Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Tourism And Travel Guide

Pembrokeshire is the only coastline in the UK where there’s a Coastal National Park, making it an ideal destination for active breaks and adventurous holidays! Tourism in Pembrokeshire on one hand has award-winning beaches that spoil you for choices, while there are other sites as well that come alive in spring and during autumn with idyllic sights with wildlife parks, castles, boat trips and exciting sightings of marine life.

Popular sporting events like the Red Bull Cliff Diving and Ironmen have led to a variety of legends along the coastline, driving Pembrokeshire to be in the spotlight across the world and the county’s known to be one of the 5 best national parks on the planet, also crowned as 2018’s holiday destination by BBC Countryfile Magazine. Here’s a travel guide to help you find your way around in Pembrokeshire.

By Air:

The cheapest way of reaching Pembrokeshire from India is to fly from Delhi to Manchester and then make the onward journey by train at an estimated cost of INR 55,000 one way in about 20 hours and 33 minutes, while the fastest way would be to fly to London Heathrow in roughly 17 hours and 42 minutes and then take a train to Pembrokeshire. This option would cost you approx. INR 80,000.

By Train:

On arrival at Manchester, you will find trains for Wilmslow every hour for INR 220-320 (approx.) and then from Wilmslow to Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, a train at an estimated fare of INR 6.500-11,000, every 5 hours. The train journey takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train from London Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 for London Paddington and then to Swansea and finally to Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire.

By Road:

The distance between Cardiff and Pembrokeshire is roughly 160km on road and there are direct buses from Cardiff Coach Station, Sophia Gardens to Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire every day, once a day for a total travel time of 3 hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive down or take an Uber from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire and reach there in about 1 hour and 48 minutes.

Getting Around:

Your travel to the coast and popular countryside areas is made easier in Pembrokeshire with an efficient and accessible network of coach services that are operational in every town in the county, at least 6 days a week. Alternatively, the train service is another useful means of travel between towns and a scenic mode of getting through to the countryside.

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus Service is completely accessible by bus through the 300km stretch, right from Dogmaels to Amroth, allowing you to walk the coastal path in a single direction, without having to go back.

Spring (March-May):

A perfect time to walk the coastal path and witness Pembrokeshire come to life is during spring, when you’ll find an abundance of wildflowers & butterflies all around you and the flowers bump into each other to get the first rays of the warm spring sun, leading to a riot of colors leaving you spellbound! With a blend of cool and wet weather conditions, spring is one of the ideal times to witness the county’s natural glory.

Summer (June-August):

The period between June through August witnesses occasional warmer days and longer at that, with possible steamy and overcast conditions as well. Summers are rather pleasant in Pembrokeshire and perfect to explore the countryside, the coastline and breathe in the scenic views to the fullest.

Fall (September-November):

Fall time can be moderately pleasant from the beginning of September, leading up to chillier days in November. For those who prefer tranquility to the summer rush, autumn is a good time to visit the coastline and witness the fall colors, experiencing day time temperatures of 11°C to 18°C.

Winter (December-February):

Winter’s at its shortest days and the coldest time of the year with somewhat crisp and clear conditions in Pembrokeshire, so if you’re a warm-weather enthusiast, you won’t really enjoy this period. However, if you love snowfall, then with an average temperature of 8°C-10°C, December through February would be a visual treat for you.

Sailing:

With a blend of incredible rugged coastline, broad beaches and several harbors to moor in, mooring or sailing is something you can enjoy, when in Pembrokeshire. Focused mainly on Milford Haven waterway, a 22-mile natural harbor with deep waters, there are marina facilities available here and at Neyland, where most of a sailor’s requirements can be met, right from charters to chandleries. The haven has the perfect setting for a quiet sailing experience in a variety of dinghies and cruisers.

Surfing:

With over 50 beaches with ample novice beach breaks and a majority of the coastline being a National Park, Pembrokeshire has the best and most stable waves, given the southwest winds and a free southwest-facing beach, inclusive of the most beautiful scenic views and cleanest waters in Britain. You can enjoy surfing at some of the top beaches in Pembrokeshire.

Scuba Diving:

The waters around Middleholm Islands, Skokholm & Skomer are the crowning jewels in Pembrokeshire underwater and form a portion of the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve that cater to all levels and depths in the realm of Scuba Divine. This is an activity that has a treasure trove of marine habitats and a different world beneath the waves, with occasional sightings of seals, porpoise & dolphins, in addition to over 350 shipwrecks that are known to clutter the waters.

Walking:

You will love walking around the Pembrokeshire landscape, with fresh air, magnificent bays and gorgeous headlands of Britain’s Coastal National Park winding its way around you. A spectacular setting for those who enjoy walking, Pembrokeshire has the perfect assortment of picturesque seaside towns, headlands, beaches and cliffs to stretch their legs, along with the ancient woodlands, the Preseli Hills and quiet valleys just as glorious as the coastline.

Sea Kayaking:

Explore Pembrokeshire’s coastline by Kayaking along the pristine seaside with its extensive marine and birdlife. Drift past the seals, rest on a secluded beach or explore the captivating & mysterious caves, whilst enjoying the waves in some of UK’s finest beaches.

Mountain Biking:

Pembrokeshire has scores of off-road riding bridleways, forest tracks and trails for biking around the Canaston Woods through ancient copses. You can also go climbing the 536m high Preseli Mountains with glorious sights of the Pembrokeshire county.

Pembrokeshire, until now wasn’t really known for its food, however with the advent of new crops on the block, sourcing local produce, the county’s become a top-notch place for its gourmet delights! A cluster of pastel-colored constructs and tiny lanes hides some of the best eateries down the tightest pathways in Pembrokeshire, of which Plantagenet is a lair of flagstone floors, a 40ft medieval chimney and exposed beams, popular for its spring onion risotto and fried bream fillet on a prawn. The Tudor Lodge, located just 4 miles from the Jameston Village is known for its fully cooked breakfast with both small and large portions that will tempt you to eternity!

The lighthouse kitchen in Tenby serves scallops, hake along with generous portions of bacon, laverbread and eggs, Gower mussels with acqua pazza fisherman's stews for lunch, while the Cwm Deri Vineyard And Estate shop is stocked with a rich range of beers, ports, gins and sparkling wine with Welsh champagne.

Go vintage with Giddy Aunt in Narbeth with its assortment of recycling clothing with a bespoke retro theme and mid-century lifestyle items or visit the Newport Collective for an interesting and diverse range of jewelry, pottery, photography, clothing and handcrafted wooden items, all for nearly 2 dozen of Pembrokeshire’s  Northern segment of artists. Then, there’s the Carningli Centre which is like a rabbit hole packed with remarkable knick-knacks that include antique items, artifacts, books and a lot of railway equipment. The Caldey Abbey shop in Tenby is renowned for gifts and souvenirs with jam & honey made locally, essential oils, organic soaps and perfumes as well, all made by monks on Caldey Island. Another must-visit joint is the Melin Tregwynt, which has been around since 1912 and is a traditional woolen mill known for some of the best blankets, upholstery and cushions in Wales.