Tenby is a beautiful & historic fishing town in Wales. Perched on a picturesque hilltop in Pembrokeshire, this is the most beautiful city on the seafront in West Wales. You see, this town has some exciting places that suit everyone, and they also have historical castles, sandy beaches, and many delicious dining areas. Honestly, you will find plenty of great things to do at Tenby on a trip. It offers something for everyone, including historical castles, sand beaches, and many delectable restaurants.
The city has several Blue Flag beaches, which cover primarily intact 13th-century stone walls. The old trading centre of Tenby Harbour has now lined with charming and colourful houses filled with delicious cafes and delicious dining. Adding to this a ruinous castle, a tidal fortress, theme parks, and a holy Island, it is not hard to see how Tenby has become an important tourist destination. When you go to Wales, the best beach in Tenby, check out the rest of the listings. They may surprise you!
In all honesty, there are so many great things to do in Tenby that you won’t know where to start.
A List of 25 Best Things to Do in Tenby
Beautiful Beaches
Find the perfect place to spend quality time with your child on Tenby’s beautiful beaches. Besides the charming Harbour Beach, three other beaches are Castle Beach, North Beach, and South Beach – take your decision.
Tenby Castle Beach
Castle Beach, a Sunday Times Beach of the Year, is a little yet nicely sculpted beach. Use the convenient slipway to descend to this Blue Flag beach, feel the gentle sand beneath your toes, and dip in the shallow water to cool off. This energetic little beach, especially well-liked by families, is the perfect location for playing with the kids. Plus, fabulous ice cream is nearby!
Between the town’s two beaches is a peninsula where Tenby Castle is located. The Normans constructed it in the 12th century, and during the following one hundred years, it was frequently assaulted, looted, and taken.
The smallest of Tenby’s three sandy beaches, Castle Beach is just around 150m wide and gets even smaller during high tide. St. Catherine’s Island, with its historic fort, divides it in half when the wave is out. The sand forms a continuous 2-mile stretch of golden beach with South Beach at low tide. The presence of a broad strip of soft, dry sand with a sloped at Castle Beach. It is firm lower down, dipping left and reasonably level right. A stone entrance opens up to a steep, patched concrete and tarmac slope that is reasonably smooth and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Barafundle Beach
Barafundle beach is a popular tourist attraction near the town of Tenby. Golden soft sandy beach and crystal-clear seas are flanked by rocky hills on both sides and backed by dunes with pine trees creating an idyllic environment. The bay is very protected, and the waves are typically small, which is ideal for young families.
A short half-mile walk separates the nearest parking lot from this tiny bay, surrounded by dunes and pine trees. Barafundle has been selected countless times as one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain and the entire world, an extensive comparison to the Caribbean beach. Since there are no facilities at this lonely, spotless beach, you must bring anything you take back up over the rocks.
Ensure you have enough beach to roam on and protect from the approaching tide.
If you have 48 hours in Pembroke, there are numerous attractions, including Barafundle.
You may obtain parkable cars in Stackpole Quay car parks, and those with a vehicle can quickly get on the highway. The beaches are large and well-equipped, and the car park may get packed on a warm summer day, so come early. There’s not much to offer on the shore, but Stackpole Quay provides an official café, car park, and toilets. It’s an incredible place.
North & South Beach
Ideally, large and sandy beaches will be your first choice. North beach is located near the harbour, and South beach extends Castle Beach if tides drop. The beach at Tenby is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions in the city. Relax and have a fantastic view, build a beach castle or play water sports. Tenby Water Sport combines adrenaline-filled jetskis with a chilled-out kayak for an easy way out of town.
Tenby lies dotted with golden beaches. You’ve never come across a British country where the beaches are so close. North Beach has been the most photographed spot in America. An angled strip of sand splits between the rocky cliffs of Goskar that looks by rows of pastel houses.
This tranquil beach has three side walls and is ideal for families. There is a bathroom and cafe on the promenade overlooking the beach, a deck chair, and a kayak rental for the whole day. Tenby South Beach has that feel. Several miles wide, supported on the shores of dunes, it is slightly wilder but ruggeder.
Read Here >> Fun Things to DO in LONDON this Weekend
Tenby Theme Parks
Tenby is filled with great places to spend your weekend holiday with your family. It has many theme parks, including Folly Farm Adventure Park, Oakwood Theme Park, Dinasour Park, and National Park Centre.
Spend Time with the Animals at Folly Farm Adventure Park
It is the location to be if you love animals. Welcome to more than 100 species of wildlife, such as majestic lions, sly penguins, and endangered rhinos. Additionally, for any Peppa fans in the family—there must be one or two—at the barn, your little ones can meet the adorable, fluffy rabbits, tiny horses, and even pigs!
Choose from long-legged giraffes, pirate ships, or adventure play parks at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, where the wild animals come to life.
Folly Farm is one of those beautiful places for family visits around Tenby. Visit the adorable Red Pandas and Sloths, and make a trip through Vintage Fairgrounds. Larger kids can test their skills in the mini CAT digger, and adults and kids alike can unleash their inner Formula 1 drivers in the electric Go Kart.
Enjoy some thrill-seeking at Oakwood Theme Park.
Visit Oakwood Theme Park and meet Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Charlie Bucket, and all your favourite fairytale characters. A fun-filled amusement park with tonnes of inviting rides and a dash of fantasy! Also, did you know that it is Wales’ largest theme park? Unquestionably, it’s a must-see attraction!
Looking for family-friendly amusement park rides that the kids will love? For a spin-tactic trip that will have you floating back and forth and whirling in circles, try out the Dizzy Disk and hop aboard! The Bobsleigh, what about it? Hold tight as you race down the Bobsleigh slide with a group or yourself.
The sledges get quicker as you travel down. The Treetop might be the right choice if you’re seeking an incredible adventure. High in the treetops, go through the forested areas surrounding Oakwood Theme Park. And it is a family favourite because it can twist, bend, and plummet through the canopy. After that, if you have the courage, try the Spook 3D Haunted House!
On Spooky Street, home to all the gruesome creatures in Oakwood, you can meet frightful ghosts and monsters. Test your nerve on the “Creepy Crawler” ride and go through the “Witch Hunt” terrifying maze (only if you dare). Jump about on the Cauldrons’ miniature trampolines before refuelling with a delicious supper at the Haunt pizzeria. From there, travel to Neverland, where you can embark on a daring adventure with the Lost Boys on the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship.
National Park Centre
Spend your time on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park from this friendly centre and store. It is situated in the five archipelagos, the fortress on the impressive Medieval wall of Tenby. The beach offers secluded beaches and a variety of fun outdoor activities for kids if they wish.
On the border of Mynydd Illtyd Common, the National Park Visitor Center offers fantastic chances for moderate terrain walking while providing breathtaking views of the Central Beacons. The trail to Twyn Y Gaer, the peak of which is home to an Iron Age hill fort, is our most well-liked hike. The Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains are prominent in all directions from this location.
The best of Tenby, Saundersfoot, the surrounding communities, and the Pembrokeshire Coast are all celebrated in Tenby.
The Streets of Tenby
Tenby is an endless network of paths passing through lovely pastel homes. It will take no longer to walk nearly every street of the old Georgia city centre, but keep an eye on the highlights. Tudor Merchants House has been a landmark in Tenby for almost 500 years.
The museum has been restored and is beautifully reflected on rich 16th-century life by the government. The area has an excellent preservation area that runs from White Lion Street along South Parade to the South Florence Parade. The most spectacular sights are, however, the 5 Arches Gate, a great place of residence.
Manorbier & Shrinkle Haven
If you don’t go to Manorbier for surfing lessons, you should go. Manorbier Castle has a prime location on the shore and consists of medieval castle turrets surrounded by a fairytale garden. Manicured grasses blend beautifully with the crumbling castle walls.
Some excellent examples of vertical ridged cliff erosion are just a short stroll eastwards along the coast from Manorbier. The splendid natural arch at Church Doors; a delicate finger of rock at Shrinkle Haven; and the splendid Dolmen of Kings Quorn in the See everything within a two-hour walk or have parking nearby for your entrance or exit.
Harbourfront
It isn’t the prettiest area in Tenby, but it screams action, especially at dawn. All cruise ships depart at Tenby Harbour at Sea. Take part in local fishery trips to catch mackerel, sail at sunset, and see the coastline in the evening. Wilderness tours offer a chance to see puffins, razorbills, gannets, and occasionally seals.
However, although famous for the colourful house row fronts, Tenby Harbour maintains a working fishing village feel. The sea wall surrounds fishing boats delivering fish of all days and the tourist vessels preparing for a journey out into the ocean.
St Govan’s Chapel
St Govan Chapel is a small house that measures just 19 x 12. The gap in the cliff makes this an enjoyable activity near Tenby.
You can go into the tiny chapel and look into the little hollow area. The rock below this chapel is ideal for photographing this unusual location. Alternately, walk to the top and take the headline to the top. St. Govan is about 30 minutes drive from Tenby. Occasionally military forces close the site for operational purposes, so be careful before leaving.
Paddleboard or Kayak in the Bay
While Tenby has a worn natural charm many find very appealing, its biggest attraction has to be the beautiful landscape surrounding the bay’s shoreline. Tenby has a fantastic opportunity to see the city from another perspective.
The protected cove in North Beach is easily accessible and makes Tenby a fantastic place to stand-up paddleboard and kayak. The outer reef provides a range of activities with all the skills required, including individual and group lessons for both activities and all the necessary equipment. When someone knows how to act, they give them the equipment. There are surf lessons.
Tenby Pembrokeshire Coast Around Stackpole
This 3-hour hike in southwestern Oregon has many advantages and disadvantages for visitors. This tour explores some of Pembrokeshire’s most beautiful seaside towns and the idyllic estate grounds.
This coastal portion traverses beautiful headlands, and views stretch down past rocky cliffs towards the crashing waters. There are tiny harbours, dramatic shallow water pools, and a beautiful Barafundl beach along the way. The vertiginous cliff is dramatic yet frightening. Look closely to discover what intrepid adventurers are trying to climb, like the Witch Maker, Heart of Darkness and Blowin’s Wind.
Castle Headland
Tenby Castle sits on an imposing promontory near both beaches in this city. It was constructed in the 1280s by Normans and was constantly attacked, sacked, and captured during the next 100 years. The city walls were built at the end of the 13th, and the moat expanded in the 15th. Tenby Castle remains a ruined tower from the 13th century.
Today it consists of a small entrance, small towers on the top of the promontory, and large walls on the east. But the best experience at Tenby Castle is to walk along the peninsula and admire the magnificent surroundings. The view from the sea to the castle beaches is terrific.
The castle lies at the top of Castle beach. Placards displayed inside the tower give visitors a detailed view of its storied history. The original wall surrounding Tenby is even more impressive than the tower. However, the short trip to Tenby Castle offers another benefit.
Views above Castle Hill are undoubtedly the very best that Tenby can provide. The picture can extend to the Bristol Channel on the most apparent days.
Caldey Island
Worth considering a cruise on Caldey Island. Its habitat is filled with seal and bird life and contains a cult of Cistercians. For thousands of years, monks prayed and lived peacefully on this distant shore. It has some exciting things that make this a wonderful place to be found in Tenby.
Discover this ancient monastery, the lighthouse, the large whitewashed abbey, and the nearby church. In the garden, you can relax, and you’re on the beach. Monks give out free visits, but you can support them if you purchase their Caldey perfume or Abbots Kitchen chocolate.
It would help if you put Caldey Island on your Tenby vacation itinerary for a day of exploring its coastline. Caldey Island is less than 5 minutes boat journey to Tenby Harbor. Caldey is a community containing Cistercians and is a Holy Island in Britain.
The island’s history dates back thousands of years before becoming an inland island and boasts several beautiful beaches. The island is available to visit from June to August, and tickets are available on-site in Tenby Harbour.
Five Arches Gate
In the past, Tenby was a fortified seaside settlement guarded by an intimidating wall to keep out intruders. Many portions of this wall still exist; you can easily see them when exploring the narrow lanes.
The Five Arches Gate, which initially served as Tenby’s entry, is one spot to keep an eye on the beautiful spots. Today, you can enter the “ancient town” through the gates just as you would have done in the past. It’s lovely to see it still there.
Narberth
It doesn’t exist like Hay-On-Wye. It has no endorsements or celebrity chef endorsements, and it is not very attractive. It has, however, gotten its reputation as a wealthy distributor of good local products.
Ultracomida is primarily a small independent manufacturer of Spanish Welsh food and beverages in the UK. Choose from the curated selection of cheeses, dried hams, and cantankerous gins. An old wooden tapas bar at the back showcases delicious Spanish dishes.
St Catherine’s Island
Castle Beach is also a beautiful beach located beneath castle walls. When tides recede, the sand is almost covered, but the tide turns back to create a golden sweep that leads onto a walkable route. How does one go on foot to an island? In any case, St. Catherine’s transforms into a tidal island at low tide (much like Holy Island), and it’s simple to wander over the sandy banks. Once you arrive, explore the historic property a bit.
It measures 280 m long and 210 metres wide and has an abundance of bird and water life. A fort was constructed in 1815 for a vast fortification of the whole territory during the Napoleonic Wars. Entry hours vary depending on the weather conditions and tides. Even though it’s a small town, it’s worth exploring Tenby.
Dominant Castle Beach views are St Catherine’s Island. The fort is open for guided tours at low tides from March until Christmas. It will be necessary for your trip to Tenby when tides allow. Initially built in the 1800s by Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars, it had numerous changes in its incarnations, including ten years at Zoo! It is a beautiful location makes it a fascinating visit.
Walk a section of the coastal path at the Green Bridge of Wales and St Govans Chapel.
Pembrokeshire coastal path provides one of the most enjoyable coastal walks in Wales. Just inside Tenby, a section of the trail offers two incredible sights. St Gova’s is a precarious church built on limestone cliffs.
It was established around six hundred years ago but abandoned by an ageing building. The Green Bridge in Wales is located a few kilometres from the coast. These impressive arches were carved away from the continental mainland through many years of deterioration.
The Green Bridge of Wales is one of the most beautiful natural archways in the United Kingdom. The towering building is over 81 meters high on the sea floor and has many popular photographic spots nearby.
Then next to the building are stacks of rock (Craig elgig), 2 x 4 feet of rock pillared. In late summer and spring, the birds nest in their nests. Like St. Govans, the property is owned and controlled by the mod.
Stroll the Tenby Harbour at Sunset
A visit to Tenby is complete if one visits Tenby Harbor. Often called the Jewel of Pembrokeshire Throne, this harbour has vibrant buildings, cafés, and restaurants. The port is an excellent starting point for a boat trip to the Caldey Islands.
The harbour is one of the best places to visit in Tenby if you enjoy fishing or taking a sunset walk and seeing the golden light illuminate the pastel houses. How can one do this? The Welsh names of Tenby are Dinbycy – Pygod (Little Fortress of the Fish).
Freshwater West
Although you can hit waves in Tenby, 30 minutes west, there’s a fantastic surfing beach in Britain. Freshwater West facing the Atlantic rollers head-on, is considered one of the best consistent surf destinations with the ability to hold waves above 1 meter.
For beginners, Freshwater West is the perfect place for lessons on surfing. Outer reef operates surf classes practically every day in summer. We didn’t get into the blue rooms (inside the curvature of the wave), but they made us stand up for at least one moment.
Pembroke Castle
Tenby is home to a handful of beaches and is ideal for sailing, drinking, and scavenging ice cream. A sand castle with a moat can be created in these sites and filled with the incoming tide. Wales has stunningly preserved defence-fortified fortifications. Pembroke Castle doesn’t make any exceptions as it is the oldest Norman castle in Britain and was built in the 11th century. Founded by Heinrich VI, it stands over the Pembroke river.
The old walls, partially covered by the garden’s trees, sparkle in their reflections on a still day. It is an excellent location to photograph, mainly at dawn when softer lighting illuminates the medieval walls. It is a beautiful place near Tenby.
Explore Manorbier Castle
If one wants a much larger castle than the destroyed tower at Castle Hill, the Castle of Monorbier is a must-see destination. Manorbier Castle is set on a clifftop overlooking Manorbier Beach.
The castle was built in the early 12th century by the Anglo-Norman de Barry family. It was built as a private estate but is accessible to the general public. The hotel is open daily from 07:00-48:00 and is sometimes closed for private functions. Please follow my new adventures on this channel.
See the Tudor Merchant’s House
The Victorian Tudor Merchant’s House lies in a cobbled street in Tenby near the harbour. It was built in the 15th century by an established merchant. For Tenby, the year 1500 was a highly eventful one. With the West Country, Spain, and Portugal, the port experienced heavy sea traffic. Henry Tudor became King Henry VII of England in 1485 when the Lancastrians triumphed in the Wars of the Roses.
Pembrokeshire served as the base of power for Henry’s influential uncle, Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke. He had invested significantly in bolstering Tenby’s defences against Yorkist assaults in the 1450s.
It provides a glimpse into Tenby’s old days when Tenby harbour was a busy centre for commerce. It is partly owned by the national trust, which provides guided tours on its four floors. The nominal ticket price can help you taste real Tudor homes.
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery
Once you enjoy the best views of Castle Hill from the water, head to Tenby museums and galleries. It is the oldest independent museum in Wales and presents the historical life of Tenby and its inhabitants from the 10th century to the 21st century. There are several other exciting galleries on its grounds.
The oldest independent museum in Wales is Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, founded in 1878. It has amassed an outstanding and varied collection of artwork, including pieces by John Piper, Kyffin Williams, and David Jones, three prominent international painters (all of these works are in a medium other than oil).
The earliest oil in the collection is titled “Tenby from North Cliff” by William Golding and dates to 1799. The museum has been fortunate to benefit from the giving nature of artists and philanthropists and from grant aid organisations’ assistance in expanding its collection. The museum keeps acquiring pieces that are relevant to the area, either in terms of subject matter or through the artist’s history.
Gwen and Augustus John’s paintings, which had close ties to Tenby, are some of the collection’s most significant pieces. The most intriguing part is Gwen’s “Landscape at Tenby with Figures,” which dates to around 1896 or 1897 and is unique not only because of its age but also because it shows the town where she grew up.
Heatherton World of Activities
Find adrenaline-filled things to do near Tenby at Heatherton World. This place is delightful for the whole family, with activities like a High rope trail & escape room, Bumperboat & Zorbing. The entry fee to Heatherton is minimal and supports credit-based programs so it may be more than necessary. Tickets need to be booked by phone or email before completing the visit.
Just 5 minutes from Tenby in magnificent South West Wales lies the award-winning family attraction Heatherton World of Activities, where you can partake in more than 30 exhilarating activities ranging from family fun to heart-pounding adventure!
You can find all this and more at Heatherton, including the ability to walk on water, splash around in our bumper boats, race around in our high-speed go-kart track, go on an incredible high ropes adventure, or try one of the three thrilling Escape Rooms.
Open all year long; our distinctive “just pay when you play” philosophy allows you to customise your experience by choosing your favourite activities. Free admission is available for spectators, but you won’t be able to help yourself!
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church is a beautiful church on Upper Frog Street with a tall narrow spire. The main area dates back to the 15th century, one of the city’s heydays. The Interior is spacious, with carved ceiling bosses.
One of England’s best 18th-century landscape gardens, created using a famous medieval monastery ruin, merged when combined with the lands of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in 1767.
The Gothic-style Anglican church of St. Mary is the most notable subsequent addition to this location, which is now a World Heritage Site. William Burges designed St. Mary’s Church in 1870 for the Marquess and Marchioness of Ripon in an eclectic Gothic style.
It is a masterwork that displays the designer’s astounding ingenuity and is full of meaning and decorative detail.
FAQs
Tenby is an imposing fishing village in Wales that is very historic. Located in the beautiful region of Tenby Pembrokeshire, it is the most picturesque beach town in West Wales. On the Pembrokeshire coast, high atop the natural cliffs, is the charming walled village of Tenby. Tenby, west of Swansea, is a well-liked and welcoming family vacation spot in Wales.
Sandcastles and frozen treats.
Due to Sir William Paxton’s promotion of Tenby as a spa resort during the Victorian era, Tenby experienced rapid growth as a tourist destination. Workers in the big cities used Pembrokeshire’s fresh coastal air as a welcome respite from the hectic and frequently unhygienic conditions they lived in.
Apart from its harbour, Tenby features three sandy beaches that are lovely to sail on, sleep and enjoy ice creams. It also makes a good site for building sand castles on moats ready to fill with the coming tide.
The beach was honoured with an award for its beaches. South beach is less commercialised than North beach yet still has several shops on the north side of the beach as well as several shops.
North Beach is the Tenby Beach that most immediately comes to mind. Given that this is undoubtedly the UK’s most popular photo subject. A golden sandy beach with rock pools and the commanding Goskar Rock may be seen at Tenby North Beach.
You may travel between beaches by following the Pembrokeshire coastal route, about 3-5 miles.