MENU

for the adventurous!

If sitting on a beach doing as little as possible is not 'your thing', there are many interesting activities, places to discover and active adventures to enjoy within easy reach of both Catamouse Cottage and The Elms.  Whether you are all adults, or holidaying in Pembrokeshire with the family, we've compiled a shortlist below to give you a little taster!
 

Walk the Pembrokeshire coastal path

Walking or hiking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

Probably the most popular activity on land in Pembrokeshire!  Although the full Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs for 186 miles, there are several sections of this trail, close to both Catamouse Cottage and The Elms, that you may want to take a day out to explore!  Open the bonus content link below for details of four local stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, along with an assessment of their difficulty.

Click for bonus content:  our local Coastal Path hikes.


Milford Haven to Dale:  9 miles, a comparatively easy walk without any serious gradients and a perfect introduction to the delights of this unique hiking trail.  Wander from the industrial heart of Pembrokeshire, crossing the causeway at Sandy Haven (many of our guests at The Elms join the Coastal Path here).  This causeway is covered at high water, so check the tide times to save a four mile detour!

Passing beautiful Lindsway Bay you'll discover the tiny, hidden, cove of Monks Haven. . .  before reaching the mud flats and salt marshes of The Gann (a mecca for birdwatching), just outside Dale.

Dale to Martin's Haven:  10.5 miles, a fairly strenuous hike but well worth the effort!  From the mouth of Milford Haven estuary, along spectacular cliffs above (our favourite beach) Marloes Sands.  Rounding the most westerly point of the Marloes peninsula, the turbulent tidal race of Jack Sound, Skomer Island, and the wide sweep of St Bride's Bay will all reveal themselves!

Martin's Haven to Nolton Haven:  14 miles.  It's a relatively easy walk until you pass Little Haven. . .  but, if you time it correctly, then it's possible to walk from Little Haven to Broad Haven along the beach at low tide, cutting out the only really challenging hill on the stage.

Nolton Haven to Caerfai:  12 miles, quite strenuous in places.  If your fitness is up to it, this section is jam-packed with views.  The most stunning of which has to be the approach to Newgale Sands beach with two miles of golden sand (if it's not high tide!) stretching out into the distance as you round Rickets Head.

It's then a rollercoaster of steep ascents and descents before you reach The Gribbin at Solva with its magnificent vista down to the harbour and along the coast to St Davids, the UK's smallest City.

Click here to close this bonus content.


You can find a much more detailed, stage by stage map of the entire Coast Path on the Visit Pembrokeshire website.

Fun on the water

Stand-up paddleboarding in Pembrokeshire

Image courtesy of Outer Reef Surf School

Surrounded on three sides by ocean, and 90 miles of spectacular coastline within an easy hour's drive, it's hardly surprising that the sea, with its clear oceanic water, is probably our biggest single attraction.  These are just some ideas to 'whet' your appetite. . .  pun intended!  ;o)

Surfing:  Masterclass surf coaching hold half-day and full-day classes for total beginners to intermediate surfers on Broad Haven and Newgale beaches (see our Beach Guide), depending on sea conditions.  Surf Masters specialise in family groups and can supply wetsuits and safety equipment to suit all ages (over 8 years old) and sizes!

Paddleboarding:  Outer Reef Watersports, based in Pembroke, offer Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lessons and guided tours along the Cleddau River, and give you a chance to explore the most spectacular coastline in the county. . .  from Saundersfoot to Stackpole & Barafundle Bay!  ///blueberry.gown.asterisk

Guided sea kayak safaris:  Big Blue Adventures operate from both St Davids and Tenby, with single or double 'sit on top' kayaks. . .  which are far easier to master, making their guided tours ideal for beginners with no experience and families with kids (over 8 years old).

. . .and even more fun jumping in!

Pembrokeshire, the home of Coasteering

Image courtesy of Celtic Quest Coasteering

Probably the fastest growing adventure pastime in Pembrokeshire.  It's called coasteering and it really is the most amazing family fun!  Imagine clambering around sea rocks to explore otherwise inaccessible coves and caves, leaping into crystal pools. . .  timing each jump to match the Atlantic swells.

All this, of course, wearing full safety gear (including warm wet suits!) and under the direction of a professional instructor.  Coasteering is very popular so you'll almost certainly have to book in advance;  here are a selection of operators in Pembrokeshire. . .  with links to their websites and contact details.

Celtic Quest Coasteering based in Abereiddy, which is a little further away (just North of St Davids), but is home to the legendary Blue Lagoon. . .  and the area boasts a particularly rugged coastline.  ///creatures.juggler.riches

The Real Adventure Company, whilst their base is near St Davids, provide a dedicated minibus and driver to transport you to the chosen venue for that day's derring-do!  ///louder.folk.looms

Tenby Adventure which, as its name suggests, is located on the harbour in Tenby, but offer dozens of different guided routes (depending on weather and sea conditions), up and down the South Pembrokeshire coast and will meet you at the chosen location.  ///hourglass.whiplash.stocky

Snorkelling & diving

SCUBA diving and snorkelling or snorkeling in Pembrokeshire

Whilst you can snorkel from any of Pembrokeshire's 17 'Blue Flag' or 'Green Coast Award' beaches, coves or inlets, taking a snorkelling trip organised by a local operator, with local knowledge, will open up locations you might otherwise overlook!

Tenby Adventures, in addition to Coasteering, Tenby Adventures also organise snorkelling excursions with a BSAC qualified instructor.  A perfect introduction to the amazing wildlife to be found in the underwater world.  From aged 10 to. . .  old!  ///hourglass.whiplash.stocky

Celtic Deep in Dale offer guided snorkelling safaris for complete beginners, close to shore where (conditions permitting) you can snorkel with playful seals, puffins, guillemots and razorbills.  For experienced divers, a half-day boat trip to the rich waters of the 'Celtic Deep', 30 miles offshore, in search of encounters with blue and porbeagle sharks, sunfish, minke & fin whales, dolphins and bluefin tuna is not to be missed!  ///quote.restless.venturing

Haven Diving Services in Milford Haven are a full-service dive centre with PADI, BSAC & SAA qualified instructors and dive guides, plus air or Nitrox fills.  Experience shore dives with the help of knowledgeable local divers who know where to find elusive marine life. . .  or continue your diving education up to PADI Divemaster.  ///lawn.pushover.waltzed

Take to the saddle

Cycling and bike rental in Pembrokeshire

Cycling is a great way to experience Pembrokeshire's stunning coastline and, with many traffic-free trails criss-crossing the County, exploring our countryside is a safe, family friendly, activity.  Find maps of these trails in the Visit Pembrokeshire website.

Pembrokeshire Bike Hire:  Rent road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids, plus 'tagalongs' for the most junior riders and, of course, safety helmets if you don't have your own.  You can even have your bikes delivered to The Elms or Catamouse Cottage before 9am, ready for your day's adventure!

If Pembrokeshire's coastal gradients are a little daunting, why not try an e-bike for help with the uphills?  It's also the perfect way to 'try before you buy' if you are considering owning an electric bicycle.

Of course, there is more than one kind of saddle. . . 

Harvard Stables:  Based in Dinas Cross, near Fishguard, Harvard Stables are the only RDA approved riding centre in West Wales. . .  offering riding lessons and guided treks on quiet country lanes (and the mountain) that are suitable for all physical abilities and experience.  ///tomorrow.stall.goad

Marros Farm:  Enjoy a range of sessions to suit all levels of rider, even absolute beginners.  From a leisurely hack through their own off-road private woodland, up to, for experienced riders, exhilarating surf gallops along the famous seven miles of Pendine Sands!  ///fittingly.toys.translated

. . . when the weather doesn't play fair

Escape room family adventures in Tenby

The Captain's Treasure Room, photo courtesy of Tenby's Great Escape

What do you do at an escape room?  Locked into a themed room or rooms, you must explore your surroundings to find hints and clues.  If you search hard enough (and are smart enough), you can figure out passcodes, open locks, find hidden items and ultimately free yourself... all within an hour.  Easily the most fun you can have without getting wet!  :o)

Tenby's Great Escape can you and your family escape, against the clock, from the Captain's Treasure Room, the magical Wizard's Lair or chilling Tenby Asylum?  You'll need to work as a team to find fiendishly well hidden clues and solve the mystery to escape before your time finally runs out. . . ///calibrate.huddling.door

Mansion of Mystery located at Picton Castle near Haverfordwest has two new escape rooms for 2023;  'The Time Machine'; set in 1895, find the blueprints for the time machine, hidden somewhere in the past, and 'Espionage Spy School', where you'll need to work as a team to survive as a secret agent!  For two to six players.  ///finishes.chairing.engaging

West Wales Karting:  This indoor Kart track on the County Showground in Haverfordwest is open all year round and caters for all ages, including kids (from 8 years of age).  They offer 'Arrive & Drive' sessions most days, but it's better to call and check, just in case there is a competition in progress!  ///city.over.cubs
 

We use an Analytics cookie to monitor visitor behaviour and ensure that we give you the best possible experience.  This cookie is important to us, so we'd appreciate you accepting!

CLICK HERE FOR OUR COOKIE POLICY. . .

ACCEPT DECLINE