Dog friendly things to do in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of just three fabulous national parks in Wales, and the very first that I visited in the beautiful, ancient country. Located in the south west of Wales, it boasts an array of fascinating coastal landscapes and historical landmarks, which are perfect for a visit, whether you are alone, a couple, a family, or bringing your pooch along too.

Related: Take your dog on holiday this year with this ultimate guide

When we visited, we had Ted, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with us so I needed to find as many dog friendly things to do in and around Pembrokeshire National Park as I could. As it turns out, I was in luck – there are loads of dog friendly things to do with or without kids in tow.

Check out the local castles

This particular area in Wales is absolutely packed with castles! In one of the largest towns in the National Park is the dog friendly Pembroke Castle, which is one of the more popular destinations for a family day out in the area.

However we skipped Pembroke Castle and went to Manorbier Castle instead. Nearby to Manorbier Beach, it’s birthplace of the legendary Gerald of Wales. A wedding venue as well as being open to the general public during the summer months, so there is definitely that classy, romantic aura, even though it is mostly ruined.

I particularly liked the approach, crossing over the emptied moat and through a gorgeous grey archway. During the summer, the gardens surrounding the luscious, green lawn are filled with pink flowers.

One of the key attractions inside the castle is that you can climb to the top of one of the towers for views across the valley, out to sea, and into the castle green itself. This can be quite tricky, particularly if you are with children or dogs but we did manage with our Ted.

I was desperate to pay a visit to Carew Castle and Tidal Mill too, thus beginning my ‘two castle ban’ on our UK holidays!

Carew Castle is quite exciting. Again, it’s dog friendly, but it has more interactive features for visiting children. I wouldn’t say it’s suitable for a pram, but if you’re willing to leave your buggy in the courtyard, it’s a place the whole family can enjoy.

In one corner of the castle, there is a family of bats nesting in the ruins. Parts of the castle are dressed to represent how it once might have been, and there are information stations dotted around the building. From one of the battlements, you can look out across the estuary to the tidal mill in the distance. Entrance to the tidal mill is included in the entry price.

Breaking my own rule very quickly, we visited a castle just outside the Pembrokeshire National Park area. On a drive around the north of Pembrokeshire, we stopped at Cilgerran Castle, near to Cardigan. It’s a location owned by the National Trust (and if you’re familiar with my blog, you know how much I love the NT) so we had free entry!

The facilities in the 13th century fortress are limited, see ‘have none’, but the views across the gorge are genuinely second to none. It’s a bit of a maze to find the viewpoint, but just imagine how stunning a proposal photo would be from this spot!

We were also lucky enough to visit on a day when a falconer had come to display his birds of prey, so we were treated to seeing a buzzard fly, and escape for a short amount of time.

Explore the city of St David’s

Although dogs aren’t allowed inside St David’s Cathedral, the city itself is still a lovely place for a day out. St David’s is quite exciting to visit, as it is Britain’s smallest city! On a sunny day, you can sit on the grass in the cathedral grounds and have a picnic, surrounded by beautiful views. We saw lots of dogs and families playing together there when we visited.

There are shops, cafes, and pubs which are dog friendly in the city, so you could spend your time there finding a bargain, or sipping a cold pint. On the coast near the city is St Non’s Chapel and Well, which is a pretty site for a coastal walk if you (or your pup) are desperate for a little bit of exercise.

Walk the coastal path

Walking is always one of the most dog friendly things to do in Pembrokeshire and beyond. It’s a good job that the Pembrokeshire Coast Path stretches 186 miles, so you’re sure to find an area you like. Head down towards Marloes to walk around the Deer Park at Martin’s Haven and enjoy the views of Skomer Island. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed on the island at any time.

If you want something a little more exciting, the Castlemartin Range has a collection of fascinating cliff structures, including The Green Bridge of Wales and St Govan’s Chapel: a small chapel carved directly into the rock of the cliff face! You will need to check the GOV website before you visit as it might be in use by the MOD.

A little out of the National Park in the north of the area is Strumble Head, which was one of my favourite walking spots. The whole area looks gorgeous on a sunny, summer’s day, with the blue of the Irish Sea contrasting with the taupe cliffs, greenery, and purple heather. And the lighthouse itself is fascinating to see. Visitors can’t get onto the island, but by standing on the edge of the bridge can see how imposing a structure it really is.

Take a boat ride to Caldey Island

A fun, dog friendly thing to do with the kids is explore Caldey Island, just off the Pembrokeshire Coast. The island is accessed from Tenby Dock and reached by a short boat ride.

While there, have a picnic on the village green, find the lighthouse, and search for the chocolate shop. There are all sorts of hidden gardens and attractions that we missed. You could easily sell the island as a magical land to young children, and encourage them to look for fairies, or elves.

Frolic on the beach

Perhaps the best dog friendly thing to do with kids in Pembrokeshire is enjoy the beach. The Pembrokeshire Coast has some amazing sandy beaches that allow visitors to bring their four legged friends.

Tenby Beach has a small dog friendly section, which is great for if you happen to be visiting the town, but there are better beaches. Saundersfoot, just 10 minutes away, has a large dog friendly section where you can pitch up your umbrella and spend the whole day. This section is a little bit of a walk from the shops and ice cream stalls. Or you could go to Broadhaven, an enormous beach with a huge dog friendly section.

And Manorbier Beach is arguably one of the best dog friendly beaches in the whole area, not least because you can walk up the hill and pop into the castle when you’re sick of the sand!

Enjoy fresh local fish for dinner

Lastly, it might not be something that the dog or the kids will enjoy, but it’s definitely something you will. Many restaurants serve locally sourced fish and seafood. What more would you expect from small, coastal villages?

I’m a bit of a foodie, and love trying fresh, local produce, so I jumped at the chance to try some fresh sea food. Luckily, some of these wonderful restaurants also allow dogs to join in. HARBWR Bar and Kitchen in Saundersfoot was my favourite of the holiday.

From mooching on Manorbier Beach to stuffing your face with seabass, it’s clear that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is an ideal holiday location for BritVoyagers. With so many dog friendly and kid friendly things to do in Pembrokeshire, you’ll have fun all day, every day.

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