The stone house was built shortly before 1500 for a successful merchant dealing in cloth, coal, pots, spices, and vinegar. It is the oldest house in Tenby and a reminder of the days when Tenby harbour was a bustling centre of trade.
The ground floor of the house was used as the merchant’s shop and a kitchen. On the first floor is the hall; the main family living area, and from here stairs lead up to the second floor, with a single bedchamber tucked under a low-beamed ceiling supported on dark timbers.
There is an ornately carved four-poster bed in the bedchamber, and wonderful views across the rooftops of Tenby from the mullioned windows. In a tower jutting out from the side of the building is a small garderobe, or loo. There are traces of wall paintings on three of the interior walls. Behind the house is a small herb garden.
The house as we see it today is not exactly as it would have been in 1500; for one thing the original house would have had an external stair to upper floors, but modern visitors can ascend via an inside stair.
The National Trust has gone to great lengths to make bring the flavour of Tudor life home to visitors. The table is in the hall laid for a meal, and there are guides on hand to explain about 16th century customs, including table manners and social etiquette. And of course there the requisite period costumes for children to try on!
Bosherston Lakes or Lily Ponds as they’re also known, have long been famous for their spectacular display of waterlilies and their resident otters. They’re a great place to visit if you want to do a bit of wildlife watching and have a waterfront wander.
The lakes are actually man-made and the cracks and fissures in the underlying rock mean that water can flow in and out of them fairly freely. They’re supplied by springs fed by a natural underground reservoir, and the water escapes the same way during dry spells.
The Cawdors built Bosherston Lakes between 1780 and 1860 as the focal point of their designed landscape.
“Wow!” is probably the best way to describe this beach.
A small bay backed by dunes and pine trees, accessible only by a half mile walk from the nearest car park. Swathes of golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has been voted many, many times as one of the best beaches in Britain and the world; it’s often likened to a Caribbean beach!
This pristine beach is isolated which means no facilities; so everything you take has to come back up over the cliffs.
Its mission is to protect and secure endangered species ecosystems. Ex-situ animals have been introduced to a natural Pembrokeshire landscape. Single and multi-species enclosures have been cleverly created with as few apparent boundaries as possible, to give visitors the impression of free roam while ensuring the safety of both human and non-human animals.
The park was taken over by Anna Ryder Richardson and husband Colin MacDougall in the Spring of 2008. Since then there have been major, conservation-led changes at Manor Park. The park is working on a major renovation project to bring it from a seriously dilapidated outdated animal park to a world class animal facility.
With strong commitments to ethical trading and education Manor Park recognises the need for continual improvement and understands the role it has to play in the community. While concentrating on endangered species, the team at Manor House fully realises that animal welfare must be their top priority.
Caldey Island lies cradled in the magnificent South Pembrokeshire coastline on the western fringes of Wales. It is one of Britain’s holy islands.
The Cistercian monks of Caldey continue a tradition which began there in Celtic times. More than a thousand years of prayer and quiet living have made this remote and beautiful island a haven of tranquility and peace.
The monks and islanders are pleased to welcome day-visitors to share the delights of their island home throughout the summer season.
Oakwood Theme Park is Wales’ Biggest Family Adventure located near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. With over 35 rides and attractions spread over 90 acres of spectacular countryside, we have something to offer the whole family. Whether you are looking for young adventure, family adventure or adrenaline adventure, you will have an amazing fun filled day out!
The tiny 13th-century St Govan’s Chapel is perched on the cliff at St Govan’s Head, the most southerly point on the Pembrokeshire coast. A tiny cell measuring 18 by 12 feet, dating from the thirteenth century, but parts of it – the altar and a seat cut in the rock – may be much earlier. The saint reputedly established a hermitage here after escaping pursuit by pirates. Inside is the rock which contains a fissure, so the story goes, opened and closed around him, keeping him hidden until his pursuers had gone. It’s said that if you make a wish while standing in the fissure it will come true, provided you don’t change your mind before you turn around. In the floor near the main entrance there used to be a well, the water from which could only be collected drop by drop and is said to be a cure for eye complaints, skin diseases, and rheumatic tendencies. St Govan is apparently buried under the altar in the chapel which bears his name. He died in 586.
To enter this picturesque little building it is necessary to descend a long flight of steps, which, legend asserts, cannot be accurately counted by a mortal being, it may have something to do with the fact that the steps are most irregular, with many half steps. Depending on where a person places his foot the count could vary considerably. The number of steps is approximately 74.
Pembroke Castle is idyllically set on the banks of the river estuary. This mighty fortress is largely intact, and its endless passages, tunnels and stairways are great fun to explore.
Pembroke Castle has a long and fascinating history, dating from 1093; notably, Henry Tudor (Harri Tudur), who became Henry VII and inaugurated the Tudor line of monarchs, was born there in 1457. He was father to the infamous Henry VIII and grandfather of Elizabeth I.
Soon after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 the victorious Norman invaders looked to Wales, but it was not until 1093 that Earl Roger of Montgomery built the first Pembroke Castle with earth and timber. It was the work of William Marshall, son in law of Strongbow, conqueror of Ireland who was the man responsible for the wholesale reconstruction of the castle in stone in the late 12th/early 13th centuries.
The castle gatehouse had a complex barbican and no fewer than three portcullises. Pembroke is also noteworthy as the only castle in Britain to be built over a natural cavern: a large cave known as the Wogan.
Views from the top are tremendous and the castle’s natural defensive position on a rocky promontory overlooking Milford Haven is immediately apparent.
Tenby Museum is the oldest independent Museum in Wales.Founded in 1878, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is situated in part of the medieval castle, overlooking Castle Beach and Caldey Island. Permanent displays include archaeology, geology, the natural, maritime and social history of the town and South Pembrokeshire.The permanent collection included art works by – Augustus John, Nina Hamnett, Edward J. Head, David Jones, John Piper, Kyffin Williams and many others.In the Second Gallery – A programme of frequently changing exhibitions.
Other attractions include:‘The Story of Tenby Gallery’ tracing the history of Tenby from earliest recorded times, a Victorian Antiquarian’s Study and lots of things for the family to do including activity trails and a CBBC Relic Trail.
St Davids is one of the great historic shrines of Christendom. Nowhere in Britain is there a more ancient cathedral settlement, for it reaches back fourteen centuries and survived the plunder of the Norsmen in the ‘Dark Ages’.
St David chose this wild, beautiful region as the site of his monastery in the 6th century and you will find his shrine in the purple-stoned cathedral, which nestles inconspicuously in a grassy hollow beneath the rooftops of the tiny city..
There’s so much fun to be had at Folly Farm; from the farmyard friends in the Jolly Barn, to Wales’ only giraffes in the spectacular zoo, Europe’s biggest indoor vintage fun fair to the Carousel Woods indoor adventure playground, the fantastic land train ride around Follywood Country Park to the diggers, to the Pirate Playground and lots more adventure play.
With 50% of the rides and attractions undercover it’s perfect whatever the weather.
Holders of the Best Family Day out in Wales award and a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for achieving consistently excellent ratings.
Funfair, Big Wheel, Big Dig, Go-Karts and Santa’s Grotto subject to additional charge.
With archery, golf, go-karts, bumper boats, a zip line, paint balling and body zorbing, there’s something for everyone at Heatherton outdoor adventure park. Located on the outskirts of Tenby in the breath-taking Pembrokeshire countryside, it’s about a ten-minute drive from the center of town and can be easily reached by taxi or an hourly bus. Heatherton is ‘pay when you play’ facility, meaning it’s free entry to the park and you only pay for the activities you actually take part in. This makes it perfect for a family day out and for groups or if you wanted to try just one of the many activities on offer.
Coach Guest House
