Cultural highlights of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The spectacular scenery of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park draws around four million visitors to the area each year. And although there's a huge amount of natural beauty to explore, this is also a region that’s rich in history and tradition, with lots of fantastic cultural attractions to seek out while you're here.

In this guide, we’ll run through some of the best historic and heritage attractions in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, covering everything from ancient burial chambers to annual food and music festivals, giving you the chance to get to know this fascinating area in a bit more depth.

Historic sites and landmarks

The presence of several neolithic and Iron Age monuments in Pembrokeshire is evidence that this area has been inhabited for many thousands of centuries. Whether your interest lies in ancient sites or the castles of the Middle Ages, we've picked out a few of the best historic attractions in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park here.

Pembroke Castle

With more than 600 castles around its 8024 square miles, Wales is often said to be the ‘castle capital of the world’ – and Pembrokeshire has some of the finest examples. Pembroke Castle is one of these, notable not only for being the birthplace of Henry VII (Harri Tudur, as he was then known) but also as the only castle in Britain to be built over a natural cavern.

Despite its history dating back to 1093, the castle is impressively intact these days, with the keep, the dungeon tower and gatehouse all accessible for visitors. Daily guided tours are included with the entrance fee, and there are also frequent events held at the castle. With a café, a whole range of colourful exhibits and the massive ‘Great Map of Wales' to run about on, there’s plenty here to entertain all ages.

St Davids Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace

Built on the site of a 6th-century monastery, St Davids Cathedral is widely believed to be the most ancient cathedral in the UK, and it's a fascinating and atmospheric place to visit. The original monastery was founded by St David himself, and more recently the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott was involved in the building’s restoration. It's this combination of ancient history and more modern input that makes this such an intriguing place to visit now.

While you're at the cathedral, step next door to the Bishop's Palace, the remains of what was once a splendid residence for top clergy. The building started to decline during the Reformation and eventually fell into ruin, but there’s still plenty to see here. If you'd like to extend your day out in St Davids, have a look to see if there are any concerts or other events on – the cathedral is a popular venue for classical concerts throughout the year, and hosts its own summer festival.

Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber

Historic interest and natural beauty come together in one fantastic location at Pentre Ifan, the remains of a chambered tomb from the Neolithic period. There’s something of a sense of mystery here, as the five-metre 'capstone' appears to be rather precariously balanced on the three upright stones – and yet, it's all managed to stay in place for more than 5000 years. 

The setting adds to the attraction at Pentre Ifan, with the stones framing lovely views of the Preseli Hills – they’re particularly gorgeous at sunset. The site is free to visit, and it ties in nicely with a visit to the nearby Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, where you can walk among the ancient roundhouses and learn about Iron Age life from knowledgeable costumed volunteers.

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

Easily accessed just off the A477, Carew Castle and Tidal Mill is one of Pembrokeshire’s top heritage attractions. It’s home to the only restored tidal mill in Wales, and there are several other interesting things to see as you walk around the site, including a medieval bridge and an 11th-century Celtic cross. It’s also a very beautiful place to visit, with the image of the Norman/Elizabethan castle reflected in the expansive lake just outside.

Outside of these main attractions, there are other activities including crabbing from the causeway, themed guided tours and a busy programme of special events such as open-air theatre shows, nature walks and all sorts of fun things for children to do.

Manorbier Castle

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the sands of Manorbier beach, the setting of Manorbier Castle is a pretty special one. And the castle itself is a beautiful building too, with classic turrets, a characterful chapel and lovely landscaped gardens to explore. The castle’s history dates back to the late 11th century, and its famous residents include Gerald of Wales, a renowned scholar of the 12th century.

Once you've toured the castle, stop in for refreshments at its tea room, in the original 13th-century guards' room – it’s a wonderfully atmospheric place for  a cup of tea and a slice of home-made cake. In fact, the whole place is a very romantic setting, so it's a popular wedding venue; it's worth checking for venue closure dates before planning your visit.

Art galleries and studios

• At the top of the hill in St Davids, Oriel y Parc is the key artistic hub for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – alongside permanent displays and temporary exhibitions of works by local artists, it also runs arts workshops for all ages, including plenty of family fun.

• You've heard of the Bayeux Tapestry, but have you come across the Last Invasion Tapestry? Much like its ancient French cousin, the Last Invasion Tapestry is 100 feet long and tells a historic tale through embroidery. In this case, it's the story of the final French invasion of Britain, which happened in Fishguard in 1797. The tapestry was commissioned for the bicentenary in 1997 and was created by 80 local women – you can now see it in a gallery at Fishguard Library. 

• If you'd like to take some art home as a souvenir or gift, look out for smaller galleries such as the Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven, Harbour Lights Gallery in Porthgain and Gallery Yr Oriel in Newport.

Craft shops and workshops

• Wales famously has a sizeable population of sheep, so it's no surprise to find that it also produces lots of lovely wool products. Some of the best places to find handmade traditional wool blankets and other textiles are here in Pembrokeshire – pay a visit to Welsh Otter in Tenby or the Solva Woollen Mill, where you can also see the mill in action. Melin Tregwynt, in a lovely 17th-century building just off the A487, is another great spot to see weaving in action and buy colourful wool textiles.

• As souvenirs and gifts go, few things are more traditionally Welsh than the wooden lovespoon. These beautiful hand-carved creations were traditionally given as symbols of love, with unique personal designs that also show off the skill of the carver. The Lovespoon Workshop, just outside Tenby, is a good place to see the spoons being made, and choose or commission one of your own.

• There are plenty more Pembrokeshire craft workshops around, with artisans creating all sorts of different one-off pieces. Take a look at the metalwork of blacksmith Roy Thedvall, see glass being blown at A Gift of Glass in Tenby, and pick up some colourful pottery from Pembrokeshire Pottery, tucked away in a shed in Freshwater Easy. Alternatively, browse shops like Newport Collective Gallery, Fishguard Artisans and Workshop Wales Gallery, which showcase the work of a variety of craftspeople and artists.

Open studios and art trails

Community-organised art trails and open studio events can be a wonderful way to find unique pieces of art, and have a chat with the people that created them. One of the best Pembrokeshire open studio events is organised by North Pembrokeshire Open Studios – exhibitions run through the summer and culminate in the main art trail event in late August/early September, when numerous artists around St Davids, Fishguard and many of the small local villages open their doors to visitors.

Around the same time of year, Art Out West organises a similar open studio event showcasing the artists of south Pembrokeshire.

Cultural festivals and events

Timing your trip to coincide with one of Pembrokeshire’s festivals or events will add an extra layer of interest – whether you focus your visit on a particular event or just dip in briefly, these annual events are well worth checking out.

St David's Day in Pembrokeshire

 

When St David’s Day comes round at the start of March, Wales heads out to celebrate with traditional dress, music, dance and food. In Pembrokeshire, there's only one place to be – and of course that's St Davids. Celebrations may take place on St David's Day itself, or on the closest weekend to allow more people to join in – either way, expect to see a dragon parade through the city's streets, join in with a dragon egg hunt, walk among daffodils and eat a warming bowl of traditional cawl (a lamb stew) as you wish locals ‘Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus’.

Fishguard Music Festival

For a couple of weeks in the summer, west Wales becomes a hub of wonderful sounds as the Fishguard Music Festival attracts world-class classical and contemporary artists to the area. Concerts are held not only in Fishguard but also in St Davids Cathedral and several village churches around the area. If you'd like to take in a concert while you're in Pembrokeshire, this is a great place to start – have a look at the programme and see what takes your fancy.

Pembrokeshire County Show

Held over a couple of days in mid-August, the Pembrokeshire County Show is the area’s annual celebration of all things rural. It's been running since the late 18th century, and remains very traditional in character these days, with judging classes for livestock, crafts and crops, plus displays of vintage tractors, show jumping and dog agility. As with most of the UK's agricultural shows, you'll also have a good selection of local food and drink to sample and buy.

Narberth Food Festival

The Narberth Food Festival is one of the longest-running food festivals in Wales, having held its first event in 1999. These days it has grown to a two-day event held in late September on Town Moor. The festival showcases the finest Pembrokeshire produce through stalls, demonstrations and workshops, and the festival theatre hosts top chefs from around Wales and beyond giving talks and demo sessions. Beyond all that, a licensed bar and a toe-tapping schedule of live music ensure there's a really fun and sociable atmosphere. Narberth is outside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, but it’s worth a detour for a tasty treat or two.

Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival

Fan of street food? Fishguard is the place to be – specifically during the Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival, held over one delicious weekend in August. Over 20 street food traders come together for the event, alongside a bar with craft beers and cocktails to go with your choice of food. Family-friendly entertainment and live music are all part of the schedule too – and it's all completely free to enter, so you can dip in and out as you wish.

Historical and cultural trails

Following a themed trail or joining a guided walk can be a great way to gain deeper insight into the area you're visiting, and will often give you a great sense of personal achievement too. We’ve picked out a few of the best historic trails in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to try – from short walks to long multi-day outings.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path 

Now forming part of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path became the first National Trail in Wales when it opened in 1970. The 186-miles trail was primarily designed to introduce the county's spectacular coastal scenery, but it also has a lot to offer in terms of historic interest. Along the way, you'll go through traditional villages and Norman towns, as well as passing historic monuments both large and small. The castles of Pembroke and Manorbier are among the major highlights, but the path also has smaller sights such as Iron Age forts, lime kilns and wartime pillboxes to look out for, and takes in legendary spots such as St Non’s Chapel and St Govan’s Chapel.

Walking the whole of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path usually takes 10 to 15 days, but shorter sections can be equally rewarding. Have a look at the national park's suggestions for shorter walks in the area.

St Davids pilgrimage trails

As the primary seat of Christianity in Wales, St Davids has become a popular pilgrimage site. Back in the 12th century, Pope Callixtus II issued a decree declaring that two pilgrimages to St Davids was equal to one to Rome, and this proved to be a much more practical option for many. 

The idea of pilgrimage has become popular again in recent years, giving walkers a chance for personal reflection as well as undertaking a faith-based journey. In the case of St Davids, pilgrimage trails can take various forms from the 1.5-mile guided pilgrim walks held on Fridays through the summer to the full Way of St David, a 62-mile trail in the model of the Camino de Santiago – available as a group walk through the Christian walking company Journeying. There are also several shorter one-day pilgrimage trails available, which can be done solo or as guided walks through the British Pilgrimage Trust.

Heritage and archaeological walks

There are several ways to explore Pembrokeshire's heritage on a walk, whether you'd like a self-guided option or a group walk. For self-guided trails, look out for things like Milford Haven's three heritage trails and the Amroth Heritage Trail. Or, for a longer option, get on your bike and try the 51-mile Heritage Coast Trail, a circular ride starting in Pembroke and taking in many of the best historic sights in south-west Pembrokeshire.

For a themed walk with a knowledgeable guide, have a look at what’s on in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – the events listings often include walks with a historic or archaeological theme.

Museums and heritage centres

Pembrokeshire’s museums are great places to get to know the area’s history and culture a bit better – and they’re also handy places to spend time in wet weather. The three we've listed below are our picks of the best Pembrokeshire museums and heritage centres.

• The oldest independent museum in Wales, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery houses a wide variety of exhibits. Displays and intriguing artefacts tell the story of the town’s development from the Middle Ages through to the present day, and there are both permanent and temporary art exhibition areas. Alongside all this, there are interactive elements for children (including dressing up), and a regular series of art and history talks.

• In a coastal area like Pembrokeshire, life is inextricably intertwined with the sea – and you can learn more about its influence on everyday life at the Milford Haven Museum. This museum primarily focuses on the town's maritime history, telling the story of its fishing industry and its whaling past. The building is full of historic artefacts, old photographs and interactive exhibits, and there are plenty of craft and nautical-themed activities for children, especially during the summer holidays.

• The national park's own visitor centre – at Oriel y Parc in St Davids – has both permanent and temporary exhibits, and it's a good place to find an introduction to the area’s heritage. It’s free to visit, and has plenty of useful features such as a café, gift shop and e-bike hire as well as having staff on hand to offer advice on where to go and what to do in the area.

Planning your Pembrokeshire break

If you’d like to explore some of Pembrokeshire’s history and culture in depth during your trip, you'll need somewhere to stay between outings. Staying near one of the major cultural centres – such as St Davids, Fishguard or Pembroke – puts you in a good position to get to a variety of attractions, but there’s also much to be said for getting off the beaten track and heading to a small village for a taste of traditional life. Take a look at all of Pitchup's Pembrokeshire Coast camping and glamping options to find the place that's right for you.

While English is spoken everywhere in Pembrokeshire, this is also an area where the Welsh language is alive and well, and therefore you may like to enrich your cultural experience (and gain favour with the locals) by learning a few basic Welsh phrases. Meanwhile, for a true taste of the area, look out for places selling Welsh cakes and bara brith (a fruity tea loaf) and try local seafood specialities including lobster, cockles and laverbread (not bread in any form, but a nutrient-rich seaweed product).

For more information, including further places to visit and details of public transport, visit the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website.