West Wales, including Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and parts of Ceredigion, is undeniably home to some of Wales' most beautiful beaches and coastlines.
There's also a surprising number of family-friendly things to do here, from Wales' only theme park to alpaca trekking and even a dinosaur park. This is why I recently featured it as one of my top places to visit in Wales.
As a Welshman, I've spent many summers exploring Pembrokeshire and it still surprises me. In this guide, I've listed all of the best things to do in West Wales to help you plan your next trip.
Map of Things To Do in Pembrokeshire & West Wales
Here is a map of things to do in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and parts of Ceredigion (better known as West Wales). Keep reading below for the full details.
1. Step back in time at one of West Wales' top castles
Pembroke Castle
Carew Castle
Manorbier Castle
Cilgerran Castle
It would be a list of things to do in West Wales if I didn't feature at least one castle. Lucky for you, there are several great castles in West Wales to visit.
Here are my favourites castles to visit in the area:
- Pembroke Castle - The highlight of the town of Pembroke is its castle, notable as the birthplace of Henry Tudor who became the first Tudor King of England, Henry VII. It's a fun family day out with guided tours, children's shows, and an exhibition spanning several floors.
ㅤ - Carew Castle - This castle might be a ruin, but it's still in excellent shape and has an interesting history which is explained on information panels throughout the castle. They also have family activities such as dressing up, archery, and guided tours. It sits in front of a huge millpond and the ticket also includes entry to the only restored tidal mill in Wales.
ㅤ - Manorbier Castle - This mighty castle is the dominant structure in the small village of Manorbier where it overlooks the beach out towards the sea. As well as visiting the castle in the day, it's one of the few castles in Wales you can stay in.
ㅤ - Cilgerran Castle - You might think that Cardigan Castle would be the top fortress to visit around Cardigan, but I much preferred a trip to Cilgerran Castle. Although mostly in ruins, it's a true Welsh castle where you can wander the walls and climb the towers.
2. See iconic landmarks along the cliffs in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Did you know that Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the only national park in the UK that's next to the coast. This means that there are some incredible coastlines to explore with a mix of beautiful beaches and rugged clifftop.
One of the best things to do in Pembrokeshire is walking along this coastline using the Wales Coastal Path. There’s also a dedicated Wales Coast Path app, to help track your progress and improve the experience along the way.
Almost every stretch of coastline is incredible, but the highlight has to be the part known as the 'Limestone Coast of South West Wales'. This is where you'll find some of the most iconic cliff formations including the Green Bridge of Wales, Stack Rocks, and the Devil's Cauldren.
A little further down from these three formations, you'll find St Govan's Chapel, a tiny chapel built into the rockside which is said to have appeared to help St Govan escape pirates. Near this, you'l also find the Huntsman's Leap, another natural landmarks in the Welsh cliffs.
3. Step back in time at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village
Castell Henllys is a fun family day out in West Wales. here, you'll find the recreation of an iron-age village right on the spot where a settlement would have existed more than 2,000 years ago. A team of experts and archaeologists helped design it to be an accurate replica so the attraction will appeal to both families and history nerds (myself being the latter).
You'll get the chance to meet some "actual" iron age villagers who will tell you about their daily lives and show you some of the tools they used. I recommend spending the entire morning or afternoon there because otherwise, you might miss out on some of the activities on offer such as workshops and demonstrations.
4. Visit the colourful harbour town of Aberaeron
The present site of Aberaeron was planned and built from 1805 by the Rev. Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne. He was responsible for building the harbour, which acted as a port to support the shipbuilding industry in the 19th century
It’s located 16 miles south of Aberystwyth making it the perfect distance for a day trip. Be sure to look out for the colourful houses that overlook the harbour - they look very similar to those that feature on the children’s TV show, Balamory!
There are numerous excellent restaurants in Aberaeron which include, Y Seler, the Harbourmaster and the Hive. Also, be sure to stop off at the Hive for a honey ice cream!
Aberaeron also has lots of independent shops that will keep you busy all day, plus a stroll along the magnificent seafront is highly recommended.
5. Spot dolphins and porpoises in Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay, the section of the sea along Wales' west coast, is home to a whole host of wildlife, including harbour porpoise, grey seals, bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks.
You can often spot these from the shoreline, but the best way to guarantee a sighting is to take one of the dolphin spotting trips that depart from New Quay and Cardigan.
- From Cardigan: Take a RIB boat from St Dogmaels near Cardigan with A Bay to Remember to explore caves, spot wildlife, and have a guided tour of the Cardigan Bay cliffs. Below is a photo from my trip with them, the dolphins came within a few metres of the boat.
ㅤ - From New Quay: New Quay Boat Trips depart regularly from New Quay’s main pier starting at just £15 per person for a standard trip, up to £160 per person for the ultimate personalised experience.
If taking your trip from Cardigan, I recommend spending some time in the area as there are lots of great activities in the town. See my guide to things to do in Cardigan to find out more.
6. Visit Pembrokeshire's iconic seaside town, Tenby
Tenby is an iconic town in West Wales, known for it's pretty coloured houses that sit looking over the beaches.
There are plenty of things to do in Tenby, with the golden sand across Tenby's three main beaches being an excellent choice on a sunny day. Other activities such as the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, or the National Trust Tudors merchant house could be enjoyed whilst visiting the area.
You can also visit the tidal island of St Catherine's where you can explore an old fort (only accessible at low tide) or visit Caldey Island which was once home to a famous monastery.
To help you refuel after a day at the beach or exploring, there are plenty of places to each from fish and chips at Fecci’s to Japanese dishes at Umi’s, and everything in-between!
7. See wildlife by visiting Skomer Island or Ramsey Island
One of my favourite things to do in Pembrokeshire is to leave the mainland and explore some of the extraordinary islands that can be found just off the coast. Two of the most famous islands are Skomer and Ramsey Island.
- Skomer Island is best known as a place to spot puffins and other seabirds during breeding season (between April and July). I visited with Pembrokeshire Islands who offer both landing trips where you spend the day on the island and sightseeing cruises where you loop around the island as a guide explains where to look. See my guide to visiting Skomer Island for a comparison of these options and more ways to reach the island.
ㅤ - Ramsey Island doesn't have puffins, but it's still worth visiting as you can spot plenty of other wildlife including choughs and peregrine falcons, ravens and buzzards, plus gannets, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags, and lots of gulls during the summer months. See my guide to visiting Ramsey Island for more information about when and how to get there.
Ramsey Island is best when visited from St David's whereas Skomer Island is closer to Marloes.
8. Visit Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a seaside town in Ceredigion (some might say it's in Mid-Wales, not West Wales). The town is best known for its pier and promenade which have been attracting tourists since the Victorian ages.
There’s a huge amount of things to do in Aberystwyth for all ages, and some of the top picks include, exploring the ruins of Aberystwyth castle, taking a cultural tour at the National Library of Wales and taking a ride up Constitution Hill on the longest funicular railway in Britain.
From here, you can also take some scenic walks along the Wales Coastal Path. A popular walk is to Borth, another nearby seaside town. From here, you can easily get a train or bus back to Aberystwyth.
9. Follow in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas by visiting Laugharne
Laugharne is a small coastal village in Carmarthenshire that's best known as the final home of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
On a day out in Laugharne, you can visit the Dylan Thomas Boathouse where he lived, see his writing shed where he is thought to have written classics such as Under Milk Wood, and take a walk along the coastline which inspired him on the Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk.
Laugharne also has its own castle ruins that you can visit. Originally built in 1116, the castle was a formidable Norman stronghold and played a role in conflicts in the region. After the conflicts ended, Laugharne Castle almost fell to ruin but was transformed into a magnificent Tudor mansion by Sir John Perrot.
In the 20th century, the castle is said to have inspired the author Richard Hughes as well as Laugharne local Dylan Thomas.
10. Go hiking in the Preseli Hills
It's not just about the coastlines in West Wales, the Preseli Hills also provide some great terrain for hiking and trekking. As well as beautiful landscapes, the hills are steeped in history with many archaeological sites to discover and they are even the source for some of the stones that make up Stonehenge
The most famous hike across the hills is the Golden Road trail which includes the highest point in the hills, a burial site at Foel Feddau, an Iron Age fortress at Foel Drygarn, and two quarries where stones for Stonehenge may have come from.
The official route of the Golden road is from Bwlch Gwynt to Foel Drygarn, it's a 7-mile walk although keep in mind that it's a linear route and not a circular trail, so you'll need to return along the same route for your car or research public transport. Parking for the start of the route is here.
Want a guide? If you'd like to take a local along with you, this Pembrokeshire hiking trip might be a good idea.
11. Visit the enormous St David's Cathedral in the smallest city in Britain
St Davids is famous for being the smallest city in Britain and for being named after the patron saint of Wales
Despite being such a small place, St Davids has a lot to offer including the enormous St David's Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral in Wales. Next to this is the Bishops Palace, and down near the coast, you'll find St Non’s chapel and well.
The nearby beaches, such as Whitesands and Caerfai Bay, are both spots of outstanding natural beauty.
If you fancy trying something different, TYF adventures offer a range of adrenaline-based activities to get your pulse racing, and there’s also the St David’s themed escape room for a rainy day.
12. See Red Kites being fed at Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian
Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian became a red kite feeding centre in 1999 to protect the small number of birds in the area. The population has grown substantially in the last 20+ years and it is now possible to see as many as 150 kites coming in to feed
There’s so much to do for the whole family at Bwlch Nany-yr-Arian, which includes:
- Several different walking routes
- Multiple mountain bike routes, and a bike skills park
- Two play areas; one for younger children and one for older ones
- A great café
- A brilliant gift shop
- Lovely picnic areas
- Red kite feeding every afternoon - 2pm in winter and 3pm in summer.
Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian is also a haven for dogs, with so much space to run around in, they will absolutely love it up there too!
13. Soak up the sun or learn to surf at a Blue Flag beach
As well as the dramatic cliff lines, Pembrokeshire is also home to some excellent gently-sloped beaches which make it the best part of Wales for riding some waves.
Many of these beaches are also Blue Flag accredited which means they have outstanding cleanliness, water quality, and sustainability
Some of the best beaches in West Wales are:
- Whitesands
- New Gale
- Freshwater West
If you're planning to surf, my recommended surf school in Pembrokeshire is Outer Reef who run lessons on Freshwater West (plus occasionally other beaches in the area depending upon the waves).
They are an accredited surf school with ISA instructors who have been providing lessons for over 20 years. You can find a full list of surf schools in Wales over on the BBC website.
FYI - If you're a Potter nerd like me, Freshwater West was the filming location for Shell Cottage in Harry Potter and is also where you'll find Dobby's grave.
14. Get a thrill at Oakwood theme park
Oakwood is Wales' largest theme park which is located just 20 minutes outside of Haverfordwest by car. It's a proper theme park in every sense of the word with everything from large rollercoasters to water slides and toddler-friendly rides.
Thrill seekers can ride the iconic Megafobia wooden coaster which is the fastest theme park ride in Wales and has been voted as the best roller coaster in Europe
If you love a thrill but can't stomach the big rides, there are plenty of others such as a large water slide, a two-person bobsleigh, a tree-top rollercoaster, a pirate ship, and more. There's also a dedicated area called Young Adventure & Neverland with rides and activities for the little ones.
Of course, there are plenty of shops, cafes, and amusements to make a full day out of it. The park isn't open every day, so check here for the latest opening times before you turn up. The park is extra special with spooky events if you can visit around Halloween.
16. Scramble across cliffs on a coasteering tour
The concept of coasteering was first created in Wales was back in 1986 by TYF in St David's, so where better to give it a go?!
If you're not familiar with coasteering, it's similar to canyoning, only along the cliffsides instead of through canyons. You'll abseil down cliffs, scramble across rocks, explore caves, and swim your way around the coast.
Some other popular places to go coasteering in West Wales include:
- The Blue Lagoon with Celtic Quest
- Tenby with Tenby Adventure
- Moylegrove with Cardigan Bay Active
17. Be at one with nature at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is home to the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, measuring 110m by 60m wide
Other activities available at the gardens include various exhibitions, campfires, den building and wildlife safaris which will help keep the kids entertained. If you’d like to take your dog, you can do so on Mondays or during special weekend events.
18. Explore Fishguard
Fishguard is one of the most underrated places in West Wales in my opinion and it makes a great place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area due to cheap accommodation and easy access to
It's best known as the location where the last invasion of Great Britain took place back in 1797. An impressive tapestry in a dedicated section of the Fishguard library tells the story of the invasion and how local women aided in successfully capturing invading French forces. You can also visit Fishguard Fort and take a scenic walk around the harbour.
One of my favourite activities in Fishguard was sea kayaking with Kayak King (see image above). Whether you're a total newbie or an experienced kayaker, the tour is great fun and will take you around some impressive caves, natural landmarks, and you'll learn lots about Fishguard's past with pirates.
19. Swim in the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is an old slate quarry near Abereiddy which was abandoned in the early 20th century. A large blast in the quarry allowed the sea to flood in with the slate turning the water a turquoise blue colour, giving it its name
Today, the lagoon is owned by the National Trust and is a popular swim spot for locals and tourists. As well as swimming, there are two diving points for those brave enough to make the jump (not me). It's also a great kayaking spot as you can head out through the opening of the lagoon and explore the caves in the surrounding cliffs.
It sits on the Wales Coastal Path and is one of my favourite areas to explore due to all the old buildings from the quarry that can be spotted. If you want to visit, park at Abereiddy Beach and you can walk from there.
20. Enjoy go-karting, zorbing, golf, and more at Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities does exactly what it says on the tin, offering a huge range of family activities for all ages.
Some of the activities here include go-karting, paintballing, mini land rovers, adventure golf, a high-ropes course, a tubing slide, and more. There's enough to keep you busy for several visits.
If you're looking for something to do in West Wales in the rain, you can also take advantage of soft play areas, an escape room, and the Pembrokeshire raceway (where you can race model cars around a giant 8-car track).
Only 3 miles away from Tenby, Heatherton is really popular with locals and tourists as there’s something for everyone. You even have the option to stay on-site at Florence Springs Lakeside Lodges where you’ll have your own hot tub.
21. Feed and pet farm animals at Folly Farm
Ten minutes away from Saundersfoot is Folly Farm where you can meet over 750 animals living on the farm in the zoo and the barn. Visit the barn using the land train and you’ll be able to pet animals from sheep and horses to rabbits.
There’s also an indoor vintage fairground for the younger children and lots of food and drink options. If all of that wasn’t enough you can also adopt a goat as a way to remember your visit!
22. Spend the day at Pembrey Country Park
When the sun is shining on West Wales, one of my favourite places to spend the day is at Pembrey Country Park.
This is a large coastal parkland not far from Llanelli which includes a designated nature reserve, woodlands and an 8-mile-long sandy beach.
Some of the activities here include relaxing on the beach at Cefn Sands, playing mini golf or footgolf, trying your hand at skiing or tubing down the dry ski slope, or ttobogganing down Wales’ longest toboggan track, which was personally my favourite thing to do.
There are also plenty of walking and cycling trails with the opportunity to hire a bicycle from the onsite hire shop. They also have 4-seater family bikes!
Technically, it's free to visit Pembrey Country Park, although you will still have to pay the parking charge if visiting by car.
23. Have an un-bee-lievable time at Dr Benyons Bug Farm
Dr Benyons Bug Farm is a research and visitor centre near St David's where you can learn all about different kinds of bugs and see them too.
Inside the centre, you'll find the bug zoo where there are tropical bugs from across the world and the bug museum which has lots of interactive and informative exhibits to teach you all about bugs, why they are important, and how we can care for them.
Ourside the centre, there is a nature reserve that has been designed as the perfect habitat for bugs to thrive. You can walk through the reserve, sticking to the paths, and admire the different kinds of bugs with signage to share information on the way.
If you're brave enough, they also have the Grub Kitchen which serves up meals and snacks made with bugs in them, which are said to be an excellent source of protein (don't worry, they have bug free food too!).
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Published: 8 August 2022 · Last updated: 30 August 2023