Explore National Trust places in Pembrokeshire

From woodland walks to kayaking in coastal waters, there’s more to summer in Pembrokeshire family holiday cottages than you might think thanks to the National Trust. As a registered charity they do everything they can to ensure that Pembrokeshire’s natural habitats continue to thrive so that the public can enjoy Wales’ surroundings for many years to come.

Find out what you and your family could get up to during your next holiday in popular Tenby cottages by the sea by reading this special guide put together for Powells Cottage Holidays by Sue Hicks from the National Trust in Pembrokeshire.

The National Trust in Pembrokeshire

We have some amazing places and over 60 miles of the Pembrokeshire coastline in our care. Our Pembrokeshire webpage is a good place to discover what’s on and where to go while you’re here on holiday. You can also find out about the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4‘ challenge and how to get started.

Here are some ideas to whet your appetite…

Discover a tranquil secluded valley at Colby Woodland Garden near Amroth. This hidden wooded valley with its secret garden and industrial past is a place made for play. Spring brings bluebells, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, while the walled garden gives year-round colour, peace and seclusion. There are woodland walks, meandering streams and ponds in the wildflower meadow, and the whole valley teems with wildlife. Borrow pond-dipping kits and games to play in the meadow, build a den in the woods or come along to one of our organised family activities.

The Bothy tea-room at Colby serves freshly prepared food and home-made cakes; there’s also a National Trust shop, plant sales and the Pembrokeshire Craft Makers in the Gallery.

At the Tudor Merchant’s House step back to the year 1500, when Tenby was one of the busiest ports in Wales and the house had just been built. With a working kitchen, richly coloured wall hangings and replica Tudor furniture which you can use and touch, you really can soak up the atmosphere and imagine yourself back in Tudor times. Help us lay the tables for a meal, enjoy our Tudor Family Fortunes game, play with the toys or try on Tudor clothes.

Head to Stackpole and you’ll find spectacular coastline and two of the best beaches in Wales at Barafundle and Broadhaven South. Once a grand estate, you can now visit the site where Stackpole Court once stood and the Bosherston Lakes are a great place to spot birds and wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might see an otter! There’s more than 30km of footpaths around the Stackpole estate with a number of circular walks. The Boathouse tea-room at Stackpole Quay is a great stopping-off point for lunches, teas and refreshments. If you’re looking for adventure, why not book a guided kayak or coasteering trip and see the coast from a different angle?

There are car parks at Stackpole Quay, Lodge Park Wood, Bosherston and Broadhaven South.

On the Marloes Peninsula, Marloes Sands is a great place to relax on the beach or explore the rock pools. There’s bird watching at Marloes Mere and Martin’s Haven is close by. From its tiny harbour, the boats leave for Skomer Island. Our car parks at Marloes Sands and Martin’s Haven are great bases for walking the coast path and taking in the dramatic coastal scenery. Families can make the most of their visit by picking up a nature discovery Tracker Pack from either car park for rock-pooling, bird watching and getting closer to nature.

At the National Trust Visitor Centre and Shop in St David’s you’ll find a well-stocked shop and a wealth of information about the area. You can also take a ‘virtual tour’ of our places in Pembrokeshire.

For more places to visit, walk and discover take a look at our Pembrokeshire webpage which has information about all the places in our care.

If you’re a member of the National Trust, entry is free to our places and car parks.

There is a charge for non-members – you’ll find details on our webpages - or why not join when you visit us and we’ll give you free admission straight away?

National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.