The Staycation Location That Has Got Everybody Talking

When it comes to staycations, the UK has plenty of choices!

You’ve got Brighton for the beach and hipster cafes, you’ve got Edinburgh for epic architecture and then you’ve got London for...well, everything else! But what a lot of people are only just starting to clue into, is the spectacular combination of wild scenery and quaint seaside charm of Pembrokeshire.

Nestled away in the south-western tip of the country, the county of Pembrokeshire has the sort of natural scenery you’d expect to find along California’s Pacific 1 Highway. Except that Pembroke is right here on your doorstep and is entirely jet-lag free! 

So if you’re looking for an autumnal getaway that won’t break the bank but will definitely give your ‘grams a good boost, then Pembrokeshire just might be the place for you, and here’s our top three reasons why...

If you’ve ever planned a beach trip in the UK, you’ve probably already heard of Tenby. But unless you’ve been there recently, you won’t have heard about or seen just how charming and family-friendly the seaside town has become.

With a bustling high street that’s studded with a combination of familiar favourites and independents, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing which ice cream parlour to visit, or which cafe to stop into. The good news is that there really aren’t any bad decisions to be made here, but we can definitely recommend Caffe Vista and Cadwaladers (thank us later 😋)!

And besides good shopping and eating, Tenby has beaches galore! You’ve got the classic Castle Beach, then you’ve got Harbour beach, North beach and South beach too - and other than North beach (which has a ban from May - Sept), they’re all dog-friendly too. Which is the last thing to remember about Tenby - you’ll be hard pushed to find a better dog to human ratio than this charming seaside town. Seriously - the dog game here is strong!

If you’re looking to get out into the countryside to get a taste of ‘traditional’ Wales, then Dinas Head is the place to be. Hidden away down a mile-long stretch of single-lane road, you could be forgiven for carrying on looking for the destination, as there’s only a car park and single building to mark your arrival. But rest assured, this is a gem of a find.

The building is the Old Sailors pub and is a charming little country pub with unbeatable lunch views from its garden.

But wait until you’ve worked up an appetite first, by embarking on the 5km hike around Dinas Head (fun fact: this used to be an island, and will be again with the rising sea levels, so visit while you can!). This peninsula which is partially detached from the mainland, lies between Fishguard and Newport and offers visitors a rough and rugged coastline which is perfect for photos or just to lose your gaze as you regain your breath from some of the steeper elevations. 

Or you can go kayaking around the coast or hire a boat instead, but make sure you take in the quaint scenes of Cwm-yr-Eglwys before you finish up back at the Old Sailors for a brew and a chocolate brownie sundae; a perfect country break day out with one of the friendliest pubs around!

Well known for its beach views, good food and energetic nightlife, Mumbles is a firm Welsh favourite for locals and visitors alike.

Mumbles itself is a small(ish) town but with enough going on to earn its spot as the best place to live in Wales in The Sunday Times 2018 Best Places to Live in the UK report, and even if you come for an afternoon here, you’ll start to see why.

With French, Italian, Indian and vegan cuisines on offer, you’ll be able to find the food to match whichever mood you might be in on the day. And the restaurants along the seafront (like Bistro Pierre and Croeso Lounge) have spectacular views out over the bay that will hold your attention for hours, whether it’s rain or shine. 

And a Mumbles pro-tip: once you’ve had your fill of food and views, take a stroll along the promenade past the moored boats and get yourself an ice cream from Verdi’s; the hazelnut and strawberry combo is 🔥

So there you go, our top 3 of what picture-perfect Pembrokeshire has to offer. And if you’re still in the mood for more UK staycation ideas, just click to keep looking...