The o-fish-al guide to Pembrokeshire

While shoals of visitors head to Pembrokeshire in search of beautiful beaches, dramatic coastlines and traditional villages, there are many who head to south Wales for a chance to discover its long-standing relationship with fish. Whether through stunning dishes at the region’s restaurants, to fantastic festivals, here is your guide to enjoying Pembrokeshire fish at its brill-iant best.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival

When it comes to celebrating the history of fish in the county, nothing quite does it better than the Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival. Offering nine days of fun for the whole family across the whole of the county, the event is designed to celebrate every aspect of Pembrokeshire’s maritime heritage. First launched in 1999, it has grown steadily in popularity and today is regarded as one of the best food events in the UK. Featuring from 28 June – 6 July, the 2014 instalment is set to be the biggest and best yet with over 250 events planned; among the highlights include a seafood master class with celebrity chef Paul Rankin, the Saundersfoot Seafood, performances from Matt the Magic Man and cookery demonstrations from Bryn Williams and Will Holland. To find out more about this fantastic event, click here to visit the official website.

Stunning restaurants in the region

While the aforementioned festival gives the chance to discover succulent fish in a lively atmosphere, a dedicated seafood restaurant is the ‘plaice’ to head to sample the finest produce in a peaceful and relaxing setting. Among the most highly rated of these is Coast Restaurant in Saundersfoot, a venue which teams outstanding oceanside vistas with plate after plate of stunning seafood. Part of the reason behind the restaurant’s success is thanks to Michelin Star chef Will Holland, with the revered chef standing at the helm of the kitchen since opening back in April – an event that we covered previously in this article.

When asking Will about what makes Pembrokeshire so special, he said:

“As a chef having recently moved to the region, it’s great to have such a variety of fine fish available in the surrounding seas. Pembrokeshire offers a phenomenal natural larder, from the fantastic farms to the stunning seas, the produce directly available to me certainly makes my job in the kitchen slightly easier!”

To find out more about the experience at Coast, click here to visit the restaurant’s website. Just a stone’s throw away from many of the holiday cottages in Tenby, it could be a great way to explore the local area while enjoying beautiful food.

Of course, there’s no better way of experiencing fine fish than with a taste of fish and chips – renowned all over the United Kingdom as our national dish. With this in mind, it makes sense to mention The Shed Bistro in Porthgain, a superb fish and chip vendor which is praised for its relaxed and informal atmosphere. With cod, haddock, hake and monkfish among the suspects found on the menu, a visit is sure to satisfy the palettes of all family members.

Head out to sea and catch your own!

Although the majority of people on their cottage holidays in Pembrokeshire will only see seafood after it has been cooked and prepared, having the opportunity to head out on a boat and catch your own is something not to be missed. Fortunately, this is exactly what is being offered by Broadside Boat Charter, allowing everyone from an experienced angler to a first-time fisher to try their hands at casting in the surrounding waters of Milford Haven.

Prices for fishing trips start from just £12.50 per person, with all fishing equipment included as well as invaluable advice from a skipper boasting over 35 years of fishing the coastline. His experience means that those on board are able to catch anything from cod and wrasse, to grey gurnard or conger.

If you have any other great tips on how to discover beautiful fish in Pembrokeshire, why not share them with us through our Facebook page?

Image Credit: Pembrokeshire Fish Week, Phil Boorman Photography, Broadside Boat Charters.

This content was written by Ben Edwards. Please feel free to visit my Google+ Profile to read more stories.