Pembrokeshire Itinerary: Best Weekend in Wales

Our weekend Pembrokeshire itinerary in West Wales was filled with adorable puffins, rock stacks overflowing with guillemots and razorbills, spectacular coastal scenery, lily ponds, dragonflies, and a chapel in the rocks.

There were plenty of photo opportunities and we even stumbled across a Tellytubby house.

If you are looking for a three-day Pembrokeshire itinerary or a weekend in Wales and love all things nature, the southwest coast of Wales won’t disappoint.

We were in Pembrokeshire for three magical days. However, at a push, you could likely cram it all into a two-day itinerary if needed.

PEMBROKESHIRE ITINERARY– MAP OF ATTRACTIONS

Best Places to Visit on Your Pembrokeshire Itinerary

Discover the enchanting wonders of Pembrokeshire, Wales, where the rugged coastline meets captivating wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.

One of the must-visit places during your weekend escape is Skomer Island, home to over 25,000 adorable breeding Puffins and an array of seabirds.

Another gem is St. Govan’s Chapel, tucked away between craggy rocks, with a fascinating legend worth exploring. The area’s dramatic rock formations at Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales will leave you spellbound, and when we were there, it was teeming with nesting seabirds.

Whether you venture along the Pembrokeshire coastal path or explore the tranquil Bosherston Lakes, this region is a nature lover’s paradise.

Our perseverance rewarded us with an unforgettable experience despite the unpredictable Welsh weather.

Find the best places to see in Pembrokeshire below.

1. SKOMER ISLAND

We had planned to visit Skomer Island on the first day of our 3 days in Pembrokeshire. However, the Welsh weather wasn’t playing the game.

In fact, it was so bad that the ferries to Skomer Island weren’t even running. 

Fortunately, the next day, although strong winds had been forecast, the ferries were running and we were lucky enough to get a ticket to get on the boat and go and see the Skomer Island Puffins.

Skomer Island is one of the most important wildlife sites in northwest Europe.

At this time of year, it is home to over 25,000 breeding Puffins and thousands of other seabirds.

But the Puffins were undoubtedly the main attraction, and these cute little characters can be spotted all over the island. Moreover, they seemed quite fearless in some spots, to-ing and fro-ing across the path right before us.

Skomer Island is also home to numerous other seabirds, such as Guillemots, Razorbills, and the elusive shearwater manx.

Seeing the puffins on Skomer Island was the highlight of our weekend in Pembrokeshire. 

2. EXPLORE THE SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTRY LANES

Hoping to find breaks in the downpour, we set off on our Pembrokeshire road trip into the Welsh countryside.

Within a few streets, we were on country lanes lined with wildflower-filled hedgerows.

Pinks, purples, whites and yellows mingled with the lush green grasses and ferns. The odd honeysuckle plant appeared atop like a crown, adorning the seemingly never-ending maze of tiny roads.

Every now and then you get a glimpse of what lies beyond and then sweep around a corner where incredible ocean views lay before you.

You’ll pass numerous walking path signs that lead you onto the Pembrokeshire coastal path, which National Geographic rated as one of the best coastal walks in the world.

We passed the Pembrokeshire Cemetery. For some reason, churches and their graveyards pull us toward them. Perhaps it is the symbolic reminder of our impermanence or the glimpse of life gone by. Or simply that they are quiet reflective places to wander.

Whatever the reason, we often find ourselves amongst the gravestones — cameras in hand.

There is at once beauty, sadness, and celebration interspersed between the tombstones and the nature that invades the spaces between them.

Every bend you take on the windy roads of Pembrokeshire is a brand-new experience.

We passed through the town of Herbrandston and were intrigued by the sign, ‘A Doubly Thankful Village’.

We found out later that this means the village is one of sixteen throughout the UK, which saw everyone return safely from both the First and Second World Wars.

3. ST, BRIDES HAVEN BEACH

In late August, an incredible phenomenon occurs at St.Brides Haven Bay, Pembrokeshire.

Spider crabs arrive in their tens of thousands for a coming-of-age moulting. The adolescent spider crabs lose their hard shells as they increase in size by about thirty per cent. 

Click here for a video on this spectacle in St. Brides Bay that captures this incredible spectacle.

This beautiful bay in St. Brides is also used to train divers and is recommended as one of the best tranquil dives in the area.

In addition, a small chapel, St Brides Church, overlooks the bay, and the scene, especially in the rain, is like a film backdrop for a wild coastal romance.

4. ST. GOVAN’S CHAPEL

Tucked in between the surrounding craggy rocks, secreted away on Pembrokeshire Coast you’ll find this tiny chapel, St Govan’s.

It is believed to be the resting place of a 6th-century hermit, who first took refuge in the rocks to escape pirates.

There are a few versions of the history of St.Govan’s Chapel. However, one legend that seems to have stood the test of time is that if you count the steps down the steep cliff to the chapel, when you count them on the way back up the number will always be different.

Have a go and see what happens.

5. STACK ROCKS (ELEGUG STACKS) AND THE GREEN BRIDGE OF WALES

Another surprise awaited us when we headed towards the coast, where the dramatic rock formations of Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales stand.

On the top of the stacks, were thousands of guillemots and razorbills all jostling for space and nesting on their eggs.

These seabirds come in from the Atlantic Ocean for nesting during the summer and leave again at the end of July. 

Elegug is Welsh for guillemot, hence the alternative name for Stack Rocks.

The Green Bridge of Wales and the Elegug Stacks reminded us of our road trip from Perth to Melbourne, which included the Great Ocean Road with the Twelve Apostles and other landmark rock formations.

Though on a lesser scale, these were just as impressive due to the fact that they were jam-packed with birdlife.

Undulating coastal paths parallel the coast giving you spectacular views. A photographer’s dream.

These incredible rock formations are on an army tank range, so access can sometimes be restricted.

(To check that you can get access, call the Pembrokeshire Visitor Centre— 01437 776499)

6. BOSHERSTON LAKES (LILY PONDS)

Bosherston Lakes, otherwise known as the Lily Ponds due to the number of lily pads spread over the lakes, is part of the National Trust Nature Reserve on the Stackpole Estate.

The lakes were created between 1780 and 1860 as a scenic backdrop for the grand Stackpole Court Estate Manor. The manor no longer exists, but these lovely lakes remain and are home to otters, water birds and dragonflies.

The Lily Ponds is a popular place to come for a Sunday afternoon walk or picnic. There are several routes that you can take, depending on how far you’d like to walk and your time constraints. Overall, there are over 30km of trails to explore.

Apparently, the best times to spot the otters are early morning. The worst time is Sunday afternoon when everyone and his dog are wandering around the lakes. Unfortunately, we were there in the latter timeframe.

Access to the Lily Ponds is free and parking fees n the car park are £3.00. There is also a free map available and detailed walking guides for purchase.

7. BROADHAVEN SOUTH BEACH

At the foot of Bosherton Lakes, you’ll find this spectacular sandy beach, surrounded by the fabulous coastline of the area.

If the weather is good this is the perfect place for a cool dip in the sea, (watch out for strong currents), or a walk along the coast.

8. THE ‘TELLYTUBBY HOUSE’ IN WALES

While on this Pembrokeshire road trip, we decided to look for some geocaches and one clue took us to a very interesting sight that you could very easily miss if driving along the road.

It led us to this futuristic house built into the ground. 

This incredible house is built of steel and glass with a turf roof and resembles the earthhouse of the children’s TV show, the ‘Teletubbies’. It has therefore been nicknamed the ‘Tellytubby House’. 

You won’t find Tinky Winky or Dipsy here, but you will find a fantastic view over the bay, which can best be seen on the coastal path in front of the house.

Tellytubby House in Wales ©Lifejourney4two.com

MORE THINGS TO DO ON YOUR PEMBROKESHIRE WEEKEND BREAK

For nature lovers, this area of the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales has to be one of the best places to visit for a weekend itinerary.

There are plenty more things to do, and places to visit in the area, so you may want to plan a few weekends in Pembrokeshire to make the most of this spectacularly scenic area.

Some of the places to visit in Pembrokeshire, that we didn’t have time for, but are also in the area are:

9. Visit St. David’s Cathedral – found in the UK’s smallest city
10. The Blue Lagoon – a subtropical indoor water park with slides and a wave pool
11. Explore Pembroke Castle: home of Henry VII
12. Hike along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
13. Admire Barafundle Bay – a half-mile walk from Stackpole Quay car park – voted one of the best beaches in Britain
14. Visit the Victorian seaside town of Tenby
15. Explore Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
16. Visit the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

And these are just a selection of the best things to do when you visit Pembrokeshire.

WHERE TO STAY IN PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

There are a few great options for places to stay in Pembrokeshire. We recommend the following as they all have great ratings and are good locations for this Pembrokeshire road trip itinerary.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR PEMBROKESHIRE WEEKEND BREAK?

The ideal time to escape for this 3 day Pembrokeshire itinerary and to explore the southwestern coast and countryside in West Wales is between early April and the end of July. This is because tens of thousands of seabirds migrate to this area of Wales in early summer.

However, all of the places we visited in Pembrokeshire were incredibly scenic.

Therefore, whatever time of year you decide to take a mini-break or holiday to Wales, you are sure to be impressed with the spectacular views all along the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline.

On top of that, Wales is easily accessible and a centrally located area of the United Kingdom, meaning there are not huge distances to travel.

Pembrokeshire Itinerary … That’s a Wrap

A weekend in Pembrokeshire, Wales, promises an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. The rugged coastline, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes make it a nature lover’s paradise.

From taking a boat trip and witnessing adorable puffins and nesting seabirds on Skomer Island to exploring the hidden gem of St. Govan’s Chapel nestled among craggy rocks, each day is filled with unique wonders.

The Pembrokeshire coastal path, rated as one of the best coastal walks in the world, offers spectacular views and photo opportunities. Marvel at the dramatic rock formations of Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge of Wales, teeming with birdlife, and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Bosherston Lakes, adorned with lily pads and dragonflies.

A visit to Broadhaven South Beach and the intriguing “Tellytubby House” adds to the charm of this coastal escape.

For those seeking more adventure, there are numerous other attractions to explore in the area, such as St. David’s, the UK’s smallest city, Pembroke Castle, Tenby, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

To make the most of this breathtakingly scenic region, one of the best things to do would be to plan multiple weekends in Pembrokeshire!

Whether you’re captivated by the wildlife, enchanted by the legends, or simply seeking tranquillity amidst nature’s beauty, Pembrokeshire is a perfect weekend getaway for nature enthusiasts and wanderers alike.

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