Tenby is one of Britain’s most attractive holiday resorts. Surrounded by a 13th century wall, this unique Victorian town has escaped modernisation. The narrow cobbled streets with a variety of good restaurants, shops, pubs. Tenby is without doubt one of the most popular resorts in Wales.

Its name in Welsh, Dynbych-y-pysgod, means ‘The little fort of the fishes’. Tenby used to be a fishing village but tourism is now its main industry. The South and North beach provide excellent bathing from beautiful sandy beaches and watersports are popular here. The coastal path is a scenic route showing South Pembrokeshire in all its glory and linking many of its beaches and coves. The Tenby Museum and Gallery was founded in 1878 and is situated on the site of the old castle overlooking Castle Beach. The exhibits and information cover the geology and archaeology of Pembrokeshire, a history of the development of Tenby and an art gallery. After the civil war, the plague of 1650-1651 killed off more than half of the population of Tenby. This had a devastating effect on the once prosperous and successful trading town and many of the buildings became empty, abandoned and destroyed. The town remained poor and in a state of decay for over a hundred years until the mid 18th century when seaside resorts became the destination of the wealthy and doctors recommended the sea air as a cure to all manner of ailments.

The South beach’s 2 kilometres of golden sand spans the shoreline from St. Catherine’s Island to Giltar Point. The beach is backed by sand dunes and looks out toward Caldey Island. The South Beach has won a Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award. South beach is less commercialised than North beach, but still boasts several shops and hire facilities at the north end of the beach, plus toilets (with disabled access). Lifeguards operate daily (10am-6pm) throughout the summer. The North Beach is a golden stretch of sandy beach, dotted with occasional rock pools and the prominent Goskar Rock itself. Situated between the harbour beach and the north cliffs, North beach is overlooked by a promenade and Tenby town itself. The beach offers great views over Carmarthen Bay and is accessed by the north cliff steps or through the harbour. During the summer this beach is often crowded due to it’s popularity and ease of access. The beach holds an EC Blue Flag award and the water quality is excellent, complying with EC guideline standards. A dog ban is in effect on the beach from May to September. Directly above the beach is a shop, cafe, toilets, and various hire facilities, besides all of the general facilities offered by Tenby town itself. A lifeguard service operates in summer daily (10am-6pm) and there is a Tourist information Centre above the beach, along the promenade.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the first National Trail in Wales. Opened in 1970, the usual route is to travel from Poppit in the north to Amroth on the south coast. The National Parks Authority has numbered the stiles along the path, with number 1 at the Poppit end of the trail. The 186 mile coastal Path meanders through some of the most ruggedly pictureseque scenery in the world with outstanding views of charming in-lets leading peacful golden beaches, mysterious smugglers caves and spectacular natural formations such as the Green Bridge of Wales shaped by time and tide. Thr route via Tenby, Pembroke and Fishguard includes some of the most spectacular coastal walking in Britain, mainly along clifftops.. PanelAside from the magnificent coastal scenery, the Path takes in no less than 17 Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI), two nature reserves, and Wales’ only marine nature reserve. The cliff tops offer wonderful expanses of wildflowers in Spring. The cliffs at Pwll Granantare, near Ceibwr Bay, are especially notable for their spectacular folds of sandstone and mudstone. Wide variety of birds nest along the cliffs, and grey seals can often be seen in the water below.

Caldey Island is certainly worth a visit. Advertised as an island of peace and tranquillity, with unspoiled beauty, it is just three miles away from Tenby and regular daily boat trips take tourists across the calm waters. The monastery which is owned by the Reformed Cistercian Order, supports a community of around 20 monks. The island has good sandy beaches and excellent walks, some shops selling the island produce and a post office. If you are looking for a place to put your feet up for a week or so and want to avoid too much travel on your holiday then Tenby is the ideal location.