety of dining experiences from Afternoon Tea to Fine Dining in the Fernery Restaurant. Using their own kitchen garden and other fine local produce it all sounds delicious. We have yet to try The Grove but it is most definitely on our list.
Ultracomida
Fabulous Spanish Deli and Restaurant.
Ultracomida is a frequent haunt for us. A Spanish deli in the market town of Narberth. Not only a restaurant they stock charcuterie meats, olives, cheese, wine, beer and sherry. They have lots of advice to offer and we always make a trip here for a bottle of sherry and other treats. It is well worth a visit. There is a car park close to the High Street.
Indie Burger
Dine in and takeaway available
Just 5 miles from the cottage with a good selection of delicious burgers on offer, all served with house fries, Indie Burger is very tasty and reasonably priced. With good reviews this is a great option for either eat in or takeaway dining in Tenby.