"Dinbych y Pysgod" Top 5 Page for this destination Tenby by Balam

Tenby Travel Guide: 93 reviews and 234 photos

Tenby is steeped in history and is one of Wales few Walled Towns but Tenby has seen many changes since the Normans Arrived in the late 11th Century when impressed by the fertility of the land of Pembrokeshire and realising the strategic importance of Pembroke in any plans of subjugating the region the Town became their headquarters. The Welsh fortress at Nearby Tenby was soon captured and by the mid 12th century a primitive castle had been constructed on Castle Hill, garrisoned by English and French troops. After some skirmishes with the Welsh forces the town was attacked and ransacked in 1187 by welsh troops led by Maelgwyn ap Rhys and again In 1260 when it suffered its last battering at Welsh hands and Llewelyn ap Gruffydd slaughted the garrison and the residents in protest against the Norman occupation of Wales.

After the destruction of the town the Earls of Pembroke realised that the defences of Tenby were inadequate and as the town played an important part in controlling the south It was decided to increase the towns defences so that the whole town would be secure behind a impregnable wall with towers and gateways and the castle with its cliff top location would form another defensive bulwark.

Tenby became very popular during the Victorian era when many publications advertised Tenby as a cure for all Ills and that just visiting would be benificial to your health, if you were Ill going to Tenby would cure you! and if you were not Ill then going to Tenby would keep you Fit and Healthy.
Tenby became very popular during the Victorian era when many publications advertised Tenby as a cure for all Ills and that just visiting would be beneficial to your health, if you were Ill going to Tenby would cure you! And if you were not Ill then going to Tenby would keep you Fit and Healthy.
Afternoons and evenings were given over to the new favourite social pursuit of dressing up and being seen around town acceptable company and 'Promenading' was taken very seriously.
During the Victorian era Tenby saw a massive increase in its population and a great deal of building work was undertaken. On the cliff tops large houses with terraces were built for wealthy residents, some just for Holiday homes many eventually becoming small Hotels and guest houses.

Last visit to Tenby: Feb 2010
Intro Updated Feb 12, 2010
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Reviews (7)

Oldest Pub Restaurants (3)

The Coach and horses is the Oldest Pub in Tenby and is packed foll of history, There are some great period features like... more travel advice

Good Place Restaurants (3)

We called in the Lifeboat Tavern as a break from the rain and to get something light for lunch. the pub is decorated as... more travel advice

Bay of Bengal or a Slow Boat to China?? Restaurants (3)

The Bay of Bengal is a nice restaurant that overlooks the sea, they have a downstairs indoor terrace with tables that... more travel advice

Tenby Castle Things to Do (3)

Tenby has seen many changes since the Normans Arrived in the late 11th Century when impressed by the fertility of the... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
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Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 16, 2010

8 photos

The Royal Lion Hotel

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Comments (4)

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Myfanwe Oct 25, 2011 at 12:40 PM

I must take you back to Tenby :-) x
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cachaseiro May 3, 2010 at 6:24 AM

that place looks so bloody nice even if it also looks a bit wet.
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Pawtuxet Mar 17, 2010 at 6:09 AM

Good job. Tom81 will be married there soon and I wanted to get a feel of the place. Looks like a sweet little town.
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HORSCHECK Feb 16, 2010 at 10:02 AM

Gorgeous page about Tenby, which brings back many memories of my time in this fantastic Welsh gem. I must admit that I had much better weather than you. I once stayed almost a week there and used Tenby as a base to explore more of Pembrokeshire.