Great Family Friendly Attractions and Days Out With the Kids In Pembrokeshire
Whether your interests are nature, history, gentle activities or adrenalin buzzing fun there’s lots to do and enjoy with your family on holiday in Pembrokeshire!
Here are four outings to pop on your ‘family fun’ list. They’re all a great way to get the kids disconnected from their gadgets and getting immersed in glorious technicolour reality again!
Castell Henllys Iron Age Settlement
Just down the road from Croft Farm, overlooking the ancient oak woodlands of Nevern Valley lies Castell Henllys – where you get the chance to step back in time to the Iron Age. This multi award winning site is a unique Iron Age hill fort which has been recreated with replica Iron Age thatched roundhouses, which are actually built right on top of the excavated remains of the existing hill fort, dating back 2,400 years.
There are dozens of hands-on events held at Castell Henllys – all designed to get children really involved in ancient Celtic life, and getting a feel for what living in the Iron Age could have been like. Joining Arianrhod and the other Celtic characters, it might be grinding the grains, baking bread on open fires, building a new wattle and daub roundhouse with mud, or having your face painted like a Celtic warrior preparing for battle. Other events include storytelling, falconry, river and bug explorations, and woodland sprite workshops. There are also the wildflower meadows and peaceful ancient woodlands to explore.
Skomer Island Boat Trip To See The Puffins
Taking a trip out to Skomer Island on the south west coast of Pembrokeshire is one of the truly magical days out you can enjoy here in West Wales.
Departing from the tiny inlet of Martin’s Haven you can either have a boat trip around the island, or you can land on the 2 mile long island and explore (which we recommend).
The best time of year to visit if you want to see the puffins is between May and early July, when about 6,000 of them return to spend early summer on the island. They make their nests in the cliff-top burrows with each pair laying just a single egg, and are surprisingly unbothered by all the human visitors watching them. It’s this time of year that you’ll see the iconic image so often photographed, of puffins returning to the land with a beak full of a tidy line of sand eels.
As well as the puffins, the seas around Skomer are also home to many different seabirds including guillemots and razorbills, grey seals basking on the rocks, and sometimes porpoise, so there’s a chance to really get close to nature on the 15 minute boat trip, and walking around the island pathways.
Also at this time of year Skomer is carpeted with stunning swathes of red Campion, bluebells and other wildflowers. It truly is a photographer’s paradise, as well as a chance to get up close to one of nature’s most endearing birds in its natural wild setting.
Castles Galore!
Who doesn’t love a romp around an ancient castle?! We have castles galore here in West Wales so it’s a great way to get a taste of our (somewhat bloodthirsty!) history and the ancient feuds which played out between the Welsh Princes in the past.
Close to Croft is Cilgerran Castle – the ruins of which can still be visited, towering high above the rocky sides of the Teifi River gorge. It is thought to date from the 1100’s, and Cilgerran itself was first mentioned in 1164 when the Lord Rhys captured the castle. The current stone structure is thought to date from the 13th century, and the 2 massive round towers still look remarkably imposing.
A bit farther afield is Pembroke Castle, birthplace of Henry VII. As well as the restored castle remains with huge towers, battlements, turrets and an underground cavern to explore, what makes this a great place to visit is how much care has gone into the accompanying exhibition rooms which portray life as it was during the castle’s tumultuous history. These dramatic exhibitions include lifelike sculpted figures and scenes, sets staging key events, mural paintings, audio sequences and lighting effects, as well as replica models of the Castle throughout the different centuries (from first being built in the late 11th Century).
For anyone who enjoys a glimpse into the past, a castle visit is a must!
Horse Riding Adventures
Whatever your ability, from novice to more experienced, there’s something uniquely different about viewing Pembrokeshire from horseback. Our countryside offers fantastic opportunities to get off the beaten track, and enjoy a horsey adventure.
You could amble down dappled woodland bridleways, or follow the old drovers’ tracks up onto the top of the Preseli Hills overlooking Cardigan Bay, or go for a canter through the surf on our long sandy beaches. Whether you’re looking for a child friendly leading rein ride, a short hack, a more leisurely ride with a pub meal stop, or an exhilarating half or full day out over lots of different terrain, riding will definitely be a highlight of your holiday in Pembrokeshire!
Check out Crosswell Riding Stables, Havard Stables and Nolton Riding Stables for more information
And of course – for more information on having a family holiday with us at Croft Farm & Celtic Cottages check out our Special Offers Page on the website
