Tenby is a seaside treasure in West Wales with its narrow streets and pastel-coloured houses overlooking the harbour which have captivated visitors for centuries.
One of my favourite things to do in Tenby is to wander the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and bustling squares. Of course, there are several huge golden sand beaches which are the main attraction for the hoards of tourists that ascend on the coastal town during the summer.
Just outside of Tenby, you'll also find several family attractions that are perfect for kids (and kids at heart like myself). I'll also include these in the guide.
1. Soak up the sun on Tenby's beaches
Tenby is home to three main beaches which are all connected making it easy to walk between them when the tide is out. All are beautiful sandy beaches, but here's a summary of the main differences:
- South Beach: This beach (shown above) is blue flag certified and the longest of Tenby’s beaches. It's backed by sand dunes and is generally the easiest to relax on since there is so much space for everyone to spread out. At the far end of the beach is Giltar Point, more on this later.
ㅤㅤ - Castle Beach: This is the beach that sits in front of the iconic St. Catherine’s Island. You can walk across to the island at low tide which I would highly recommend. Other than this, Castle Beach gets very busy so I can't recommend spending much time here.
ㅤㅤ - North Beach: What I love about North Beach is that it's backed by the iconic colourful houses of Tenby. It's also the best beach for watersports since you can easily bring your gear down to the sand and paddleboards can even be hired directly on the beach during summer.
I found South Beach to be the best option during my visit since I prefer a quieter spot to relax, but it depends what you're looking for.
Side Note: Officially, there are two additional beaches in Tenby taking the total to five, however, you won't notice them since Penally Beach is an extension of South Beach and Harbour Beach merges with North Beach.
2. Enjoy the view from Castle Hill
Castle Hill is the rocky headland where you'll find the ruins of Tenby Castle, a 13th-century fortification that once protected the town.
Today, only a watch tower remains which you can’t go inside, however, Castle Hill offers an excellent view of the colourful houses along the clifftops. It's easy to see why Tenby was named one of the most Instagrammable coastal towns in Britain by The Times.
In the opposite direction, you can see the lifeboat station backed by stunning coastal views which is the best sunset spot in the town.
3. Step back in time at the Tudor Merchants House
Built around 1500, the three-storey Tudor Merchant House shows family life in Tudor Tenby with Tudor-style décor, furniture, painted clothes, and a Tudor herb garden.
The merchant who inhabited the house would have had a shop opening on the street, possibly selling wool, cloth, sea coal, vinegar, pots, or spices. The kitchen at the rear was centred around a fire and the family would have slept in the bedroom above.
The house is now managed by National Trust who have recreated the interior as it would have been during the Middle Ages.
Unfortunately, I last visited Tenby during the pandemic when numbers were being limited so I couldn't go myself which is why there are no photos here, but there is no longer a requirement to book.
4. Try stand-up paddleboarding with Outer Reef
If you fancy trying out some watersports such as stand paddleboarding or sea kayaking, Tenby is a great place for it.
At high tide, the harbour at North Beach is a great place for launching and landing without picking up a ton of sand. However, the main car park at the beach is at the opposite end to the harbour so you may want to drop your board off first, rather than carry it across the beach.
If you want to hire equipment or take lessons, I recommend checking out Outer Reef Surf School who run from North Beach. You can also try SUP Sessions from South Beach.
5. Visit St Catherine's Island and Fort
At the foot of Tenby's Castle Beach lies St Catherine's Island, a very small tidal island made from limestone and adorned with lots of tiny caves.
The island is best known as home to St. Catherine’s Fort, a Napoleonic fortress which was built in 1870 and fully armed 16 years later.
As well as military use, it was home to a zoo in the 1960s and was been used as a filming location for the TV show Sherlock. It shot to fame when YouTuber Joe Weller and his friends decided to survive 24 hours on the island, doing their best to scare each other along the way. You can watch the video here.
Today, the fort is open to visitors. Don't worry, you don't need to take a boat up to the island, just wait until the tide goes out and you can simply walk across.
The cost was £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, both cash and card accepted. I think it was worth the price as you get to explore the old tunnels and war rooms and you'll learn about the island's history from information panels and a video.
Keep in mind that it is usually closed between January and mid-March.
6. Visit Carew Castle and Tidal Mil
Around 10 minutes outside Tenby is Carew Castle, a stone castle that dates back to the medieval era although a defensive tower stood on this site much earlier.
Although the style is similar to other Norman castles in Wales, it's unique in that the castle was built on low-lying land rather than on top of a hill which would have been more strategic.
After years in ruin, the castle has been partially resorted and is open to visitors.
As well as exploring the historic ruins, there are plenty of activities at the castle which make it a great family day out, this includes dressing up, horse riding (on toy horses), an outdoor play area, and a fun walk around the meadow where they can learn to become a carew knight.
Next to Carew Castle, you'll find a restored Tidal Mill from the early 19th century which is also open to explore. I purchased the joint ticket to visit both which ended up being a great combo since the castle was more fun and photogenic whereas the mill was great for learning.
7. Enjoy a day out at Heatherton World of Activities
A 5-minute drive from Tenby, lies a venue for the more active holidaymaker. Heatherton World of Activities provides a good selection of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, including go-karting, high ropes, escape rooms, golf, bowling, bumper boats, a hedge maze, slides, archery, shooting, and paintballing.
The park advertises free admission but each activity inside requires individual payment. However, this is great for families who do not all want to participate in the activities. Heatherton is also dog friendly.
8. Go on a guided tour of Tenby
Exploring Tenby by yourself is great, but you can learn a whole lot more when you're shown around by a local. The Story of Tenby walking tour is run by Marion Davies, an official Wales tour guide who has been showing people around the top attractions in West Wales for over 20 years.
You can check the calendar on her website to find out about upcoming tours. The tours aren't super frequent, especially during off-season, which is why Marion has also created a self-guided audio tour on the VoiceMap app so you can still enjoy her storytelling any time you like.
The tour begins in Tudor Square and ends at Castle Hill. Throughout the tour you will hear details of a secret cellar and tunnel, the Five Arches gateway, Tenby’s early imports and exports, and you will see the Prince Albert Memorial, the Tudor Merchant’s House, and Tenby Castle.
9. Visit Caldey Island
Caldey Island (Ynys Bŷr) sits off the coast of Tenby and is one of just two islands in Wales with permanent residents (the other being Anglesey), although only 40 people live here.
On the island, you’ll find Caldey Abbey which has been the home of monks for thousands of years. About 20 monks live at the abbey making up half of the island’s population.
In fact, Caldey Abbey owns the island, making its money from tourism and from the sale of perfume and chocolate which they make on the island.
They can make perfume because the island is famous for its flowers and has many species that are rare across the rest of the country. It also has rich wildlife, one of the few places in Wales where red squirrels can be found in the wild and home to many birds too.
At the northwest of Caldey Island is a small nature reserve where seabirds including guillemots, razorbills, and cormorants breed. There's also a stunning walk up to Caldey Lighthouse.
During the summer months, boats run at least once per hour from Tenby to Caldey Island (except Sundays when the island is closed). Find out more about how to get there in this guide.
10. Visit St Govan’s Chapel
Made of limestone and built into the side of a cliff, St Govan's Chapel measures just 6.1 m × 3.7 m in size. Mostly built in the thirteenth century, although parts of it may date back further to the sixth century when Saint Govan (a monk) moved into a cave located on the site of the chapel.
According to legend, St Govan was travelling the coast of Pembrokeshire when he was chased by pirates. A cleft opened up in the rocks allowing him to hide from his enemies. It closed behind him so that the pirates could not find him. Some suggest that Saint Govan is buried underneath the altar.
The chapel is located on the Wales Coastal Path and easily accessible from a nearby car park by descending down 74 steps. It is around 30 minutes from Tenby but makes a great day trip. Whilst here, you should also check out the Green Bridge of Wales, the Huntsman's Leap, and Stack Rocks.
11. Walk to Giltar Point
If you walk all the way across Tenby South Beach, you’ll reach Giltar Point where you can climb along the cliffside for incredible panoramic views of Tenby and its surrounding islands.
The walk is perfectly suitable for all abilities, although to get to the very top with the best view, you do need to climb up some rocks which might be difficult for younger children.
12. Mingle With Alpacas at Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking
Mynext activity in Tenby involves making friends with some beautiful and friendly alpacas at Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking.
Now, don't get too worried, they may have 'trekking' in their name, but it's nothing more than a walk around a few fields at a farm just outside Tenby, so it's very family-friendly and perfect for anyone over the age of 5.
The alpacas were really well-behaved but somewhat shy until we had food in our hands. Your guide will give you clear instructions about handling them and everyone felt very safe, even those that were a little nervous to begin with soon came around.
As well as walking with the alpacas, you’ll learn a lot about them from the guide and have a chance to stroke or feed some of them at the end too.
For more information, read my full review of Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking (with photos).
13. Visit Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot is not technically in Tenby but it’s close by (around a 5-minute drive from Tenby town centre). It is a large seaside village with high-quality restaurants and cafes selling local Pembrokeshire produce and a range of accommodation for all budgets.
The beach is wide, sandy and boasts blue flag status. However, a complete dog ban on the beach is in place between May and September (much like most of Tenby’s beaches).
14. Experience the Mighty Manorbier Castle
This beautiful Norman castle ‘Castell Maenorbŷr’ in Welsh overlooks Manorbier Beach and Manorbier village behind it. It was founded by The Barry family in the 11th century and under the control of the earls of Pembroke.
The castle boasts round and square towers, a great hall, a chapel, some original frescoes (mural paintings), gardens and café and the village has a Norman Church to visit as well as The Dovecote (a grade 1 listed ancient monument).
When I visited, the castle;e closed early for a private event, so it may be worth calling up in advance to check that days opening times. Public events are sometimes held at the Castle, such as live music and Archery, click here for upcoming events.
15. Get Spooked on the Tenby Ghost Walk
Led by a local guide, this tongue-in-cheek tour will take you to some of Tenby’s hotspots, but instead of the usual stories, you’ll get insider stories about ghosts, pirates, and strange happenings around Tenby.
There were some spooky occurrences on the way around, but don’t worry, you won’t be too frightened as this is a family-friendly activity.
My tour was led by Marion (the same guide that led the main Tenby walking tour) who was super enthusiastic and really brought the stories to life. She was also great at keeping children engaged too. Find out more here.
16. Have a Jurrasic time at The Dinosaur Park
Less than 10 minutes from Tenby by car, you'll find The Dinosaur Park, an adventure park that's entirely themed around dinosaurs. Yes, you heard me!
Some of the things you can do here include taking a guided tour around their 30 life-sized dinosaurs that roar, T-rex-themed mini golf, go-karting around a dinosaur-infested track, and more.
The park has activities for all ages, from playgrounds and games for toddlers right up to adventure nets and self-drive boats for older children. Plus, you're guaranteed to learn a thing or two about Wales' prehistoric past.
17. Catch your evening meal on a mackerel fishing trip
From Tenby harbour you can enjoy a spot of mackerel fishing! It doesn’t matter whether you are a novice or experienced as they can accommodate all skill levels.
The whole family can enjoy the boat trip, even if they are not interested in fishing and you get to keep whatever you catch. Perfect for a summer BBQ! Check out Mackrel Fishing Tenby for information about upcoming trips.
Related Questions
What Does the Name Tenby Mean?
The Welsh name for Tenby, ‘Dynbych Y Pygod,’ translates as ‘little fortress of the fish’ which may be due to its beginnings as a coastal fort.
Is Tenby Worth Visiting?
Yes, Tenby is worth visiting because it offers so much in a small area, with fabulous sandy beaches, islands, attractions and a variety of activities.
What is Tenby Known For?
Tenby is best-known for its pretty pastel-coloured houses that overlook the golden sandy beaches below. In historical terms, Tenby is known as the place where Henry VII made an escape to France at age 14 using the underground tunnels of the town (source: Wales Online).
Is it Easy to Park in Tenby?
It's fairly easy to park in Tenby. Whilst on-street parking is mainly for residents but there are seven council-run car parks around as well as some privately run car parks. The multi-storey car park on Upper Park Road is open year-round and makes a convenient parking spot.
Is Tenby Expensive?
Yes, Tenby is quite expensive. As it is a popular tourist destination, prices are generally a bit more expensive than most other Welsh seaside towns.
Can I Get to Tenby Easily By Train or Bus?
Yes, Tenby is easy to access via train and bus. Tenby’s Grade II listed Victorian railway station is worth a visit in itself. Two hourly train services from Swansea run to Tenby and the ferry port at Pembroke Dock. Bus services run along the south coast and inland to both Haverfordwest and Kilgetty.
Published: 20 October 2022 · Last updated: 25 September 2023