Tenby
Where are we?
Tenby is a seaside town in the south western tip of Wales, Pembrokeshire. The welsh name is Dinbych-y-Pysgod which means "The little town of the fishes". Tenby is part of the Carmarthen Bay in the south eastern part of Pembrokeshire. The town has a population of around ... Read review
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Advantages: Beautiful views, A lot to do, Clean and Tidy, Beach!, Coastal Walks, Advantages are endless. Disadvantages: During Peak seasons it can be busy, crowded beaches in high seasons
== Tenby ==
=== Where are we? ===
Tenby is a seaside town in the south western tip of Wales, Pembrokeshire. The welsh name is Dinbych-y-Pysgod which means "The little town of the fishes". Tenby is part of the Carmarthen Bay in the south eastern part of Pembrokeshire. The town has a population of around 5000 people and is truly one of Britain's best coastal towns. Tenby is home to museums and is partly a castle ... ...and books. At high tide Tenby has in total four different beaches, South, North, Castle and Harbour Beach. As the tides go out, the South Beach and the Castle Beach merge together. This is also the same with the North Beach and the Harbour Beach, creating another larger beach. One of the main things that people may remember Tenby for is it's vast array of coloured houses, completely transforming the view and feel of the town.
Tenby is a seaside town in the south western tip of Wales, Pembrokeshire. The welsh name is Dinbych-y-Pysgod which means "The little town of the fishes". Tenby is part of the Carmarthen Bay in the south eastern part of Pembrokeshire. The town has a population of around 5000 people and is truly one of Britain's best coastal towns. Tenby is home to museums and is partly a castle in itself, with St Catherine's Tidal Island and it's fort, just alongside it. The town has been home to many writers, artists and even the inventor of the = sign, capturing the stunning scenery and excellent feel and atmosphere into paintings and books. At high tide Tenby has in total four different beaches, South, North, Castle and Harbour Beach. As the tides go out, the South Beach and the Castle Beach merge together. This is also the same with the North Beach and the Harbour Beach, creating another larger beach. One of the main things that people may remember Tenby for is it's vast array of coloured houses, completely transforming the view and feel of the town.
Brief History
The date that Tenby was built is unknown but there have been references of a settlement in the south Pembrokeshire area as far back as the ninth century. In the 13th Century the 1st Earl Of Pembroke built the town walls around Tenby which are still standing today, alongside the Five Arches Gate. The tidal Island, St Catherine's might at one point have been part of the main coastline, but in 1870 there was a Fort built on it which is still standing today.
North Beach
On many of our camping holidays we used to camp at a site located between Tenby and Saundersfoot, called Travayn. We used to take out at least one day every holiday to walk along the coastal path to Tenby and the first view of Tenby you get is of the North Beach and St Catherine's Island alongside the array of colourful houses. As soon as we could we used to make our way onto the North Beach and walk along to the Harbour and up into the town. We have also spent hours sitting on this part of the Beach, at the top end of the Beach furthest away from the town, usually deserted compared to the other Beaches. The disadvantage of this being that you haven't got as easy access to toilet facilities and if you want to waste money on Sunbeds and the vast quantity of "Bucket n' Spade" stalls then this is the wrong place to be. To the far north side of the harbour beach there are a lot of rock pools where the beach ends and meets the cliff, if your wanting to search the rock pools, make sure you bring some sandals or beach shoes because the rocks are full of barnacles. The North Beach is also the home to the very noticeable and prominent "Goskar Rock" which is simple a massive rock standing in the middle of the beach. I hadn't actually realised until I did a bit of research before I started on the review, that there is a Dog Ban on the north beach between the months of May and September. It's strange that I haven't noticed this before, but if your wanting to walk your dog between the months of May and September, North Beach isn't the place to do it.
Harbour Beach
The Harbour Beach is a very small patch of sand which sits between the town and the harbour. This beach is never touched by the incoming tide and it shows in the quality of the sand. The Beach is home to the Sailing Club and also offers convenient Toilets and a lot of "Bucket n' Spade" stalls. It is generally the most crowded Beach of the four although it is also the smallest. We haven't spent much time on this Beach because of the amount of people that are there and it is a bit inconvenient if you want to get to the sea, walking through the Harbour and out across the North Beach, distance varying depending on the tide, but it can be a long walk.
Castle Beach
The Castle Beach is another small Beach at High Tide. You could roughly say that it is the same size as the Harbour Beach when the tide is at it's highest, and this is the part of the day which you want to avoid the beach. Same as the Harbour Beach you can buy many different Buckets and Spades and rent Deck Chairs, also having a close Toilet if you find the need. Castle Beach is patrolled by a Life Guard in the Summer Seasons during the day and as the tide goes out you'll find an amazing stretch of beach which joins itself with the South Beach. It might be good to note that you can't walk between the South Beach and the Castle Beach during High Tide. Personally we have spent a bit of time using this beach but have always made sure we go during low tide when the whole of the beach is uncovered. This is also the beach which you will find the Boat Trips being launched from, trips to Caldey Island and generally just boat rides around the bay. The Castle Beach at low tide also creates access to St Catherine's Island and it's Fort although you can't actually get onto the island itself due to the cliffs, the only way is by taking a footpath which isn't open to the public.
South Beach
The South Beach is the largest of all four beaches and connects with the Castle Beach at low tide. The beach runs down the coast into the distance to Giltar Point and also has it's own car park, costing £2 per day. I haven't spent much time on the South Beach because of the fact that it is pretty far from the main shopping area of Tenby, although it does have toilets nearby it is a bit of a walk if your wanting any more than that. The South Beach has won a Tidy Britain Group Sea Award, which means nothing really to me as the other three beaches match it's quality.
Accommodation
Tents/Caravans - If your wanting to camp around Tenby there are only a few different sites which I would consider, at the top of the list Trevayn Farm Camping and Caravanning a bit up the coast from Tenby, which has stunning views over the bay. Unfortunately from where the tents and caravans are placed on this site you can't get a direct view of Tenby although if you walk to the bottom of the field you will get an amazing view over Tenby. Apparently legally they aren't allowed to have any Tents which can be seen from Tenby, which I think is pretty stupid. Trevayn is a farm and has some animals to watch, including horses and last time we went, Piglets. The owners are very welcoming, the Tarrifs are around £11-£16 a night for a family of four in a tent and pets are allowed.
Static Caravan - If your wanting to rent a caravan, near Tenby, Kiln Park is the place to go. Kiln Park is a holiday site and has nearly everything you could want, pools, gold, cafe's, play areas, snooker tables, kid's clubs and a spa. The site is really friendly and you do get what you pay for. I really like this site because it is close to Tenby and has some very good facilities. Trevayn could be seen as a municipal site next to Kiln Park, but it really does show in the prices, reaching over £60 a night for some of the caravans.
Hotels - If your coming to Tenby to stay in a hotel, I recommend going the full way and booking into Four Croft Hotel. It's located just up the hill from Tenby, right on the coast with an amazing view over Tenby itself. You couldn't get any better in terms of views, but again, you pay for it. It has it's own garden looking over the beach and offers free accommodation to children under 15 sharing with parents. A full welsh breakfast is provided and the majority of the 40 rooms overlook the bay. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and there is no way I could fault the hotel. The prices are from £50 to £80 a night depending on the season.
Shopping
Over the many years that I've visited here, staying in a tent, we needed provisions, mainly food. There was a Summerfield in town centre, but last time we visited it had shut down and we had to drive for half an hour to find a suitable supermarket. They are building another supermarket in it's place and if I remember right it's open already. If not, there is a small Coop in Tenby along with a few other smaller food shops and fruit stalls. The rest of the shops in Tenby are generally geared towards the tourists with plenty of shops selling novelties and buckets and spades. You will also find a WHSmith, a Holland and Barrets, plenty of old book shops and bars around, a very good fishing shop and there used to be a Woolworths there as well. On a Wednesday and a Saturday there is a car boot sale just outside of Tenby which we visit every year, you will find nearly everything you are looking for here and I can guarantee you will not leave empty handed. Another of the highlights of Tenby is a small glass blowing shop, with the owner stood behind the counter making the glass objects that you buy, right in front of you!
What Can I do In Tenby?
There are many different places to visit in and around the Tenby area, I will try and concentrate on those in Tenby itself because the review is actually about Tenby! Other than the four main attractions I have explained below, there are day trips that you can do across Pembrokeshire which will take you to secluded beaches and castles.
Silent World Aquarium and Reptile Collection
If your an animal lover and your staying in Tenby this is one of the "Must" attractions. The Silent World Aquarium is housed in an old chapel which is very peaceful and tranquil. There are over 100 species of fish are on display, fish, crabs, sea stars, shellfish, the list goes on and on. They also have over 50 different snakes, lizards, frogs and spiders also on display, most of them you can touch and handle. Visitors are asked to park in the North Beach car park because there is nearly no parking around the aquarium itself. It's a 5 minute walk from the North Beach car park and they also say you can drop off passengers outside the Aquarium before heading off and parking. The upstairs area has no disabled access and there are no public toilets in the aquarium itself, although the staff do say that in emergencies there is the staff toilets. Prices are £3 for children, £5 for adults and £15 for a family of 4. There are also season tickets available. I've been over here twice now and it's a very enjoyable experience, being able to hold and touch most of the snakes and lizards.
Trefloyne Golf Club
For the golfers, this is a stunning course to play on, overlooking Tenby and the bay. The club is very posh and the prices match it as well, costing from £15 - £27 per round per person, depending on the time, person and season. The course will certainly test your golfing ability and the standards of the club are very high. There is a very strict dress code in place on the course, having to wear golfing shoes at all time, Jeans, Tracksuits, Football and Rugby shirts are all banned and you have to even tuck your shirt into your trousers! Club and bag sharing is strictly forbidden. Once you get past the rules you will really have an enjoyable time and there is a bar and restaurant available in the club house offering meals and snacks at average prices.
Quad Biking
Two minutes drive out of Tenby, you will find the Ritec Valley Quad Bikes, a massive 25km route for quad biking. If your under 16, a 30 minute ride with everything included will cost you £17.50 and for an adult with the same offer, £21.00. The prices are high, but on average it's a good price for quad biking. If you have the time to pop out here, it's definitely worth while checking out. The site is currently closed, reopening early 2010, there's WIFI points with no charge and you must watch out for the weather. In wet weather the routes may close down, talking from experience, if it's raining on the day which you have booked, phone up to make sure that the routes and site is still open or you might be disappointed when you arrive.
Fishing - "Tenby Fishing"
This is another of the activities which I would highly recommend from experience. Tenby Fishing is a company which takes people out on boats to fish just off the coast, generally looking for Mackerel. You don't need any experience at all and the staff on board will always be there to help you out if don't have a clue what your doing, like I didn't! It's open from May - September and there's a flat rate of £10 per person for a 90 minute trip. All equipment is provided, all you need to do is turn up on the day. The boat is limited to groups of smaller than 12 people, or the boat may sink! One of the main aspects that I loved about this fishing trip was that the skipper lets you keep all of the fish that you catch, or set them free if you want too. He will also demonstrate how to fillet and show you the best ways to cook the fish if your wanting too.
Eating Out
There is a wide choice of places to eat out in Tenby, from fish and chip shops to top quality restaurants, from £5 meals to £35 meals, Tenby has it all. At the bottom of the range, I would recommend Park Road Fish and Chip Shop, offering amazing chips, possibly the best in Pembrokeshire. The prices are average Fish and Chip shops. Of the various Pubs and Inns for a meal I would recommend the Crown Inn, although it doesn't have a good view of the sea, it's warm and friendly and offers some decent prices. The average meal at the Crown Inn will set you back £10, these range from lasagne to battered cod and different curries. At the top of the range in restaurants, if you have the money to splash out at the Blue Ball restaurant, the average meal will cost you £35. It has a large and varied menu from traditional, sea food and European dishes.
Overall
Overall my experiences of Tenby are very good, I don't know much of the night life because that isn't really my sort of thing. There is a lot to do around Tenby and it really does have the pleasant seaside town feel too it. There are other places you can visit around the coast of Tenby, secluded beaches, caves and coves, days out and much more.
More Information
Here are the websites of some help sites for Tenby, extra information and the websites of the Hotels, Camp Sites and Activities.
Tenby In General - (http://www.virtualtenby.co.uk/)
Advantages: scenic, lovely beaches, attractions for all the family Disadvantages: competitive urination isn't my thing
...to explain why. We visited Tenby for the first time on the Saturday evening. We parked in the car park (the main car park next to South Beach is £2 per day), and walked down to the steps (access to the beaches is either by steps or walkways, they aren't at road level). I was just about to take Eleanor down a set of steps when I noticed a man standing there relieving himself of excess bodily fluid quite brazenly and in the middle of the steps! Needless ... ...Well, off the coast of Tenby is Caldey island, which has a monastery and a lovely beach. Boat trips are regular, but the return trip (40 minutes) won't give you much change out of £20 for a family of four. There are other trips, seal watching or just cruising around the bay.
Nearby are some lovely beaches. If you want slightly touristy, there is Saundersfoot, which is a village 3 miles to the north. Again this has a lovely beach and all the amenities ...
Nolly 30.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tenby (Wales)
Advantages: Mild climate, Unspoilt, Good beaches, lots to do, pubs and restaurants, family friendly. Disadvantages: Bit secluded, weather can spoil if your unlucky
Tenby is one my favourite seaside resorts that I have visited in the U.K. I first went there as a teenager and enjoyed many days there and recently re-discovered it ten years later. It is very popular and has become a bit of a haven for youngsters but it has lost none of it's charmful appeal.
~Location~
Tenby lies in Pembrokeshire which is a naturally beautiful area of the U.K. Pembrokeshire is still undiscovered compared to other areas and appears ... ...A478 from Cardigan are alternatives. Tenby has a train station with a direct route into Paddington, London and a bustling Bus service too.
~History~
Tenby had always been a fishing village in the Camarthen Bay until the Norman conquerors in the thirteenth century established Tenby as a Welsh out-post. The Welsh Princes took offence and ransacked Tenby several times which led to the town being fortified by strong walls, much of which have lasted ...
WormThatTurned 26.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tenby (Wales)
Advantages: A good variety of activities, lovely scenery. Disadvantages: None, although perhaps a long drive for those not close to the M4 motorway
Tenby in Pembrokeshire is a bustling holiday town, plenty of shops for those who need a bit of retail therapy, plenty of pubs and eating places at prices to suit every pocket. As a bonus, Tenby is a seriously scenic resort, with Blue Flag beaches, lots and lots of sand, and boat trips to Caldey Island or just around the bays nearby.
We travelled from Shropshire, and the journey was around 165 miles, no motorway travelling involved, so it was literally ... ...guard, don’t get me wrong, Tenby is great for children, the beaches especially are clean and spacious, just watch the little darlings when walking near the cliff top walls.
Food in local pubs is very good and priced reasonably; there are a couple of pricey eateries but most do meals starting at around the £4 -£5 mark.
Down in the harbour you can purchase tickets for sea cruises or perhaps a trip across to Caldey Island. Caldey Island is very ...
Lynda04 16.06.2001 (17.06.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tenby (Wales)
Tenby is one of those places that for years I only heard about, and alot of the stuff I heard really wasn't that great. However, maybe the place had changed by the time I got round to going there, but I loved it! Tenby is situated in Pembrokeshire on the West Coast of Wales, near to Saundersfoot, and a stones throw away from Oakwood theme park. Pembrokeshire is one of few areas which I would not reccommend going to without the use of the car. This ... ...that meets the eye.
Tenby itself is a lovely little coastal town, with a couple of gorgeaous golden beaches, which always seem to be relatively clean despite being so close to the oil refinery at Milford Haven. The town itself is not somewhere I would recommend to go shopping for the day, although it has alot of nice little souvenir shops aswell as your usual sea side tack. There is also a woolworths and a few other mainstream shops if you need ...
NATI 16.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tenby (Wales)
I have been going to Tenby and the surrounding areas with my family every year since I was about 6 months old and I even took my first steps in our old caravan down there!
From Birmingham it can take about 3 and half to 4 hours to drive there, but it is well worth the drive! hey I even driven there first thing in the morning just to spend the day there and drive home in the evening!
Tenby itself is one of the main big towns in Pembrokeshire, it ... ...these places as well as Tenby as they all help make it the beautiful place it is.
Tenby
As I've said Tenby is one of the main big towns in the area, it has a fantastic range of shops from your seaside pound shops and gift shops through to your regular high street shops, perfect for all the shoppoholics out there!
In Tenby there are 2 beaches, North Beach and South Beach. Both are very big and have ammusements. South Beach offers boat trips to ...
gingelou 08.11.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tenby (Wales)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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Advantages: Plenty of attractions, spectacular countryside and coast Disadvantages: Slightly sad towns
-shop paradise of Scunthorpe. The fact that it is tasteful, even chic, was a surprise. The broad and sandy North Beach is clean and relatively empty. This is because everybody congregates in the town centre. Here you'll find an eclectic choice of gift shops, attractive wine bars and bistros, as well as the more traditional seaside rock shops and chippies. The old town walls remain in places and there are fine views over the bays and out to Caldey Island, to which there are frequent boat trips.
A few miles west of Tenby is Wales's biggest theme park, Oakwood. Fans of white-knuckle mayhem probably think Oakwood is tame, but I found it a quaint, low-tech park, with a family atmosphere. It specialises in self-powered rides: pedalos; a bungee jump (there's an extra charge for this); a bobsleigh run (on a long metal slide rather than ice). Its newest ...
Silverback 16.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Wales
Advantages: Ruins in a good state. Beautiful surroundings. Free parking and cheap entrance fee Disadvantages: Victorian cottage looks totally out of place
Whilst on holiday recently down in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, we were on route to the seaside town of Tenby when we drove past a sign for Manorbier Castle. We hadn't actually heard of this place, so always on the lookout for surprises we turned off. After a few minutes down a narrow lane we reached the village of Manorbier and parked in the beachside car park. From here we took the short stroll, following the signposts to Manorbier Castle.
The location of this castle on cliffs overlooking Manorbier beach and with a fresh water supply just inland, made it an obvious place to build a fortification in the Norman times. Gerald of Wales, a reasonably famous prince, scholar and writer from the 12th century was known to have been born here, and described the castle as the nicest view in Wales in one of his many writings.
The castle ...
