THINGS TO DO IN TENBY, PEMBROKESHIRE
The charming seaside town of Tenby (Welsh: Dinbych-y-pysgod, meaning fortlet of the fish) was our stop on our Pembrokeshire Easter school holidays.
What to See
Tenby’s notable features include 2.5 miles (4km) of sandy beaches and the 13th-century medieval town walls, including the five arches Barbican Gatehouse.
St Catherine’s Island is a small tidal island linked to Tenby by Castle beach at low tide. The island, which is known colloquially as St Catherine’s Rock, is the location of St Catherine’s Napoleonic Fort.
You might also visit the 15th century St. Mary’s Church as well as the Tudor Merchant’s House (National Trust). On Castle Hill, you can also explore the Tenby Museum & Art Gallery.
Tudor Merchant’s House
Tudor Merchant’s House is a 15th-century townhouse built from stone. At the time, Tenby was a busy commercial port and the occupant of this type of house would have been a merchant. He would have traded goods that were brought into and out of the town’s harbour.
The building consists of three stories. The lower floor was originally used as a shop by the merchant to conduct his business. The first floor was used as living quarters for the family and the upper floor for the sleeping quarters.
The Merchant’s House is the oldest house still standing in Tenby. In 1938 Tenby Corporation donated the building to the National Trust.
Bellow is a panorama photograph with St. Mary’s church in the background taken from Castle hill. It was an overcast day, but Tenby’s charm still shone through.
Despite the cold weather, our son had lots of fun building sandcastles on Castle Beach. While he played we warmed ourselves up by drinking take-away coffee and watched the world go by.
We found a perfect fossil on one of the rocks on the beach. Shame the rock was massive otherwise I would take it home! 😀
The Lifeboat Station
Moreover, The Lifeboat Station just beneath Castle Hill is also worth visiting. Learn about amazing RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews which provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland. Definitely check it out when you are in Tenby. Here is one daft souvenir we brought home with us 😀
Caldey Island
Why not make a day trip to the monastic Caldey Island? The island has been on my travel list for a while but unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to visit it yet. You can get there by boat from Tenby’s harbour. Caldey Island with its Caldey Abbey is the home of Cistercian Monks. They farm this tiny island and also make the famous Caldey Island perfume and chocolate. Personally, that sounds like a pretty interesting day out to me.
Final Words
In conclusion, Tenby is a very popular destination in the UK, especially in summer. With lovely beaches and lots of colourful houses, cafes, little shops, and historic sites, Tenby is worth visiting. There is definitely something for everyone in Tenby!
Have you been to Tenby? Let me know in the comments below.
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THINGS TO DO IN TENBY, PEMBROKESHIRE
You have really captured the lovely colours of the Tenby houses. We always visit when we are visiting the nearby town of Saundersfoot.