Further Afield
Market Towns, Beautiful Coast and Pembrokeshire National Park
If you can bear to pull yourself away from the hotel and surrounding beaches, Pembrokeshire has a wealth of beautiful places and exciting detours. Soft sand beaches, sweet villages and bustling market towns beckon. Indeed, you can go in search of a culture or escape from it entirely as the mood takes you.
Naturally, there is more to the region than we could hope to fit into one neat roundup. However, along with with some stand wonderful little known treasures and the highlights below, it is always worth checking the Penally Abbey Blog for a more detailed look at current events, regional highlights and the best Pembrokeshire attractions.
The wonderful Narberth for lovely independent shops and cafes (20-minute drive from Penally)
With so much to see and peruse, Narberth is a great day out for any visitor who fancies a great day of shopping in Pembrokeshire. The town is particularly good for craft stores, galleries and antiques, with plenty of choices available but at a relaxed pace. You might find anything from handmade jewellery to amazing local produce here; talking of which, Narberth is enjoying a growing reputation among foodies in Wales. For a handy whistle-stop tour of highlights, try the 48 hours in Narberthsection of the Visit Pembrokeshire site.
Take a Wild Stroll around Stackpole (27 mins from Penally Abbey)
A beguilingly pretty mixture of countryside and coast, Stackpole is not only a splendid estate open to visitors but a nationally important nature reserve. Great for walks or family days out (there are around 20 miles of footpaths), this is also one of the best places to spot otters, kingfishers and rare dragonflies in Wales. The coast and some of the ponds are also a lovely spot for some sea and coarse fishing too. We have maps and leaflets at Penally Abbey, but for more on the area, see the official National Trust site for this pretty destination.
Visit St. Davids, Britain's Smallest City (1 hour from Penally Abbey)
With just 1400 residents, St.Davids is a city with a small "c". However, in and around this miniature metropolis the visitor will find charming streets, independent shops and places to eat, plus some beautiful coastline at nearby Whitesands. Various activities include boat trips, some fascinating history and archaeological tours and some interesting courses and events, from mosaic making to whale watching. See the official site of the city for further ideas.
