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.
» 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).