If you're going to visit Wales at all, the chances are that you'll come for a holiday, and probably, for a holiday by the sea. North Wales with Rhyl, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and the Lleyn Peninsula is always popular, but Pembrokeshire, with the beautiful coastal path and matchless Tenby has to be the number one holiday choice. Pembrokeshire has much to offer even in the depths of winter – beautiful walks, interesting shopping, all the year round attractions and some great hotels. It also has a real sense of the past, an ever present sense of history to add atmosphere to even the shortest visit.
Twenty First Century Highlights
If what you're looking for is some easily recognisable retail therapy or a few modern attractions, you'll find these in Pembrokeshire. Tenby has a wide variety of independent shops, Narberth is a treasure chest of boutiques, galleries and delicatessens, whilst the county's Farmers' Markets are truly wonderful. The best one has to be at Haverfordwest Riverside market (remaining dates for this year, Christmas markets on December 9th, 16th and 23rd and then every Friday into the New Year), but there are also regular markets in Pembroke and Fishguard. There you'll find fresh meat, local cheese and butter, bread, cakes and vegetables, all locally produced and delicious, a treat at any time of year but especially good at Christmas.
If something other than shopping is on the agenda, Pembrokeshire has a range of other attractions too. There's Folly Farm (home to Wales's only giraffes and a wonderful (under cover) Vintage Funfair and play area for instance. Folly Farm is open at weekends and half-terms in winter and then throughout the summer season from Easter onwards. Manor House Wildlife Park in St. Florence near Tenby is open on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and throughout most of the Christmas holidays as well as at weekends and half terms.
For something a little more sophisticated, there's the Waterwynch Hotel or the St. Bride's Spa Hotel (both offering an assortment of spa treatments and other watery delights) or then there's the BlueStone holiday complex for a winter family holiday (the Kingdom of the Elves is in full swing at the moment to add an extra dimension to a festive break).
Ancient Atmosphere and Historic Castles
When shopping, funfairs, spa treatments and wildlife all begin to pall, Pembrokeshire is full of castles and ancient monuments, from Pembroke Castle where Henry Vll was born to Carew Castle, to Cilgerran in the north of the county with its wonderful views over the river Teifi to Manorbier Castle by the sea.
Go hunting for Ogham stones, the ancient megaliths marked in Ancient Irish runic script and Latin. Explore the country lanes bordered by old stone walls, the churches dedicated to long forgotten saints and the footpaths down to the seashore. Pembrokeshire has something for everybody packed into a remarkably small space, even the UK's smallest city at St. David's. Once you've visited this charming county, it will draw you back time and again.
