"Pembrokeshire's Jewel in the Crown" Tenby by M0B1US

The 13th century mediaeval walled town of Tenby is Pembrokeshire's premier tourist resort, famous for its beaches and as a gateway to the monastic island of Caldey.

First fortified by the Normans in the 11th c. as a strategic outpost, the town came under numerous attacks by the Welsh including the most successful one by Llewelyn ap Gruffydd in 1260.

During the English Civil war Tenby started on the side of Parliament, was taken by Royalists who were defeated by another Parliamentarian force which switched allegiance to the Royalists and was then taken again by the Parliamentarians - life was never dull back then! ;-)

Nowadays the town is a pretty tourist magnet with a Georgian core of buildings encircling an attractive little harbour and backed by the ruins of the original Norman Castle on a rocky headland connected to the town by a narrow isthmus.

During the summer months the towns two huge beaches are filled with sunseekers from miles around taking advantage of the pristine golden sands of the miles and miles of beaches in the area.

I was only here fleetingly this time, walking on the beach and through the town without really having time to stop - I will be coming back probably later this year for a more in depth visit!

Lovely Georgian Architecture

Number one has to be the beaches!

They do get very crowded but they are so large that there should still be space for everyone (tip: the beaches on Caldey island are far less crowded as you have to pay to get the ferry over there!)

Number two is visiting the wonderful Monastic Retreat of Caldey Island for a step back in town.

After that the sights of the town are well worth a look, exploring the meandering lanes of the old town and visiting the castle and museum.

Trips further afield include the town of Pembroke and its castle, and the castles of Manobier and Carew

Mediaeval Tenby

During the summer months Pembrokeshire is choked with cars and travel times around the towns can be extreme - but it is still the best way to see the surrounding area.

However, being in South Wales, there are good public transport links here and Tenby has its own train station on the line to Pembroke, as well as a fairly frequent series of bus routes in the area locally and further afield.

There is also good scope for boat trips around the coast of Tenby to nearby beaches as well as the ever popular trip to Caldey Island.

Being on the edge of the Pembrokeshire National Park, Tenby is also an excellent place to start the coastal walk from as well.