Hotels in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire: Coastal Wales at Its Rawest

Pembrokeshire sits at the southwestern tip of Wales, where the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park — the only strictly coastal national park in the UK, designated in 1952 — protects 186 miles of clifftop paths, sea stacks, and sandy coves. St Davids, the smallest city in Britain by population (~1,800 residents), anchors the peninsula and draws visitors to its 12th-century Cathedral of St David, the patron saint of Wales. Tenby, a medieval walled town 10 miles east of Pembroke, offers the most concentrated hotel and guesthouse stock in the county, with Georgian townhouses lining its harbour.

Where to Stay

Most accommodation clusters in Tenby, St Davids, and Haverfordwest, the county town roughly 8 miles inland from the coast. Walkers tackling the Pembrokeshire Coast Path typically base in St Davids or the village of Newport in the north. Families favour Saundersfoot, 3 miles north of Tenby, for its sheltered beach and direct rail access from Cardiff (about 2 hours 20 minutes).

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Trains run to Tenby and Pembroke Dock from Cardiff Central; journey around 2.5 hours.
• Best season: May–September for coastal path walking; April for St David's Day atmosphere.
• Pack layers: Atlantic weather changes quickly even in summer — a waterproof jacket is essential.
• Ferries: Irish Ferries and Stena Line both depart from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare, Ireland.