PEMBROKESHIRE is the perfect coastal getaway.
The county is storybook-stunning and packed full of amazing sandy beaches.
We’ve barely pulled into the driveway of our holiday home when the kids spot the sea and seven-year-old Nate’s already shedding clothes and clambering down the woodland path to Glen Beach.
Catching up with him, we can see why he’s so excited.
Thirteen-year-old Freya has got her camera phone out in record time, and even two-year-old Dylan stops throwing stones for a few seconds to look around. This is storybook-stunning.
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With low cliffs behind and rocks jutting out of the sea, you can even take a sandy walk right into Saundersfoot Bay at low tide.
We finally cajole the kids back to settle into 3, The Glen, a Tardis-like mid-terrace cottage.
The kitchen, with its breakfast bar, large table and corner sofa, plus its two large doubles, a big twin and a smaller bunk bedroom, means there’s ample space for eight guests.
We discover fresh milk and a basket of goodies, including cookies and hot chocolate, though my favourite luxury has to be the roll-top bath with views past shuttered windows to the long, tree-lined garden.
Rocks and rolls
When the tide’s in, it’s a seven-minute walk along the pavements to Saundersfoot’s harbour and its life-size Coastal Schooner, complete with ropes to climb, which opens this summer (Saundersfootharbour.co.uk).
Meanwhile, Ecoast Pembrokeshire on the high street sells fab recycled products, and you can borrow buckets, spades and a litter picker – a genius way to keep kids busy (@Ecoast_pembs).
Fuel up at Butternut Pantry with an excellent cooked breakfast, gorgeously pillowy cinnamon bun or just a cappuccino.
Nearby, The Tramway Cafe serves crêpes, waffles and sundaes – the Nutella and cookie dough creation is a showstopper (Facebook.com/thetramway).
From Saundersfoot, you can walk to the sandy beaches of Coppet Hall and on to the quaint hamlet of Wisemans Bridge in 30 minutes, passing through tunnels which were once used for carrying coal by tram along the coast.
There’s excellent rockpooling potential here, and kids will adore scrambling over the huge rocks and building pebble statues.
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If the weather’s dry, hunt out Cwlbox parked up at Foundry Point, and try the crispy squid, £12, and prawns, £14, served with loaded dirty fries.
The view’s magical, but the food still manages to steal the show.
Dungeons & dragons
There’s absolutely no shortage of things to do nearby.
Heatherton World Of Activities is exactly what the name suggests: load up on credits – £15.50 for six – and dart between go-karting, archery, pistol shooting and much, much more (Heatherton.co.uk).
Or for a brilliant day out, Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, a 10-minute drive away, is wonderful.
We hear the family farm’s history aboard the Land Train, while waving to pygmy goats, woolly pigs, blacknose sheep and other rare breeds.
The Jolly Barn, originally the dairy parlour, is home to miniature ponies, donkeys and chicks, plus there are giraffes, rhinos, lions, penguins and meerkats, as well as a vintage fairground and huge indoor climbing towers.
Tickets cost from £23.95 for adults and £14.95 for over-twos (Folly-farm.co.uk).
The sun comes out the following day, so the kids are keen to join the Dragon Quest at Carew Castle.
There’s a different themed trail each school holiday and they love exploring the towers and working out where floors and doors once were, as well as learning about its 2,000-year history.
Freya’s interested in the spooky tales of a resident ape and Princess Nest, who’s believed to still haunt the castle, while Nate’s fully immersed in his role as a knight – even talking us into buying a wooden bow and arrow.
Entry costs £7 for adults, £5 for kids, and will also get you into Tidal Mill, the only restored one of its kind in Wales (Carewcastle.com).
Before you leave, hit the causeway to go crabbing – it’s one of the best spots in the county.
Ten out of Tenby
Tenby, with its colourful houses and beautiful beaches, is 10 minutes’ drive from Saundersfoot, and even on a grey day we’re struck by its beauty.
The terrace at Vista At Tenby on Crackwell Street serves up views of North Beach and fishing boats bobbing prettily in the harbour, alongside its deliciously frothy coffees (@Vistaattenby).
Tenby Bookshop on Tudor Square sees the kids spend their holiday money (Facebook.com/Tenbybookshop), while I fall for the trinkets in Ebb & Flow (Ebbandflowtenby.shop) and interiors goodies in The Nook (Thenooktenby.co.uk).
Later, we stroll down historic Sergeant’s Lane with its colourful flags and festoon lighting, and pick up bottles of locally brewed Pia Whanga craft beer, £2.80, from Harbwr Brewery Tap & Kitchen (Harbwr.wales).
We’re still dreaming about the chocolate fudge cake topped with Pembrokeshire ice cream, £8, at The Qube Restaurant & Cellar Bar.
It’s the perfect finish to melt-in-the-mouth sea bass and king prawns, £24, and the kids’ battered fish and chips with baked beans, £9 (Theqube-tenby.co.uk).
Planning our next visit before we’ve even packed up the car, it’s fair to say we’ve all had a Wales of a time.
Don’t miss!
The milkshake machine at Dai’s Dairy, Trenewydd Farm is a must.
Grab a reusable glass bottle, £2, and fill with flavoured shakes, such as white chocolate and raspberry, made from the freshest milk, from £1.10 for 500ml (Facebook.com/Daisdairy).
