Experiences and workshops 2022

The arrival of the new year can bring an urge to do something a little different. Are you seeking to discover your inner artist on a creative break or to take some time for you on a wellness experience in Pembrokeshire.  Challenge your fears on a climbing course, have epic wildlife encounters or simply have some hands on fun with friends and family.

Here are just some of our favourite courses, experiences and encounters you can have in Pembrokeshire in 2022 – they won’t hang around long so get them booked. We all deserve something fun to look forward to.

Wellness experiences and breaks

Work out in the wilderness with Preseli Venture

Embrace your inner wild with our uniquely exuberant blend of fitness and adventure activities designed to help cultivate a deep sense of vitality, radiance and well-being. Our immersive and holistic approach to building strength, fitness, flexibility and body-awareness is centred around the idea of Nature as a playground, an outdoor gym and a place of infinite possibility for exploration and mindful movement!

Feel Good Retreats at Little Retreats

This three night experience begins with a Pilates/Yoga/Stretch class every morning to get you ready for the day ahead, whether it be a guided wild swim, paddle boarding session or a Welsh gin workshop and foraging session. Return to your accommodation to a pre lit wood fired hot tub for you to relax and watch the stars after a day on the estuary.

Wild at Heart with TYF

Learn how to become more wild at heart on this purposeful, adrenaline-fuelled weekend – master key skills and connect with inspiring, like-minded people as you start a new journey of boundary-pushing and self-discovery.

Get creative

Wild Gin Glamping break, with Top of the Woods.

This break is perfect for gin and foraging lovers alike. Start the day on a guided forage to collect your ingredients for your bathtub gin or wild gin. Learn about botanicals and how to blend flavours, then set about crafting your own signature tipple.  The holiday wouldn’t be complete without gin tasting; compare and contrast the subtle notes of some of the best Welsh crafted gin from In The Welsh Wind Distillery.

Art Tuition – half day or full day with artist Jill Jones

Start the day with a demonstration of techniques, then to the fun stuff, to take initial sketches and begin to ‘build’ your art. There will be handy tips for painting sky, sea or simple land techniques; the use of colour, observation of light, depth and perspective, as you work your way towards a finished piece. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Textile workshops with Sian O’Doherty textile designer

Award winning designer Sian teaches a range of machine knitting workshops, taught in small groups, providing the ideal combination of individual tuition and camaraderie in your learning. Working with other talented makers and designers, courses are available in collagraph and heat press printing, embroidery, leatherwork and list will grow throughout the year so remember to check back.

Leather Courses GDH Leather making handbags, gloves and other leather items

Is there anything more satisfying than making something with your own fair hands? GDH has leather courses ranging from a beginner one day introduction, a weekend taster or a seven day intensive leatherwork week. You can make a beautiful hand stitched leather bag or a luxurious leather desk or keepsake boxes. Available for groups and one-to-one.

Art Workshops with Louise Burdett

Creative art workshops with Louise consists of a range of painting and drawing experiences including the human face, creative drawing, colour, and abstract painting. Lasting four or five hours you can expect to be gently pushed out of and beyond your comfort zone as an artist.

Learn something completely new.

Sailing courses with Pembrokeshire Cruising

Whether your goal is to become a competent crew member or skipper your own boat and crew, the courses at Pembrokeshire Cruising will develop your boat handling, navigation and piloting skills whilst building your confidence on the water. The RYA sailing courses are delivered in and around the spectacular location of the Milford Haven Estuary, one of the deepest natural harbours in the world and are suitable for the complete novice or advanced sailor.

Climbing courses with The Climbing Company

Rock climbing taster sessions and courses are available with the Climbing Company where you’ll learn the basic movement skills and techniques, how to tie into the rope and belay each other. Whatever your experience you will learn new skills and have an exhilarating time on Pembrokeshire’s sea cliffs.

Bouldering courses with Wild Lakes Wales

Bouldering is a form of free climbing performed on lower walls (no higher than 4.5m). There is matting beneath the walls, as ropes and harnesses are not used for bouldering so all you need is some chalk and shoes. The 90 minute introduction lessons are available for adults and children and all equipment is provided. Private group lessons are available too.

Bushcraft skills with Black Rock Outdoor Company

The 3 or 6 hour course begins with your instructor meeting you at a specially selected, private woodland where you will learn the new and exciting skills. Depending on the length of your course you will cover subjects such as fire lighting, building shelters, finding food and water as well as identifying trees, knife skills and knot tying. Suitable for all ages and don’t forget your sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing for the woods.

Guided Wild Swims with Wild Swim Wales

Pembrokeshire’s crystal waters and beautiful coastline offer a stunning backdrop for your swim. With qualified instructors, you can improve your technique so you feel more confident, or are able to swim further &/or faster. Sessions are 1 hour, 2 hour or half day sessions and always include the opportunity for a good chat, a cuppa and cake! Join a group swim or create bespoke experience for you and your friends.

Ladies only

Wild Women Weekend with TYF

Re-connect with your inner wild woman on this relaxed weekend focused on rejuvenation and self-care, with some unique experiences added in to test your courage and openness too! Come alone or bring your daughters to experience a new take on mental and physical health.

Womens Surf & SUP weekend retreats with Outerreef

Our Women’s weekends are aimed at both the complete beginner, who may have never picked up a surfboard before and intermediate surfers who want some education and advice on all aspects of the sport such as performance analysis and development of specific manoeuvers. Whilst most importantly having lots of fun and meeting like-minded people!

Wildlife encounters

Snorkelling with puffins and seals or sharks with Celtic Deep

On the 6 hr adventure you embark on an exploration of our offshore and nearshore islands during their most vibrant season.  On the trip, if the wildlife allows, you get to snorkel with playful seals (and fingers-crossed, basking sharks too) and Celtic Deep will introduce you to the wonderful world of ‘snAUKling’, swimming with Puffins, guilliemots and razorbills.

The longer 10 hour trip explores the rich waters of the Celtic Deep 30 miles offshore. The focus will be to encounter blue sharks but it is also possible to see species such as porbeagle sharks, sunfish, minke & fin whales, common & bottlenose dolphins and bluefin tuna.

Wild River Trek with Top of the Woods

Travel slowly down the River Teifi by Canadian open canoe through the Teifi Gorge where your expert will guide you through flat water for most of the journey and a set of gentle rapids near the end of the trip. The trek takes 4 to 5 hours along a unique environment where fresh and saltwater meet and is an important habitat for species of otter, Red deer, Peregrine falcon, kingfishers, dragonflies, salmon and Sewin (sea trout).

Have an amazing time.

Don’t forget to share your Pembrokeshire experiences and to post pictures with the hashtag #VisitPembrokeshire on Instagram and Facebook. We love seeing your adventures!