tenby

Tenby is probably the most iconic seaside town in Wales, rivalling places like Mevagissey and Polperro for quaintness and charm. It was awarded a Silver award for the best UK coastal resort at the British Travel awards in 2016, as voted for by the public. Thanks!

Why not sample the delights of this award winning town by spending 48 hours in Tenby - once you get here you'll be hooked for life.

Transport

Tenby has excellent communications including a railway station with a two hourly service from Swansea or the ferry port at Pembroke Dock. Bus services operate all along the south coast and inland to Haverfordwest and Kilgetty.

Tenby harbour has a thriving boating and fishing community as well as the departure point for the Caldey island boats and also the fishing and pleasure tips.

What's in Tenby and near by

Activities

Tenby boasts two great golf courses, a championship links course at Tenby Golf Club and a parkland course at Trefloyne Manor.

For all action head to Battlefield LIVE! in Llanteg, 8 miles east. Think paintballing without the bruises, they use state of the art lasers!

Mackerel fishing trips can be booked at the harbour, or through Tenby Fishing

Marion Davies, a knowledgeable local tourist guide offers a range of ghost and guided walks. Great fun!

Attractions

Tenby has three great beaches; north, south and castle, each with its own character and all facing in different directions so at least one should be sheltered if it happens to be windy.

The National Trust owned Tudor Merchant's House, a fascinating house that has been recreated to look like it would have been in the late 15th century. Younger visitors can dress up as medieval children to get an idea of what it was like to live 500 years ago.

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is on Castle Hill near the harbour is the oldest independent museum in Wales. A lot of their innovative exhibits are designed for children such as a Beware! Pirates! Exhibit that includes dressing up as a pirate.

St Catherine's island is home to a Palmerston fort and a WW2 Anti aircraft gun placement. Visitors the island are welcome. For opening times search Saint Catherine's Island on facebook it is the best place due to tides and weather.

Caldey Island, just offshore from Tenby South Beach is owned by monks of The Cistercian Order and has an active monastery. Attractions on the island include the 12thCentury Priory, Museum, Perfume Shop on Tea Gardens plus one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. There is a guesthouse and self catering accommodation on the island for retreats. Regular boat trips run from Tenby harbour to Caldey Island when the tide is in. When the tide is out, the harbour is dry, so a pontoon off Castle Beach is used. Caldey Island was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1997.

There are a number of large tourist attractions in the vicinity. Closest is Tenby Dinosaur Park on the way to St Florence. Heatherton is a mile further away on the same road and Manor House Wildlife Park owned by Anna Ryder Richardson of Changing Rooms fame, is on the opposite side of the road. In a slightly different direction, Folly Farm is about 5 miles away.

Food and Drink 

When visiting Tenby there is one must! good old fish and chips!! and you won’t find a better chippy in Tenby than Park Road Fish & Chip Shop, head towards the multi-storey carpark and you can’t fail to miss it!

As for restaurants you are spoilt for choice in Tenby. You won’t find chain restaurants but what you will find is quality places to eat whatever your budget. We recommend On Georges, The Plantagenet, The Stables, The Baytree, Florentinos & El Caminetto

The Billycan is one of our favourites or Top Joe’s pizzeria in Upper Frog Street, which was named the second best pizzeria in the UK by trip-advisor in 2013. 

If you are looking for cocktails then The Cove is the place to go, and real ales can be found in many pubs but the Tenby Harbour Brewery or the Tap & Tan come highly recommended

The History of Tenby

The original town of Tenby was called Dinbych y Pysgod in Welsh or "little town of fishes". It was established by The Normans as a fortified town. Most of the old town walls remain, enclosing the medieval town behind them. The castle that defended Tenby was built on Castle Hill but only one small keep tower remains of that. Inside the old town walls, narrow cobbled streets and medieval houses add to Tenby’s charm.

During Georgian and Victorian times, Tenby became a popular seaside resort. The promenades on both sides of the old town on the Esplanade and the Norton both contribute to the outstanding architectural look of the town.

The classic postcard view of Tenby harbour is from The Norton, a road that runs along the cliff top above North Beach.

The Victorian seaside development on the west side of town, outside the town walls, was fairly limited so doesn't detract from the general ambience of the town. The imposing hotels along The Esplanade look over Tenby's South Beach towards Caldey Island.

The centre of Tenby is a maze of narrow little streets. The roads are pedestrianised during the day in summer when the bars and restaurants set up al fresco seating. There are plenty of interesting and quirky shops. Tenby was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1972