Attractions
Beaches
Penally and Tenby are surrounded by miles of safe, sandy beaches that shelve gently into the sea.
Immediately opposite The Old Vicarage you will find South Beach. Its sandy surface stretches for over one mile and a half towards the town of Tenby. Tenby has three more beaches: Castle Beach, Harbour Beach and North Beach, who are awarded with the “blue flag” for their cleanliness.
Each of these four beaches has its own characteristics and appeal: South Beach is the larger beach, with views of Caldey Island and lined by sand-dunes. Castle Beach faces due south and nestles in the lee of Castle Hill and St. Catherine’s Island. Harbour Beach is the smallest and a more enclosed beach at the foot of the row of colourful houses that constitute Tenby’s characteristic profile. And finally, North Beach with its own landmark: Goscar Rock.
Walks
Penally is on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
About the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the smallest National Parks in England and Wales. The Park is predominantly coastal, and includes several offshore islands, the largest of which are Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grasholm and Caldey. These are internationally important for their seabird and seal populations.
The Coastline is amongst the most beautiful in Europe, varying from high cliffs to long open beaches, and sheltered coves and harbours to mud flats and dunes. In complete contrast are the tranquil waters of the Milford Haven Waterway, the heavily wooded slopes of the Gwaun Valley and the windswept expanse of the Preseli Hills. The Celtic culture is an important aspect of Pembrokeshire life with Welsh spoken in many communities in the Northern part of the Park.
The National Park Authority (NPA) has two statutory purposes, introduced under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, and revised by the Environment Act 1995. These are:
* Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the national parks.
* Promoting opportunities for the enjoyment and understanding of the special qualities of those areas by the public.
The National Park has an additional duty:
Fostering the social and economic well-being of the area.
Personal View
The sea cliffs and sandy bays of Pembrokeshire provide coastal walking at its very best. The scenery is truly magnificent: rugged cliffs, long open beaches, sheltered coves and harbours, but also mud flats and dunes. No wonder there is such a huge variety of seabirds!
Water Sports
Coastal cruises: several cruise boats operate daily from Tenby Harbour to Caldey Island and along the coastline.
Diving: it is possible to hire the full equipment for diving in Tenby.
Fishing: you can fish on ponds for Tench, Rudd, Bream, Chub, Roach, Carp and Rainbow Trout. Or else try the rocky coast for Bass, Flatfish, Mullet, Plaice, Sole and Whiting. For experienced anglers trips to fishing marks off shore are arranged. Rods are available for hire.
Parascending, ‘Banana’ Rides, Water Skiing: from Tenby Harbour
Sailing: there are local sailing clubs in Tenby and in Saundersfoot. Both clubs welcome visitors and sail a variety of dinghy classes. They also have a full summer programme of races and regattas.
Windsurfing: all the beaches around Tenby provide excellent conditions for novices and experts.
Coastering Lastest sport to hit the pembrokeshire coast for all ages both swimmers and non swimmers take a look www.celticquestcoasteering.com
Golf
Tenby Golf Club
Just opposite The Old Vicarage you’ll see the Tenby Golf Club, one of the oldest in Wales and certainly the one with the most stunning scenery.
Tenby Golf Club, founded in 1888, is recognised as one of the best championship links courses in the country. The course stretches for 6337 yards along the ancient burrows of Tenby’s South Beach. The picturesque views of Caldey and the coastline make it difficult to concentrate on golf but concentration is an essential ingredient is this challenging course is to be mastered.
The Welsh Golfing Union makes full use of the facility by holding major national championships at Tenby such as the Welsh Open Mens’ Stroke Play Blue Ribbon Championship & The Welsh Ladies’ Amateur Championships and Team Championships.
The Course: MEN (Par 69 sss 71)
Blue Tee 6337 yards
White Tee 6224 yards
Yellow Tee 5625 yards
LADIES (Par 73 sss 72/71)
Red Tee 6432 yards
Pro Shop
A warm welcome awaits you at the Mark Hawkey Golf Shop. An exciting range of clothing from the leading brands along with a good selection of clubs is available for purchase. Video coaching is a necessity in this day and age and at Tenby this visual aid is being used with great success. Frame by frame analysis makes the game of golf far easier to understand and certainly gives everyone the chance to reach full potential.
The golf shop can be contacted on 01834 844 447.
Trefloyne Golf Club
In Penally, about a mile further inland, you’ll find a new eighteen hole parkland course. Telephone 01834 842165
Haverfordwest Golf Club
Telephone 01437 763565
Milford Haven Golf Club
Telephone 01646 692368
Others
Pitch and putt courses are available at Folly Farm, Begelly, Heron’s Brook, Narberth.
Heatherton Country Sports Park, a few miles to the west of Penally, has an eighteen hole pitch and putt course, and a floodlit sixteen bay golf driving range.
For an extensive list of upcoming events in Pembrokeshire please visit www.visitpembrokeshire.com/events/
Theme parks Biggest and best welsh theme park Oakwood is less than a 15 minute drive away www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
