Memorable things to do for free

Here are nine extraordinary things to do for free in Pembrokeshire:

Wander through an ancient woodland

Pembrokeshire is blessed with many accessible inland areas, woodlands and walkways. Research has shown how walking in the woods can increase our physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of life. Not to mention they are perfect for imaginative youngsters to explore and run free, making up their own games as they go.

Canaston Woods is an extensive mixed woodland right on the Cleddau estuary and is teeming with wildlife; squirrels, buzzards and even a kingfisher if you’re lucky!

The Gwaun Valley and Ty Canol woods, both near Newport, are great places to explore. The Gwaun is a steep wooded valley, with huge beech trees and mossy waterfalls, while Ty Canol fuels the imagination with gnarled oaks and fairy glens.

Remember to download our autumn leaves guide.

Discover a beach

If you do only one thing this holiday then make sure you go to a beach… or two. With over 50 beaches to explore there are plenty of coves and corners to discover, right across the county.

Paddle in the water and explore rock pools to see what new creatures you can find. Find out how it feels to bask in the sun and run barefoot on the sand. Build memories and your own personal works of sand art, until the tide comes in.

Remember to download our rock-pooling guide.

Swim in a tidal lagoon

Abereiddi’s Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire is surrounded by rugged rocks and some remaining ruins still hint at the area’s industrial past. Popular in the summer months for coasteering and kayaking, walkers can enjoy the rugged coastline and clifftop views too. The Lagoon was formerly the main slate quarry of the St Brides Slate Company and was active up until 1910. The slate gives a brilliant aqua blue colour to the water. It’s a popular spot for coasteering and climbing along the cliffs at sea level.

Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path was voted the second best coastal destination in the world by National Geographic and with 186-miles to choose from you’ve plenty of opportunities to give it a go.

Walking is one of the most rewarding experiences you can give yourself in Pembrokeshire and costs nothing. So add a stroll or a full-day adventure to your bucket list this year and check out our magnificent coastline and its wildlife. Our top picks include the Green Bridge of Wales, Stack Rocks and St Govans Chapel, all near Stackpole and all with free parking. The surfaced section of path between Amroth and Saundersfoot is also a great family-friendly and accessible route with glorious views towards the Gower Peninsula and Monkstone Point. Ceibwr Bay is also worth a visit and the impressive Witches Cauldron is an easy 15 minute walk along the path. Don’t forget to pack a picnic.

Remember to download our seal spotting guide.

Visit Tenby RNLI lifeboat station

Head to Tenby and visit the impressive RNLI lifeboat station on Castle Hill. The RNLI has over 200 lifeboat stations in the UK and Tenby is one of the busiest, with a dedicated crew of locals volunteering to save lives at sea.

A visitor area and viewing platform let you get up close to the state-of-the-art Hayden Miller lifeboat and every other Tuesday, weather permitting, the RNLI launches this beast of a boat into the Tenby waters, usually to a crowd of hundreds of onlookers.

Check out the Tenby RNLI website for the latest launch dates, open days and events.

Explore history

While many of the more well-known castles and historic sites incur an entrance fee, there are many which are freely available to wander around and explore. Head to LlawhadenCastle which has an impressive set of ruins just begging to be investigated and with glorious views out over south Pembrokeshire. Or take a short walk off the road to marvel at the Pentre Ifan burial chamber, the largest and best preserved neolithic dolmen in Wales. In Nevern, you’ll find the famous Bleeding Yew and the Pilgrim’s Cross. The area is teeming with history and there’s a lovely walk up to where Nevern Castle once stood proudly.

Watch a full moon rise

Thirteen times a year the full moon rises in the Eastern skies at sunset.

You can watch this from anywhere in the county, and one of the most spectacular places to witness this is Foel Eryr – Eagle Hill – on the Preseli Hills. Here the elevation will give you a 360-degree view of Pembrokeshire as the moon rises in East and the sun sets to the West… weather permitting.

Park at Bwlch Gwynt, on the B4329 between Haverfordwest and Egwyswrw, for the short walk up to Foel Eryr. Remember to wrap up warm and bring a torch for the walk back down.

Remember to download the Foel Eryr map

Support an Ironman competitor

Head to Tenby in September and join thousands of spectators applauding the human body. It’s the one day of the year that roads close for cyclists as hundreds of professional and amateur athletes compete in the Ironman Wales competition.

There are competitors racing from all over the world, so if you don’t know anyone taking part, pick a country and support an overseas visitor. All cheers welcome!

Make a wish upon a star

A clear night in Pembrokeshire is one of the best places in the country to see stars and the Milky Way in all its glory. The darker the night the more the stars.

Broad Haven (South) has been named a ‘Dark Sky Discovery Site’ with its stunning cliff top location offering a 360-degree panorama of the night sky.

Chances are you will see stars wherever you’re staying in Pembrokeshire, so wrap up warm, grab the torch, head outside and look up. And remember, if you see a shooting star make a wish!

Remember to download our stargazing guide.