places to go, things to see

around the pembrokeshire coast national park

Where on Earth to start? :o)  There is so much crammed into the 243 square miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, with its 186 miles of unspoiled coastline, 7 Special Areas of Conservation, a Marine Nature Reserve, 6 national nature reserves and no fewer than 75 Sites of Special Scientific Interest!
 

discover pembrokeshire by sea

Skomer Island boat trips  (click for a Google map to Martins Haven)

Because the islands off Pembrokeshire's coast are protected and subject to a limited number of visitors, it's absolutely essential to book in advance!  We've included links to each of the three operators' websites where you will find sailing times and details of how to reserve your place.

Skomer Island:  As the only boat trip permitted to land visitors on Skomer, this is your opportunity to spend the whole day within a few feet of Pembrokeshire's famous puffins!  A 15 minute boat ride from Martins Haven takes you to Skomer Island, with a return boat in the afternoon.

Skokholm:  Famed for its Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels, Skokholm is a truly wild island off the coast of Pembrokeshire.  Skokholm Island has a real sense of remoteness with tall, sandstone cliffs, a wild landscape.  .  and never more than 26 people on the island at any one time!

Ramsey Island:  Explore the spectacular sea caves and sail through narrow rock gorges as you circumnavigate Ramsey Island, hoping for encounters with Atlantic Grey Seals and Harbour Porpoises, along with a multitude of migrating and nesting seabirds.
 

. . .as seen on screen

St Govan's chapel  (click the image for a Google map)

Pembrokeshire is blessed with spectacular and varied landscapes that make it a magnet for Film and TV productions.  St. Govans chapel, for example, is instantly recognisable as the remote island in the fictional German Ocean, where Lyra was imprisoned by Mrs Coulter in the award winning TV series 'His Dark Materials'.

The blockbuster 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' used Freshwater West as the location for Dobby's 'Shell House' and, subsequently, his grave. . .  which can still be found amongst the dunes!  'Fresh West' also doubled as both Dover beach and Dunkirk in the 2016 film 'Their Finest', whilst the mile long Marloes Sands starred in the 2012 Hollywood film 'Snow White and the Huntsman' with an all-star cast.

Discover more celebrity locations in Visit Pembrokeshire's feature;  On the Hollywood Trail.
 

castles by the score!

Carew Castle  (click the castle for a Google map)

Carew Castle:  With a fascinating history spanning over 2,000 years. . .  rich with tales of knights of the realm, kingmakers, Elizabethan intrigue and Civil War devastation.

Pembroke Castle: The birth place of Henry VII, Pembroke Castle is the biggest castle in Pembrokeshire and was the seat of power in the county for hundreds of years.

Picton Castle:  Pembrokeshire's finest stately home, lying in 60 acres of beautiful woodland gardens, plus The Welsh Owl Garden & Zoo.

Llawhaden Castle:  An unconventional and little-known castle occupying a commanding location amongst serene forest and rolling farmland.

Manorbier Castle:  900 years of history perched above the beautiful Manorbier Beach, with the village of Manorbier nestled in the protection of the castle.

Cilgerran Castle:  A striking 13th-century fortress, perched above the spectacular Teifi Gorge near Cardigan.
 

pembrokeshire in pre-history

Pentre Ifan Standing Stones  (click for a Google map)

Pembrokeshire's pre-history stretches back many thousands of years and is filled with unique and mysterious relics from a fascinating past including Neolithic burial chambers, standing stones, remains of Iron Age forts and ruins of holy buildings.

St. Non's Chapel and Holy Well, Coetan Arthur Burial Chamber and Gors Fawr Stone Circle can all be found in this excellent feature by Visit Wales.