The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a spectacular and distinctive coastal area. It’s Britain’s Only Coastal National Park, as it’s the only one of Britain’s 14 National Parks to be entirely coastal in nature...
186 miles of walkers paradise on both ild headlands and pristine beaches with picturesque towns and villages like Tenby, St Davids and Solva en route. Most people walk a little bit a time, coming back year after year to explore a bit more. If you want to do the whole lot, allow 15 days...
No other county in Britain has more Blue Flag Beaches or Seaside Award beaches than Pembrokeshire. With over 50 beaches to choose from, there’s going to one that’s perfect for you, whether you want surfing, kayaking or kite surfing, or just somewhere peaceful to relax, sunbathe and build sandcastles... 
There are 51 forts and castles in Pembrokeshire including enormous stone fortresses like Pembroke castle, Manorbier castle and Carew castle. There are medieval walled towns of Tenby and Pembroke and fortified Bishops Palaces at St Davids and Lamphey. 
A pristine environment, clean seas, very little population and lush vegetation makes for rich and varied habitats, most important of which are the Islands: Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grassholm and Caldey. Home to thousands of Puffins, Gannets and other sea birds. Dolphin, Porpoise and Whale watching boat trips are popular too...
Castles In Pembrokeshire -
Tenby Castle
Accreditations / Facilities
Open All Year
Only a small tower remains of Tenby Castle, perched on top of Castle Hill, which is almost surrounded by the sea. The old town walls, however, are remarkably complete, containing a maze of narrow streets that make up the picturesque old town of Tenby.
History
- The castle was built by The Normans in the 12th century.
- There is a record of its capture by the Welsh in 1153.
- Tenby was also attacked in 1187 and again in 1260, when Llewellyn the Last, sacked the town during his campaigns.
- Most of the town walls were built in the 13th century.
- In 1328, the D-shaped barbican was added to defend the gate.
- D-shaped towers north and south of the gate were also added at this time.
- In 1457, the moat, which ran outside the walls where St Florence Parade is now, was widened to 30ft, the walls were heightened and a second, higher series of arrow slits was built, reached by a new parapet walk.
- In 1648, a unit of Royalist rebels held the castle for 10 weeks but were starved into surrendering.
Features
- The remains of the castle's gateway cross the path as you climb up Castle Hill from the harbour.
- A small tower occupies the highest point on Castle Hill.
- The town walls on the north side are partially complete, although the north gate has gone.
- The walls on the east side, however, run uninterrupted all the way to The Esplanade.
- The main entrance on this side is ‘Five Arches' gate.
- Tenby Museum & Art Gallery is built on to a medieval domestic building, probably the castle's hall.
- The National Trust owned Tudor Merchant's House is in the old town, near the harbour.
Picture: Castle Hill from St Catherines Island.
Picture: Tenby Castle Hill from the air. The central keep is all that remains of the castle.
Facilities
Interesting shops, pubs, restaurants and amenities in Tenby including 3 Blue Flag beaches.
Open:
Open all year. Free.
Tenby Castle
Tenby
SA70 7BP
Map Location
ID: 1552 Revised: 26/8/2011
