Tenby (Welsh: Dinbych-y-Pysgod, "little town of fishes") is a beautiful walled town in South Wales that spills out pastel colored buildings along cliffs and around sandy bays. Tenby is one of Wales' premier tourist spots, and is located on the south Pembrokeshire coast, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Swansea.
The town of Tenby dates back to the Norman conquest, and the town walls were constructed in 1093 in order to defend it from the Welsh. Due to its somewhat remote location, however, the town and its quaint cobble streets and sandy beaches remained off the tourist trail until the Victorian era. Then, with the influx of wealthy merchant families from Swansea, Cardiff and further afield, Tenby was suddenly in a vogue, and the town's appeal as a picturesque spa has remained ever since. Although, Tenby is one of Wales' most popular holiday destinations, it has resisted over commercialization and remains a very elegant and pleasant family holiday venue..
Cars are banned from the historic centre of the town during the summer months, which adds greatly to the appeal of the town as a place to relax and unwind.
- Narrow cobbled streets packed with quaint shops and cafes.
- Caldey Island. A Cistercian Monastery located on an island just off Tenby's coast. At low tide, ferries leave from Tenby Castle Beach and at high tide from Tenby Harhour. Fare: £10 (£5 for children)
- Tudor Merchant's House, Quay Hill, Tenby, SA70 7BX, +44 1834 842279. Open April 1 to September 30, M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12noon - 3PM. A 15th century town house open to the public.
- Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Hill, SA70 7BP, +44 1834 842809.
- North Beach, Tenby. North beach looks onto Tenby's old fishing harbour and out onto Camarthen Bay. This beach provides one of the most popular backdrops for portrait pictures and is the focus of most photographers who visit Tenby, providing them with some of the most dramatic sunrises set parallel to a quaint pastel coloured harbour filled with working trawlers. Goscar Rock sits in the centre of this mile long beach providing hours of fun for young and old to sift through the rock pools, shelter from the winds and, for those who dare, a small climbing adventure (although not advised for any novice climber).
- St Lawrence’s Church. Gumfreston's Church of St Lawrence is romantically situated in a wooded dell and dates from the late 12th century although generally of the 14th to 16th centuries. The tower was formerly detached and the church was well restored in 1869, including new roofs and church furnishings. The porch on the western side may be a remnant of an earlier church on the site, which was a “llan” (walled enclosure around a church) in era of Celtic Christianity.
On the wall are the faded outlines of what was once a large and dramatic mural depicting Jesus Christ, fishing nets and other implements. This has been interpreted as a message to the congregation to avoid working on the Sabbath.
Three holy wells in the churchyard attracted pilgrims in ancient times. People still visit the church to collect a little of the well water, or to pray.
The revival of interest in Celtic Christianity has prompted the development of “services of light” every three months in the church, focusing on Celtic spirituality and led by lay members of the congregation. Services of stories and songs about Celtic saints are a popular feature of the Tenby Arts Festival. - Tenby dinosaur park.
- Ritec Fen. Ritec Valley site of special scientific interest
- Tenby Lifeboat Station, Castle Hill, +44 1834 842197. visitor exhibition and shop Free access but donations welcome.
Narrow cobbled streets packed with quaint shops and cafes.
Caldey Island. A Cistercian Monastery located on an island just off Tenby's coast. At low tide, ferries leave from Tenby Castle Beach and at high tide from Tenby Harhour. Fare: £10 (£5 for children)
Tudor Merchant's House, Quay Hill, Tenby, SA70 7BX, +44 1834 842279. Open April 1 to September 30, M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12noon - 3PM. A 15th century town house open to the public.
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Hill, SA70 7BP, +44 1834 842809.
North Beach, Tenby. North beach looks onto Tenby's old fishing harbour and out onto Camarthen Bay. This beach provides one of the most popular backdrops for portrait pictures and is the focus of most photographers who visit Tenby, providing them with some of the most dramatic sunrises set parallel to a quaint pastel coloured harbour filled with working trawlers. Goscar Rock sits in the centre of this mile long beach providing hours of fun for young and old to sift through the rock pools, shelter from the winds and, for those who dare, a small climbing adventure (although not advised for any novice climber).
St Lawrence’s Church. Gumfreston's Church of St Lawrence is romantically situated in a wooded dell and dates from the late 12th century although generally of the 14th to 16th centuries. The tower was formerly detached and the church was well restored in 1869, including new roofs and church furnishings. The porch on the western side may be a remnant of an earlier church on the site, which was a “llan” (walled enclosure around a church) in era of Celtic Christianity.
On the wall are the faded outlines of what was once a large and dramatic mural depicting Jesus Christ, fishing nets and other implements. This has been interpreted as a message to the congregation to avoid working on the Sabbath.
Three holy wells in the churchyard attracted pilgrims in ancient times. People still visit the church to collect a little of the well water, or to pray.
The revival of interest in Celtic Christianity has prompted the development of “services of light” every three months in the church, focusing on Celtic spirituality and led by lay members of the congregation. Services of stories and songs about Celtic saints are a popular feature of the Tenby Arts Festival.
Tenby dinosaur park.
Ritec Fen. Ritec Valley site of special scientific interest
Tenby Lifeboat Station, Castle Hill, +44 1834 842197. visitor exhibition and shop Free access but donations welcome.
- Walking. There are some great walking trails in and around Tenby. The coastal path (part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) goes through Tenby and is well signposted. Walk to Saundersfoot along the coast (4.5 miles/7km) and get the bus back or do a short circular walk} at Manorbier a few miles along the coast.
- Swimming. Tenby has some beautiful beaches, which are ideal for swimming and spending a traditional family day at the sea-side.
- Take a leisurely rickshaw or horse and cart tour around the town centre.
- The Tenby Arts Festival is held in mid-September.
- Tenby Cycles, +44 1834 845573. The Norton. Bikes for hire.
- Heatherton World of Activities, St Florence, +44 1646 652000. Open Daily from 10am. Dog-friendly sport and activity attraction, offering over 30 activities. Free Admission.
- Boat trips, Harbour (Tickets from kiosk at top of Tenby harbour. Boat trips to Caldey Island or wildlife cruises to see seals and sometimes dolphins in the bay or around the island
- Manor House Wildlife Park, St Florence, Tenby.
- Tenby Blues Festival, +44 7074 10 21 21. In November, a Blues Festival in over 15 venues all around Tenby town, from Friday thru Sunday with performers from all around the world
- Reflexology, +44 7914654255. Mobile reflexology available at your home or holiday accommodation. From £25 per treatment.
- Ritec Valley Quadbikes, Roberts Wall, Penally.
- Trefloyne Manor Golf Club.
- Tenby Golf Club, The Burrows.
Walking. There are some great walking trails in and around Tenby. The [[Pembrokeshire Coast Path|coastal path]] (part of the [[Pembrokeshire Coast National Park]]) goes through Tenby and is well signposted. Walk to [[Saundersfoot]] along the coast (4.5 miles/7km) and get the bus back or do a short circular walk} at [[Manorbier]] a few miles along the coast.
Swimming. Tenby has some beautiful beaches, which are ideal for swimming and spending a traditional family day at the sea-side.
Take a leisurely rickshaw or horse and cart tour around the town centre.
The Tenby Arts Festival is held in mid-September.
Tenby Cycles, +44 1834 845573. The Norton. Bikes for hire.
Heatherton World of Activities, St Florence, +44 1646 652000. Open Daily from 10am. Dog-friendly sport and activity attraction, offering over 30 activities. Free Admission.
Boat trips, Harbour (Tickets from kiosk at top of Tenby harbour. Boat trips to Caldey Island or wildlife cruises to see seals and sometimes dolphins in the bay or around the island
Manor House Wildlife Park, St Florence, Tenby.
Tenby Blues Festival, +44 7074 10 21 21. In November, a Blues Festival in over 15 venues all around Tenby town, from Friday thru Sunday with performers from all around the world
Reflexology, +44 7914654255. Mobile reflexology available at your home or holiday accommodation. From £25 per treatment.
Ritec Valley Quadbikes, Roberts Wall, Penally.
Trefloyne Manor Golf Club.
Tenby Golf Club, The Burrows.
- Tenby has many interesting shops tucked away in the alleys.
- The Caldey Island gift shop at the top of Quay Hill has some unusual hand made gifts. Try the chocolate. It's delicious!
The Caldey Island gift shop at the top of Quay Hill has some unusual hand made gifts. Try the chocolate. It's delicious!
As a major tourist centre, Tenby is certainly not lacking in cafes and restaurants.
- Plantagenet House, Quay Hill - in an historic stone building, good and reasonably priced meals, wood burning stove in winter.
- 25 Cafe, 25 High Street. Simple, but freshly made meals.
- Fecci & Sons Ice Cream Parlour, Upper Frog Street.
- Ossie Morgan's Restaurant, Fourcroft Hotel, +44 1834 842886. Featuring local, seasonal produce, meals are freshly prepared by skilled chefs familiar with a seaside appetite. Traditional cooked breakfasts, bar lunches and evening menus.
- The Baytree, Tudor Square, +44 1834 843516.
- Qube Restaurant, Tudor Square, +44 1834 844565. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Local food, quality ingredients.
Plantagenet House, Quay Hill - in an historic stone building, good and reasonably priced meals, wood burning stove in winter.
25 Cafe, 25 High Street. Simple, but freshly made meals.
Fecci & Sons Ice Cream Parlour, Upper Frog Street.
Ossie Morgan's Restaurant, Fourcroft Hotel, +44 1834 842886. Featuring local, seasonal produce, meals are freshly prepared by skilled chefs familiar with a seaside appetite. Traditional cooked breakfasts, bar lunches and evening menus.
The Baytree, Tudor Square, +44 1834 843516.
Qube Restaurant, Tudor Square, +44 1834 844565. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Local food, quality ingredients.
There are a large number of pubs to be found in Tenby, many offering food during the day in a family friendly environment.
- Caffe Vista, 3 Crackwell Street. Overlooking the harbour and North Beach, in a Georgian building. Great views, outstanding coffee, cakes, good breakfasts and Greek food.
- 25 Cafe, 25 High Street.
Caffe Vista, 3 Crackwell Street. Overlooking the harbour and North Beach, in a Georgian building. Great views, outstanding coffee, cakes, good breakfasts and Greek food.
25 Cafe, 25 High Street.