Free Croeso / Welcome A Visitor’s Guide to PEMBROKE & PEMBROKE DOCK PEMBROKE CHAMBER OF TRADE & PEMBROKE DOCK CHAMBER OF TRADE PEMBROKE & PEMBROKE DOCK JOINT TWINNING & TOURISM COMMITTEE 2009 - 10 2009 1 A Welcome from Jamie Welcome to South Pembrokeshire - my neck of the woods - the place where I grew up and I am proud to call home. Jamie Owen is one of Pembroke Visitors to Pembrokeshire are often understandably drawn to Dock’s most well known faces. the beaches of the south of the county and the mountains He is a BBC Wales news in the north - but for my money, it’s worth taking some time reader, hosts a regular radio wandering around Pembroke and Pembroke Dock. Some of show, has fronted a number of documentaries based in Wales, the most interesting places to visit in Wales are off the usual and is a popular author. predictable tourist trail. A Dockyard Town Wind the clock back to the 1850’s and this place was one of the most important ship building centres in Britain. Did you know that five royal yachts were built at Pembroke Dock? HMS Duke of Wellington, the largest three-deck man of war ever built was launched from the slips in 1852. It saw service during the Crimean War as the flagship of Admiral Napier. This was the only Royal Dockyard in Wales. If you walk around the Dockyard walls, which still stand today - just imagine the hundreds Quayside Cafe & Interiors of people making some of the most important vessels in the world not so long ago. Take some time to go inside the Guntower Museum on Front Street to see how important this military Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm base once was and wander past the old Dockyard buildings now restored to their former glory. When the age of ship building had passed, Pembroke Dock’s next military chapter was again on the international stage; the town became home to the largest flying-boat base on earth with over Historic award one hundred based here. Pembroke Dock became critical to the battle of the Atlantic. If you want winning building North Quay, Pembroke, a pilot’s eye view of what it must have felt like to fly here, walk up to the Cleddau Bridge and look Pembrokeshire SA71 4NU Quayside Cafe serving down on a spectacular view. delicious home cooked 01646 684290 Historic Pembroke food using fresh [email protected] Pembrokeshire Produce Pembroke’s history is much older; leave the car behind and walk along its medieval streets and www.vintage-interiors.net you’ll see handsome buildings, bustling streets lined with Tudor and Georgian houses, all cowering Cake & desserts in the shadow of the spectacular castle, built to put the fear of God into the troublesome locals. simply “to die for” These days it’s open to the public with the friendliest of welcomes. The castle is in first rate Aspirational leather & condition with so much to explore. It is the only castle in Britain to be constructed over a cavern. hardwood furniture You don’t have to be little to enjoy a few hours wandering around the ramparts and letting your imagination run wild. Gifts Harry Tudor was born in Pembroke Castle in 1457. He went on to found a Royal dynasty that would lay the foundations of modern Britain. Without Pembroke Castle the world would have been a very different place. So you see, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock have always been at the heart of the world’s great events. Of course many places in Britain can offer you bucket loads of history like our two towns, but here you’ll find the welcome warmer, the hospitality more generous and the smiles longer lasting. Have a wonderful time. 2 3 to admire the climbers spread-eagled on the Contents A Tourist’s Dream sheer drops. You don’t have to be a hiker to see these views however as there is road access at Page 3 .................................................................................................................................A Welcome from Jamie The beautiful peninsula of South St Govan’s Chapel and Stack Rocks. This area is Page 5 - 6 ...........................................A Tourist’s Dream – around and about in South Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire is a tourist’s dream of leafy also a magnet for bird lovers in spring and early Page 8 - 9 ........................................................................................................The Historic Town of Pembroke lanes, quiet villages and fabulous beaches. summer as the cliffs are filled with a cacophony Page 18 - 19 ........................................................................................... Map of Pembroke & Pembroke Dock Add stunning cliff-top scenery, picturesque of sea birds nesting on mind bogglingly tiny Page 22 - 23 ......................................................................Pembroke Dock - A Town Founded on Ships harbours, woodland walks and delightful ledges above the huge drops. Page 27 ....................................................................Buffalo Bill and the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trail lily ponds and there is more than enough Page 29 ............................................................................................................................................Local Attractions for any visitor to enjoy as they relax to the Page 31 ................................................................................................................The Ghostly Lady of HMS Asp quieter pace of these parts. Page 32 .......................................................................................................................................Useful Information Page 34 .....................................................Freshwater West - Where Harry Potter meets Robin Hood All of this can be reached within fifteen minutes from the central locations of Pembroke and This guide is published by Pembroke Chamber of Trade, Pembroke Dock Chamber of Trade and Pembroke Dock, making these towns a great Pembroke & Pembroke Dock Town Councils Joint Twinning & Tourism Committee. base for your holiday. Many thanks to all the advertisers and Chevron for their sponsorship Encompassed to the north by the boat filled Local information and further copies of this guide are obtainable from: inlets of the Milford Haven Estuary and to the Pembroke Town Council, Town Hall, Main Street, Pembroke. Tel. 01646 683092 south by the Atlantic swells off the dramatic e-mail [email protected] sea cliffs of St Govan’s Head. This area offers Pembroke Dock Town Council, Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock. Tel. 01646 684410 an unsurpassed variety of activities at a pace e-mail [email protected] that allows you to truly unwind. Whether you are looking for the charming simplicity of a safe Design & Print by Monddi Dimond Press, Well Hill, Pembroke and sandy, family friendly beach, or something All information is correct at the time of going to press. FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHS and others by Pembrokeshire Photography more ruggedly adventurous, it’s all here! OPEN ALL On certain days during the year, the Ministry of YEAR Defence zone still further west is open and then walkers can again stretch their legs on the more empty stretches of the coast path as it continues A fascinating Castle visit past amazing rock formations near Linney Head and on to Freshwater West. This glorious long with stunning exhibitions sandy beach is not recommended for swimming that will captivate all ages... although the rolling Atlantic breakers make it a Climbers converge from all parts for some of the hugely popular destination for surfers. National !""$' $$!" best limestone sea cliffs in Britain, while walkers and world championships are held here. It also %#"'! delight in the views from the higher tops they is fabulous for exploring rock-pools and has a !' # also seek out the undulating sandstone cliffs vast area of these to explore. A few miles further and sandy bays of Manorbier, Swan Lake and on is Angle Bay, yet another spacious and safe Adult: £3.50 Conc: £2.50 Freshwater East, Barafundle and Broad Haven. family beach on the far west tip of the peninsula. Under 5’s FREE All these beaches are perfect for a day out with This is the end of the road westward and its lack Family ticket: £10.00 (2 $#" $! the family with easy car access for most or a of through traffic gives Angle village a uniquely beautiful cliff-top stroll for a short distance. quiet feel. For the keen walkers there are more superb !& #! views from the majestic cliffs further west at St No doubt everyone has their own favourite www.pembrokecastle.co.uk. Govan’s Chapel, Stack Rocks and the famous place along the coastline. The famous Welsh Tel: 01646 684585 / 681510 Green Bridge of Wales. Here walkers and traveller and chronicler from centuries ago, climbers mingle as the “less adventurous” stop Geraldus Cambrensis, called Manorbier the most 4 5 delectable spot in Wales, but there are many who would give this accolade to Barafundle Bay, surely a sand and sun worshippers’ paradise to Feel the Magic at rival any in the world. It’s not just the coastline that makes South West Pembrokeshire so great for visitors, as there is so much to see elsewhere. The impressive Norman castle at Pembroke is a must, if only for the spectacular view from the top of the keep, while Carew and Manorbier castles are also well worth a visit. The Bishops Palace at Lamphey is another historic monument of note. Many visitors make a beeline for the glorious Lily Ponds at Bosherston which have delightful walks of various lengths alongside them. Visitors can enjoy the swans and birdlife which abound here or take a longer stroll