Tenby, Pembrokeshire: The Walled Harbour Town, History & Things to Do

Tenby is a walled seaside town on the south coast of Pembrokeshire, on a headland between two long sandy beaches. Pastel-painted Georgian houses line the cliffs above the little harbour, and medieval walls still ring the old town.

Why Tenby Is Special

Tenby is one of the prettiest seaside towns in Britain, with three miles of sandy beaches, a picture-postcard harbour and narrow medieval lanes, all within a few minutes' walk.

It is also the gateway to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and to Caldey Island, home of a community of monks.

The History of Tenby

Tenby's 13th-century town walls survive in remarkable condition. After an attack in 1260, the Earl of Pembroke, William de Valence, ordered their completion, and the gatehouse known as the Five Arches still leads into the old town. Once the walls were built, Tenby Castle on the headland became obsolete, and it was abandoned by the end of the 14th century.

The town prospered as a port in the Middle Ages, and the Tudor Merchant's House, now cared for by the National Trust, shows how a merchant family lived around 1500. St Mary's church dates from the 15th century.

In the 19th century Tenby became a fashionable resort, and its Georgian and Victorian terraces date from that time. Boats sail from the harbour to Caldey Island, a monastic island just offshore.

Things to Do in Tenby

Walk the walls to the Five Arches, explore the lanes of the old town, and visit the Tudor Merchant's House and Tenby Museum and Art Gallery. Climb Castle Hill for the view over the harbour and the beaches.

In season, take a boat from the harbour to Caldey Island to visit the monastery and its shop. Walk along North Beach or South Beach at low tide.

Gardens, Countryside & Antiques near Tenby

Walk part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and see our guide to the Pembrokeshire Coast. Families enjoy Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo and Manor Wildlife Park, both close by.

For antiques, Malthouse Antiques is in Narberth, a pretty market town a few miles north.

Tenby Through the Seasons

Spring brings wild flowers to the clifftops. Summer is beach season, with boat trips to Caldey. Autumn is golden and quieter, and winter walks on the long beaches are bracing and beautiful.

Getting to Tenby

Tenby has a railway station on the line from Swansea and Carmarthen to Pembroke Dock. The old town is best explored on foot.

Tenby: Questions & Answers

Can you visit Caldey Island from Tenby?

Yes. Boats sail from Tenby harbour in season; check sailing times, which depend on the weather.

How old are Tenby's town walls?

They date from the 13th century; the Five Arches gate still leads into the old town.

Our Advice

Our advice: Walk the walls and harbour in the morning, take the boat to Caldey at midday, and spend the evening on the beach.