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A wonderful sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see is about the best thing in the world. And the best thing about it is that the magic works year-round. A fantastic place on a gorgeous sunny day, sure, but also unbeatable on a chilly winter's day with that glorious azure blue sky. We're absolutely spoilt for choice along this stunning, world-renowned coastline, with sandy cove after sandy cove. Many are dog friendly (restrictions vary at different times of year) and they are minutes away from Trenewydd Farm. Cardigan Bay has the largest population of dolphins in Europe, so it's always worth having a look from any cliff top to see what you can see.  Our 7 Closest Beaches
After all that energy you've expended exploring the wilds of West Wales, tummies are rumbling and it's time to replenish! "What's good?", you ask? Well, plenty. We have some fantastic eateries nearby. This is by no means exhaustive, of course, just some of our favourites. 
Ok, yes it's true - Wales can be wet. It's not always wall to wall glorious sunshine and stunning blue skies, although there's nothing more beautiful than West Wales on those perfect summer days. But if there's one thing we can't guarantee here, it's good weather. So if it does happen to rain, to some extent it's a case of just getting on with it... as Alfred Wainwright famously said in his 1973 book Coast to Coast, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing." As adults, there is a wealth of museums, galleries, castles, cathedrals and shopping on offer, or you could try some of the myriad water-based activities nearby that will get you wet anyway. If you have children, however, and you don't want them to get all soggy, then you'll need some suggestions.  7 Indoor Options
1. Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo Located near Tenby, about 40 minutes from us is Folly Farm which has a wealth of outdoor fun: plenty of animal enclosures to walk around and some outdoor rides. If it's chucking it down, this is a great option as there is a huge under cover vintage fair - apparently the largest in Europe - with rides, dodgems, and even a ghost train. You can spend plenty of time indoors keeping dry, and then venture out if the sun does happen to peek through. Full details 2. The Creative Cafe Pottery Painting Unleash the artist within and do some pottery painting or make clay hand and footprints. Open 7 days a week, this is is a great choice, and there are two Cafes nearby in Narberth or Haverfordwest. Full details 3. Felinwynt Playbarn The nearest indoor play place to us is Felinwynt, which is just the other side of Cardigan. There's soft play for children up to the age of 10, with a café adjacent to watch over the little ones. Full details 4. Hangar 5 Trampoline Park This is a great option for having the kids wear off some energy while you supervise from the cafe with a hot drink and food. If the kids are a little small for trampolining, there's a soft play area too. Full details 5. Heatherton World of Activities Also near Tenby, Heatherton has plenty of activities that you can do under cover, including a soft play area, escape rooms, and an indoor racing track, Pembrokeshire Raceway which is a 1/24 scale slot car track. Full details 6. The Dinosaur Park We always have great reviews from our guests who go to the Dinosaur Park, and on a rainy day there is an indoor playground, with soft play for the younger ones and a separate area for older children. Full details 7. West Wales Karting If you're after a little more adrenaline for ages 8 and upwards, then how about some indoor karting? They have a 300 metre indoor track, with five hairpins and a 70 metre straight so it caters for all abilities. Full details If action and adventure is what you're after in your ideal holiday, you've come to the right place. The extensive coastline and miles of unspoilt countryside provide all manner of options for fun and exciting activities. Either have a go yourself, or if you don't have the experience or the gear there are several local businesses which offer both. Pembrokeshire itself lays claim to the invention of coasteering, which is a scramble along cliffs both in and out of the water - a combination of the words 'mountaineering' and 'coast'.  4 Options Near to Trenewydd Farm
1. Cardigan Bay Active They say, "Cardigan Bay Active prides itself in offering a wide range of adventure activities which are fun, safe and showcase the best of what our natural landscapes have to offer", and there are certainly plenty of things you can try. Kayaking, bushcraft, surfing, paddle boarding, canoeing, white water tubing, and of course Coasteering. You can also choose sunrise and sunset tours, which sounds wonderful. They have a range of activities for all abilities, so do contact them if you're unsure. Full details 2. Adventure Beyond They say, "We are a family-run outdoor activity centre based in the beautiful Cardigan Bay in West Wales. We offer real activities and amazing adventures. At Adventure Beyond we pride ourselves in fun adventurous activities, tailored to all abilities. Whether you fancy an adrenaline fix, a relaxed family day out or time spent getting back to nature, we create bespoke adventures to suit you." The sister company to Cardigan Bay Active, you can also try raft building, climbing, gorge walking, or hill walking. Full details 3. Wild Lakes Recently refurbished, this is a fantastic option for anyone who loves water. They say, "Explore your wild with us...". You can try wake boarding, bouldering, open water swims, ringo rides, or get tickets for the Aqua Park and enjoy the challenge of a watery obstacle course. Full details 4. Llys-y-Frân Lake Also recently reopened after refurbishment, there is plenty to do here: over 9 miles of off road cycling, mountain biking, paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing, archery, axe throwing, climbing, and fishing. They have a What's On page, which is worth keeping an eye on in case you want to book up an event or activity. They plan to start holding triathlons, too. Full details You may find these other websites helpful: - Visit Pembrokeshire - Visit Wales - Active in Pembrokeshire What better sight and sound than water rushing over a steep edge and crashing to the river below... there is something mythical and wonderful about a waterfall, and after all, Pembrokeshire is known as the Land of Magic and Enchantment. Many waterfalls carry legends of hiding entrances to fairy kingdoms and other worlds. And on a hot summer's day, to trail your feet or let your dog splash through the shallows is a special kind of treat. Here in West Wales we have our fair share, due to its landscape of mountains, hills and valleys. So if waterfalls are your thing, there are plenty to visit.  5 Nearest Waterfalls
1. Ffynone Waterfall Less than 20 minutes away, this beautiful waterfall is said to be the entrance to the Celtic other world, and it is referenced in the book. 'Powerful Places in Wales' by Elyn Aviva & Gary White. There is easy parking, and a lovely scenic walk to the waterfall where you can cool your feet or even have a swim if you're brave enough. If you want to extend your walk, you can go quite a bit further. Full details 2. Cenarth Falls Also less than 20 minutes away, Cenarth Falls is a natural beauty spot with a cascade of waterfalls that can easily be seen from the road. The amount of water rushing downstream varies depending on the time of year, and it's worth heading there in the autumn to watch the salmon and migratory seatrout leaping upstream to spawn. There is a car park, and you can stay all day for £2.50. Full details 3. Tresaith Beach Another 20 minute trip - Tresaith Beach is a beautiful sandy beach named after the River Saith, and there's an unusual twist. The river cascades over the cliff to the beach, creating a wonderful waterfall. The added bonus of rockpooling and enjoying the beach make this one worth the trip. Full details 4. Gwaun Valley Waterfall This has the honour of being the tallest waterfall in Pembrokeshire! The footpath has only been open a couple of years, allowing people to see the waterfall for the first time. There are more than 100 steps marking along the 250 path. It's a 26 minute drive to Tregynon, which is the nearest village. Full details 5. Devils Bridge Falls (Mynach Falls) This one is a bit further away, but worth the trip. There are three bridges built on top of each other, and as you go down into the gorge you will come to a viewing platform which gives the best view. It's about a 45 minute walk in all, and can be a bit steep and slippery so take care! As an added bonus, you can catch the Vale of Rheidol Railway train from Aberystwyth and make a good day of it. Full details If this isn't enough to slake your thirst, or you are prepared to travel further, here are some links which may help: 18 Epic Waterfalls in Wales Waterfalls in Wales: Discover the myth, romance and legend 13 Spectacular Waterfalls in Wales The 15 Best Waterfalls in Wales to Visit - Wandering Welsh Girl At one time Wales had about 600 castles, more castles per square mile than anywhere in the world, hence the claim of being the Castle Capital of the World. Not all of them are still standing of course, but over 100 are still standing, so there are plenty to visit for those who like to step back in time. In fact, the castles of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech are said to be "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe, as demonstrated through their completeness, pristine state, evidence for organized domestic space, and extraordinary repertory of their medieval architectural form", according to UNESCO. So why not take some time during your holiday to visit a few.  Top 5 nearby castles
1. Cardigan Castle Our nearest castle, just a few minutes from Trenewydd Farm, Cardigan Castle is easily a top choice. Not only is there the castle remains, there is also a gorgeous Georgian Mansion to visit, and Grade II listed gardens full of rare plant species. Keep an eye out for concerts and exhibitions, too. Full details 2. Cilgerran Castle The first castle on this site was probably built around 1110, and it's easy to see why with the view over the River Teifi. Several paintings have been done of this wonderful castle, all in the national collection at the Tate. Full details 3. Kidwelly Castle This Norman stronghold is a definitely worth a visit. It has everything you'd want from a medieval castle, and is even featured in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. Full details 4. Nevern Castle Situated in a small village between Cardigan and Fishguard, why not make some time for this motte and bailey castle, once a Welsh stronghold. Full details 5. Newcastle Emlyn Castle Built in around 1240, this castle changed hands many times in battles between the Welsh and the English. It was reported to be in good repair in the early 17th century, but now in ruins, all that remains is the gatehouse and adjacent towers. Full details They call Pembrokeshire Gwlad Hud a Lledrith, which means Land of Magic and Enchantment. This land of rugged and beautiful landscape has inspired many myths and legends in its time. The best known is probably that of Cantre'r Gwaelod (the Lowland Hundred), our own version of the tale of Atlantis set right here in Cardigan Bay. The story goes that there was once a beautiful and properous low-lying land off the coast, consisting of 16 cities and teaming with markets, communities and princes. This land had a complicated system of embankments, and dykes which were opened and closed as necessary to allow the fields to be irrigated. Consequently, however, flooding was a permanent concern. This land was ruled by Gwynddno Garanhir, and he set a prince of the realm called Seithenyn to be in touch of the sluices. Some reports say that Seithenyn wasn't too keen on this role, and preferred to spend his time partying and having fun; others that he was normally fastidious and just had the one, fatal mishap. In any case, one evening, a birthday celebration was being held for Gwynddno's daughter, Mererid, and Seithenyn decided to go along in hopes of wooing her. That night a storm rolled in and the guards rushed to tell Seithenyn, who was the only person who could operate the gates, but he was nowhere to be found. The floodgates weren't closed and the sea came rushing in, drowning people and livestock and destroying the land forever. Despite Seithenyn's responsibility for the devastation, Mererid still married him and Gwnddno spent the rest of his days on the cliff top looking out to where his land had once been. There is some evidence of ancient forests, stone walls and causeways having been discovered and the waters of Cardigan Bay are shallow... so who knows, maybe this legend has some truth to it. If you stand on the cliffs above Cardigan Bay on a quiet night, and listen, you may hear the bells of Cantre'r Gwaelod pealing.  6 other Welsh Legends and Myths
1. Twm Sion Cati, the Welsh Robin Hood Yes, Wales has its very own Robin Hood! Thomas Jones, or Twm Sion Cati, was born in 1530 at Tregaron, Cardiganshire to Catherine 'Cati' Jones. He roamed West and Mid Wales as a highwayman and later as a conman, robbing the rich, er... but not really giving to the poor. But he didn't harm his victims and he also had an arch-enemy in the form of a Sheriff - of Carmarthen - so there are some similarities to the Nottingham Hood. You can visit the cave where Twm Son Cati would hide out at Dinas Hill - today, it's an RSPB nature reserve. The story ends with Thomas marrying an heiress and ending his life as a wealthy landowner and a respectable Justice of the Peace. 2. The Lady of the Lake A farm boy grazing his flock around the dark waters of Llyn y Fan Fach was amazed one day when a lady emerged from the lake. She was beautiful and graceful, and told the boy that he would have great riches if he married her. The boy fell in love immediately and they married, with him receiving a dowry of the best sheep, goats, and cattle. They were happy for many years, and had three sons... but the boy forgot his vow to never strike his wife and after he had done so three times she left him and walked back into the lake, taking all the livestock with her and leaving him devastated and destitute. Their three sons grew up to be the famous Physicians of Myddfai. 3. Merlin and the Dragons' Lair You won't be surprised to know that Wales also its own claim to the fame of Merlin... This is the story of the red Welsh dragon, also set in Beddgelert. King Vortigern chose Dinas Emrys, an ancient hill-fort near Beddgelert in Gwynedd as the place to build his castle in the fifth century, in an effort to escape the Saxons. However, every morning the the masons would get up to find their tools stole and walls fallen, so no progress was made. The King eventually decided he needed some help with this problem, and he consulted the local sorcerers and magicians who recommended he sprinkle the ground with the blood of a child with a human mother and a father from 'the other world'. A child was found in Carmarthen (Caer Myrddin) and preparations made to sacrifice him... but this was no ordinary child, no, this child was Merlin (the Merlin from the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table) and he had another story. Merlin said that two dragons, a white one and a red one, lay sleeping under a lake inside the mountain and they were the ones responsible for the problem. The labourers dug deep and found the underground lake as Merlin had described. The lake was drained and the two sleeping dragons awoke and started fighting. As you might predict, the red dragon won the fight, the white dragon was banished, and the fortress was able to be built. The Welsh red dragon has been celebrated ever since. 4. Gelert's Grave The sad tale of Gelert, the faithful dog of Llewelyn the Great can be read on Gelert's grave, also in the gorgeous village of Beddgelert: "In the 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales, had a palace at Beddgelert. One day he went hunting without Gelert, ‘The Faithful Hound’, who was unaccountably absent. On Llewelyn's return the truant, stained and smeared with blood, joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infant's cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the hound's side, thinking it had killed his heir. The dog's dying yell was answered by a child's cry. Llewelyn searched and discovered his boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert here". 5. Mari Lwyd, or Grey Mare Between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night, a hobby horse is made with a horse's skull mounted on a pole, lights or baubles as eyes, and a mane of brightly coloured streamers or trails of ivy. The person carrying the horse hides under a sackcloth and controls the horse's face, creating its character and working its jaw. A group of people go round the local houses with the horse, knocking on doors and singing songs. The evening concludes with much food and drink! 6. Daughters of the Sea This tale is also set in Cardigan Bay, and it's a sorry story. It is said that Dylan, the sea God, was jealous of an old man's three daughters so he sends a storm to Cardigan Bay to steal them. The father is heartbroken, and Dylan soon regrets his actions. However, instead of sending them back, he turned them into seagulls so that they could be at sea or on land. Whenever the father would walk on the beach and call his daughters' names, they would come to them. There are many, many more myths and legends said to have taken place in this ancient land, if you want to read more: BBC Wales history - myths and legends Land of legends The Guardian - Top 10 Welsh myths For many people, taking a staycation in the UK brings one huge advantage - the opportunity to bring the much-loved family dog on holiday with them. So what can you do and where can you go? The answer is many places, West Wales is one of the most dog-friendly places you'll find anywhere.  Dog Friendly Cottages
We are very happy for guests to bring their dogs with them and all of our six cottages plus the shepherd's hut are dog friendly. So, now you're here, what to do? See our Walking in Wild West Wales blog for some ideas for where to get out for some wonderful fresh air. You can set off right from our gates, or drive just a few minutes to a beach or walking path. Dog Friendly Beaches Speaking of beaches, you are spoilt for choice in Pembrokeshire and our neighbouring coastal county of Ceredigion, where long stretches of golden sand stretch into the distance under the stunning coastline of rugged cliffs. Head out for a sunset, you won't find better anywhere on the planet. But we digress... which beaches can you take your dog to, you ask? Dogs Permitted All Year Round
What Else Can We Do? There is a wealth of attractions and places to enjoy with your best friend. Here are just some:
And after You've Worked up an Appetite? Well you'll need a dog friendly restaurant. Look no further, we have some wonderful places to eat, right on our doorstep.
So in conclusion, yes do bring your dog with you on your holiday, why should they miss out? After all, there's nothing more wonderful than watching a dog having a marvellous time flying across an endless sandy beach, tongue lolling and ears flying. See you soon! |