Pembrokeshire, Wales' most popular coastal destination, is a county in the south
west of Wales. The county town is Haverfordwest, home of
Slebech Park
as well as Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
is the only coastal national park of its kind in the United Kingdom and one of three
national parks in Wales (Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons the other two). Much of Pembrokeshire,
especially the south which is known as Little England Beyond Wales, as it has been
English in language and culture for many centuries.
The Great Outdoors
Pembrokeshire's coastline comprises of internationally important seabird breeding
sites and numerous Blue Flag beaches and bays. In fact, no other county in Britain
has more Blue Flag Beaches or Seaside Award Beaches than Pembrokeshire. There are
over 50 beaches to choose from so whether you wish to go surfing, kayaking, kite
surfing or just bathing, there is bound to be one to suit your needs.
Pembrokeshire is very much a pristine natural environment with clean seas and lush
vegetation making for rich and varied habitats such as the islands Skomer, Skokholm,
Ramsey, Grassholm and Caldey. Here you will find such wildlife as thousands of Puffins,
Manx Shearwaters, Guillimots, Razorbills, Short Eared Owls, Skomer Voles and Grey
Seals. Surrounding both Skomer and Skokholm is a marine nature reserve, one of only
3 in the UK.
The deep waters off Pembrokeshire are also good place to see Cetaceans: whales,
dolphins and porpoises. Over a hundred bottlenose dolphins live permanently in Cardigan
Bay, off the North Pembrokeshire coast, as do harbour porpoises, their smaller cousins.
During summer months, thousands of visiting dolphins can sometimes be seen, many
with very young calves. Numerous whales pass the tip of Pembrokeshire as they pass
through the Irish Sea and sightings of very large whales are quite common as well
as smaller species like minke whales. At The Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran
where you can find extensive reed-bed habitat abutting the Teifi estuary and flanked
by woodland.
Forts & Castles
For those into history, Pembrokeshire offers 51 forts and castles including enormous
stone fortressed like Pembroke castle, Manorbier Castle and Carew castle, as well
as the medieval walled towns of Tenby and Pembroke and fortified bishop's palaces
at St Davids and Lamphey.
Tourist Attractions in Pembrokeshire
As well as the many great outdoor activities to see and do in Pembrokeshire, there
are also several popular tourist attractions. Oakwood theme park offers roller coasters
include Megafobia, voted best wooden roller coaster in the world, and Hydro using
nine tons of boat, a million gallons of water and a 45ft splash - you can expect
to get wet! Visit the Oakwood theme park has something for every age from white
knuckle rides to family fun rides and indoor play areas.
The Dinosaur Park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire is home to twenty two life sized animated
dinosaurs, in a woodland setting. Watch out when you take the mile long walk through
ancient woodlands, on boardwalks, across swamps on the trail of over 30 pre-historic
monsters - listen up, be prepared, there's lots of surprises! Other attractions
include a mini theatre with daily programmes, an adventure playground and Dino's
Play Den for younger children.
Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest, a former medieval town and the county town of Pembrokeshire, is 6
miles away from the village of Broad Haven, part of the
Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park, and is also home to Haverfordwest Castle, established during Norman times
in 1120 by the Norman Gilbert de Chuv.
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Slebech Park
is situated in Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest is considered to be Pembrokeshire's principal commercial and retail
centre and there has been the development of a river-side shopping centre in recent
years and a Marks & Spencer (ideal for food shopping if self-catering at Slebech
Park).