Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
Wet your whistle with a glass of the finest Welsh wine from Cwn Deri vineyard. After a spot of wine tasting, take a stroll around the vineyard, or take in the picturesque surroundings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is a restaurant on-site if you get peckish and there is the opportunity to watch the wine-making progress up close.
Browse the farmers market at Haverfordwest and Fishguard and taste some real Welsh food. You could even take some home for later - how about some delicious Welsh cakes or famous laverbread?
Fun Days Out
A chance to see how a traditional farm was run before the introduction of tractors. Facilities include a museum, pony and wagon rides, demonstrations, bottle feeding young animals, play areas, a shop and cafe.
There's lots of fun to be had on the wacky rides at Oakwood, from 'The Bounce' (similar to a human catapult) to 'Snake river falls' (a series of fast moving water rapids).
Folly Farm invites families to enjoy fun, sun and a number of unique activities. Romp around along an outdoor pirate ship or go inside for kid-safe playgrounds in any weather. A giant sandpit complete with functional diggers is available as well as the Follystone Racetrack, Carousel Woods and the new Destruction Playground!
Avondale Glass is a fascinating attraction for travellers of all ages. The business was founded in 1976 by a craftsman who spent time in some of the greatest glass houses in Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Malta and Sweden. Today visitors can watch live demonstrations and browse a stunning collection of fine glass pieces.
Beach
Mwnt Beach - 7.3 Miles (11.7 KM)
This sheltered sandy cove located off the beaten track, is owned by the National Trust. Make your way down the steep steps leading to the beach from the car park or wander one of the short cliff top walks.
Poppit Sands Beach - 9.2 Miles (14.7 KM)
This long sandy beach, situated at the mouth of the Teifi Estuary is backed with sand dunes and is popular for power kiting. Lifeguards patrol this beach in the summer making it safe for summertime bathing.
Abercastle - 22.8 Miles (36.5 KM)
Abercastle beach sits on the Pembrokeshire coast path and would make an excellent picnic stop. A picturesque cove and village with a beach of sand and shingle.
Aber Mawr Bay - 22.9 Miles (36.6 KM)
A remote rural beach with a pebble bank, backed by earthed cliffs. Low tide exposes tree stumps buried in the sand - the remains of a forest drowned by a sudden flood 8000 years ago. The stumps have been perfectly preserved by salt. Soak up the fabulous views from the beach head overlooking the Pembrokeshire coast path. This beach is also popular for swimming, surfing and fishing.
Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - 28.4 Miles (45.4 KM)
Enjoy a relaxing train journey where you can take in the breathtaking views over the seaside town of Aberystwyth. At the summit, you can have a birds eye view of the land and seascape from the worlds largest camera obscura - on a clear day it is possible to see 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales! Also available are fascinating historical displays, a kids play area, a well-stocked gift shop, and a cafe selling delicious home-made snacks.
Pembrey Beach - 29.8 Miles (47.7 KM)
An 8 mile stretch of sandy beach backed by sand dunes - designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are nature trails throughout Pembrey Country Park. Visitors can enjoy clear views across Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and the Gower.(Dogs not allowed onto the beach between May and September)
Biking & Hiking
Llys Y Fran - 22.4 Miles (35.8 KM)
The cycle trail around Llys Y Fran reservoir is 7 1/2 miles of off-road riding that is easy to follow and very well maintained. There is a diverse range of scenery to observe as this trail takes you to the water's edge, into the woods and up and down the little wooded valleys that feed the reservoir. Bikes can be hired at the cafe at the entrance to the park, or you can bring your own bike and ride around for as long as you like.
The 14 mile route visits the sites of the last invasion of Britain which took place in 1797. With 3 steep hills, this cycle trail is not for the faint hearted. The leg out to Strumble Head lighthouse is well worth taking, with both the bird life and the views along the coast making it an ideal picnic spot. The cafe at Tregwynt Woollen Mill is ideally situated two thirds of the way round, just what you need for the steady ascent back up to the top of Stop and Call hill overlooking Goodwick and Fishguard Harbour.
Minwear / Sister's house - 25.1 Miles (40.2 KM)
Spend a few hours walking around the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, ideal for observing ancient trees, lush riverbanks and a wealth of different species of wildlife. You could choose to walk the entire 5.6 miles of this walk or just some of it. Look out for the ancient ruins of Selbech Church along the way.
Golf & Sports
Spend a half day or full day trying your hand at a range of sports including canoeing, archery, rock climbing and kayaking. Transport to and from the centre can be arranged for you and the centre is specially designed to cater for groups with the option to have meals included.
Great if you fancy a swim or a game of squash, this leisure centre offers a wide range of activities for all ages.
RockUp-Climbing is on of the best climbing establishments in the region, it offers specialist training through a wide choice of climbing courses and experiences. The staff are highly trained and professional as well as being really friendly, patient and encouraging enhancing the overall experience. The courses cover all abilities from complete novices, refresher courses or progression courses, as well as Navigation and Mountain skills courses. They supply all the climbing equipment which, is in excellent condition, and you are fully briefed on safety and the jargon associated with climbing. The courses are open to all and will suit families, individuals and groups. If you are seeking a new and thrilling experience amongst some simply stunning landscapes where you will see the Pembrokshire coastline up close then this is the place to go. At RockUp-Climbing you will receive excellent tuition and guidance throughout, be challenged, but will leave with a new confidence and skills.
Blue Lagoon - 25.1 Miles (40.2 KM)
New in 2008, Blue Lagoon is one of Wales' largest indoor water parks. Kids and adults will love it, it?s 'fluming fantastic'. Have some fast-paced fun on the water slides, crash amongst the waves or laze in the lazy river.
Saddle up and get ready to explore Pembrokeshire on horse! This riding school offers lessons from a half hour to half a day. The 28 horses and ponies will be glad to give you a piggy back through the glorious countryside. Beginners and experienced welcome.
Nature Reserves
Located within the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, this eye-catching visitor centre has many informative and interactive displays. There's also an adventure playground, café and gift shop. Canoe trips on the river are available.
Pembrey Nature Reserve is part of Pembrey Forest. It covers 1000 hectares and contains 35 species of butterfly and birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and goshawks. Pembrey forest also forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Gardens & Woodlands
The National Botanic Garden is one of the most visited gardens in Wales and is home to some of the rarest plants in world. Voted 'number 1 wonder of Wales', it has become one of the most popular gardens in the UK.
Located in the stunning Tywi valley of Carmarthenshire, this fine house has a garden that has been described as one of the finest in Wales. Often cited as inspiration for poetry for over 500 years, this beautiful site is as magical as it is mysterious.
Colby woodland garden belongs to the National Trust. It is home to the one of the best collections of rhododendrons and azaleas in Wales. Walk your way up and around the secluded valley on the well-maintained, wooded pathways.
Hafod Uchtryd is classified as probably one of the best examples of an 18th century picture perfect landscape, occupying 200 hectares of the Ystwyth valley and encircling hills it provides stunning views and scenery. There are six different trails on offer, they all vary in length but all will ensure you get the most of this stunning estate, from the magnificent views, cascading waterfalls, gorges, woodland, loads of local wildlife. There is lots of history to the area too and a guided walk will allow you to get the most from this area. Located amongst the estate are a number of structures of interest including an icehouse and obelisk. Hafod Uchtryd is a place of peace and tranquillity as well as stunning beauty. The perfect place for a leisurely walk amongst beautiful surroundings.
Local Attractions
Newcastle Emlyn is a lively town nestling on the meandering Teifi River. It has the ruins of the only Welsh stone castle in the area, but other attractions include antique, craft and numerous book shops, a covered market and a theatre.
The Giant Knitted Cardigan is a local celebrity here in Cardigan. The cardigan came from a simple idea a cardigan for Cardigan, it was to celebrate the towns nine hundred year history and heritage. Then came the hard work from around three hundred members of the local community including children to create the end product, they extends to five metres, and took nine months to create. It comprises of a number of different squares depicting various scenes from Cardigan's history all stitched together. A great level of care and detail has gone into this wonderful piece, that has been beautifully made. A mixture of knitting and embroidery was used in creating the cardigan, an unusual and magnificent piece. It is proving so popular that it now travels around the country on show, check the website to see where it will be next.
Enjoy the latest blockbuster, watch a show, view an exhibition or chat over coffee at Theatre Mwldan, Cardigan's recently redeveloped arts and entertainment complex. It's situated in the centre of Cardigan, an oldmarket town on the beautiful coast of west Wales.
Small World Theatre is located in an individual artistic space in Cardigan. It is an international artist-led arts and culture association, that produces and performs a range of original shows and events, in addition to organising projects and workshops. The venue is welcoming and cosy and well laid out, the seating is almost circular giving the best views of the stage, and the seats are comfortable and spacious. The facilities are modern and the lighting and sound are state of the art. The staff are friendly and approachable. They also organise a range of events and exhibits during the year. They are not afraid to show cutting edge theatre productions. Small World Theatre serves as an important park of the towns cultural influence and is an integral part of the community.
New Quay - 9.6 Miles (15.4 KM)
New Quay is the perfect destination for sightseeing, beach lounging, walking and dolphin spotting. Enjoy a walk along the front to the end of the Quay and watch the boats sail by. Or sit in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour and see the dolphins.
Battlefield Live Pembrokshire offers the most exciting outdoor combat game. They are located in the centre of the Wales Coastal Path amongst the woodland, they have created a jungle environment offering the perfect conditions for a realistic combat experience, with plenty of places to hide and take cover as well as realistic props. The equipment is state of the art and the guns are very realistic in look, weight and feel and they use the newest technology to record your game and this is fed back to your weapon. The staff are superb, they explain everything in detail and offer advice and guidance throughout. Once you have donned your camouflage overalls, got your gun and face paint you are all fired up and ready to go on your mission, it doesn't take long to get immersed in the game. It is a game everyone from age seven upwards can get involved in and makes for a great family or group activity. It is a thrilling and tiring day out with lots of laughs. It is not the cheapest form of entertainment but is fantastic fun and they do have a range of offers so it is worth checking the website for these. Battlefield Live Pembrokshire is well run and organised and they are continually changing the game scenarios to keep them fresh and exciting, assuring you have a fantastic experience, so much so that you will leave wanting to return again and again.
Historical & Heritage Sites
Situated in the picturesque village of Dre-fach Felindre, once the centre of a thriving woollen industry, this flagship museum has a fascinating story to tell. Follow the process from fleece to fabric, watch textiles in production and see historic machinery that changed the face of the industry.
Situated within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Castell Henylls recently shot to fame in the BBC series 'Surviving the Iron Age'. This ancient monument is one of many prehistoric promontory forts in the National Park dating from around 600BC. Traditional craft making and ancient breeds of animal can also be found on site.
This impressively sited castle overlooking the Tywi estuary has been in the hands of both the Normans and Welsh. Admission is free. Pass a couple of hours in the castle before visiting Llansteffan village for a coffee or a wander around the shops.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines are located in the heart of a 2,500 acre estate and positioned on a wooded hillside that oversees the stunning Cothi Valley. Mining here dates back more than 2000 years to the Romans and some of their methods are still evident. But it is the Roman, Victorian and 1930's and the harsh conditions that the miners endured that are focused on here. The mines here continued to be mined until 1938 when they eventually closed. The tour takes you into the actual working mines, and suitable foot wear is recommended owing to the uneven surface and steep slopes, and you must have a certain degree of mobility to be able to do the tour, children in push chairs can do the Victorian tour. You get to wear a miners lamp and when you enter these dark caverns, you will get to see first hand the dark, dank and cramped conditions the miners worked in, with so much effort for little reward, see and hear the mine in operation as well as seeing the actual mine machinery. There is the choice of a free guided tour which, you book on arrival or you can take a self-guided tour, there is the Roman tour and Victorian tour to choose from. The guides are friendly, engaging and very knowledgeable and impart the history in a lively and interesting way with lots of anecdotes You can try your own hand at panning for gold and see how successful you will be, or take one of the many walks around the area, that vary in length and difficulty. There is also an exhibition that you can look around. The mine is open is open from April through to October and there is a charge for entry. There is a nice little gift shop where you can buy some pretty Welsh gold jewellery and other souvenirs and gifts. The tea shop is pleasant and cosy and serves a nice selection of beverages and hot and cold food at reasonable prices. Dolaucothi Mines offers an intriguing insight into a working mine and will interest all ages, the tour is pitched to cater to everyone and with activity sheets and trails the children can get involved, highly recommended if you are in the area.
Tudor Merchant's House is a beautiful 15th century house that is representative of how it would of been in 1500 when it would have been lived in by a wealthy merchant and his family. During your visit you can see the working kitchen, with all the cooking utensils and the table is filled with herbs and fruits they would have used which, only add to the overall atmosphere, you will also see the merchants shop and see how he earned his money. The house is furnished with replica period furniture and a selection of old toys that you can try out. The house covers three floors and there are sheets found around giving you information, facts and traditions about the house and this era in history. Children can dress up in authentic costumes and there are games for them to play. There are also friendly and knowledgeable guides dressed in period costumes there who can answer any questions you might have. The views from the upper floors out over the North Beach Harbour are lovely. Tudor Merchants House is beautifully preserved in time and gives an accurate view of life in this era for the wealthy, very interesting and informative and a great way to learn about the Tudor times especially as you can touch most of the items.
Experience the panoramic views of the black mountain and the colourful Welsh countryside from the craggy hilltop where this fantastic castle lies.
The Vale of Rheidol Railway offers you the opportunity to step back in time to the evocative era of steam travel. This narrow gauge railway was constructed in 1902 and this railroad has been traveling through the stunning scenery of Rheidol Valley for over a century, the route has a number of sharp turns and arduous inclines which, all add to the experience. There are various carriage options, the luxurious First Class Observation Saloon, Third Class or the Open Summer Carriages that allow the fresh air to blow through, any of the carriages gives fantastic views of the panoramic vistas. Your journey will take you through a delightful mixture of landscapes from meadows to craggy mountains as you gradually climb the hillside from Aberystwyth to Devils's Bridge, the journey takes about an hour each way. At the summit there is a cafe and gift shop. You can leave the train at one of the renovated intermediate stations to enjoy the great outdoors or take a walk along many of the trails the valley has to offer and look to the skies to see the birds of prey who habitat here such as Red Kite and Buzzard. There are a number of special events that place during the year so do check the calender to see what is taking place. With friendly staff, amazing scenery and a journey back in time it is an excellent day out for all ages.
