Some places are best visited in summer. Pembrokeshire is one of them.

The county transforms in the warmer months. The coastline glows golden in the long evening light. The beaches fill with clear turquoise water. The wildlife is at its most active. And there is a particular energy to Pembrokeshire in summer that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the UK.

Whether you are planning a week away, a long weekend or simply looking for inspiration for your next trip - here is everything worth doing in Pembrokeshire this summer.

Why Summer is the Best Time to Visit Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is beautiful at any time of year. But summer gives it something extra.

The days are long - giving you more time to explore, more time on the coast path and more time sitting somewhere beautiful watching the light change on the water. The beaches are at their absolute best. The wildlife is active and visible. The towns are lively and full of energy. And the whole county feels like it has woken up and is putting on a show.

Summer in Pembrokeshire is also when the county becomes genuinely comparable to some of the best coastal destinations in Europe. The water at Barafundle Bay in July is the kind of turquoise that makes you double check you are still in Wales. The clifftops of the coast path in full sun are as dramatic as anything the south of France has to offer. And the long summer evenings give everything a warmth and quality that makes every moment feel worth staying up for.

Hit the Beaches

Pembrokeshire has some of the finest beaches in the UK - and summer is when they are at their very best.

Barafundle Bay is the one that stops people in their tracks. Accessible only on foot through National Trust woodland, it opens onto a sweep of golden sand and crystal clear water that has no right to be this good in Wales. No cafe, no car park, no crowds. Just one of the most beautiful beaches in the country doing its thing.

Tenby has not one but four beaches - North Beach, South Beach, Castle Beach and Harbour Beach - each with its own character and appeal. North Beach is the classic family beach. South Beach is wide, dramatic and perfect for a long walk. Castle Beach sits below the old town walls and offers a view that is hard to beat anywhere in Wales.

Manorbier Beach sits below a medieval castle on the headland - one of the most distinctive and photogenic spots on the entire Pembrokeshire coast. The combination of golden sand, clear water and the castle above makes it a must visit for any summer trip.

Saundersfoot is the sociable option - a charming harbour village with a wide sandy beach, brilliant independent cafes and a summer atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxed afternoon by the sea.

Walk the Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the great long distance walks in the UK - and summer is the best time to tackle a stretch of it.

Stretching 186 miles along some of the most dramatic coastline in Britain, the path takes in clifftops, hidden coves, sea stacks and views that genuinely take your breath away. In summer the wildflowers are in full bloom along the clifftops, the seabirds are active and the long evenings mean you can walk later into the day without losing the light.

You do not need to tackle the whole thing. Even a short stretch rewards the effort enormously. The walk from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay is relatively gentle and ends at one of the best beaches in the UK. The path near St Govan's Chapel takes you past extraordinary sea stacks and a medieval chapel built directly into the cliffs. And the stretch around Manorbier gives some of the finest clifftop views on the entire coast.

Explore the Castles

Pembrokeshire has more than its fair share of dramatic castles - and summer is the perfect time to explore them.

Pembroke Castle is the standout. One of the finest medieval castles in Wales, it sits on a dramatic limestone outcrop above the river in the heart of Pembroke town. The birthplace of Henry VII, it is open to explore throughout summer and well worth a couple of hours of any visit.

Carew Castle offers a different experience entirely - a dramatically ruined castle on the estuary with a working tidal mill right on its doorstep. The setting is extraordinary and the combination of castle and tidal mill in one visit makes it genuinely unique in Wales.

Manorbier Castle sits right above the beach - a beautifully preserved medieval fortress with sea views that most castles can only dream of. One of the most photographed spots in Pembrokeshire and well worth a visit.

Wildlife Spotting

Summer brings some of the finest wildlife experiences in the UK to Pembrokeshire - and they are absolutely worth building your trip around.

Skomer Island is the headline act. Home to one of the largest puffin colonies in the world, boat trips from Martin's Haven give you the chance to get genuinely close to thousands of nesting puffins between April and July. It is one of those wildlife experiences that stays with you - and booking early is essential as places go fast.

Along the coast path and at Stackpole Head, grey seals are a regular sight throughout the summer months - often visible from the clifftops or swimming in the clear water of the coves below.

And in the waters around Pembrokeshire, bottlenose dolphins are spotted regularly throughout summer - particularly around Cardigan Bay and the waters off the south Pembrokeshire coast. A genuinely extraordinary sight if you are lucky enough to catch them.

Discover the Towns

Pembrokeshire's towns are worth exploring in their own right - and summer is when they are at their most vibrant.

Tenby is the obvious starting point. A beautifully preserved medieval walled town with pastel coloured buildings, a working harbour, brilliant independent shops and more than enough restaurants and cafes to keep you busy for a full day.

Narberth has quietly established itself as one of the most interesting independent towns in Wales. Brilliant restaurants, galleries, boutique shops and a food scene that punches well above its weight. About 20 minutes from Lamphey Court and well worth an afternoon.

Saundersfoot is the relaxed option - a charming harbour village with a sandy beach, independent cafes and a laid back summer atmosphere that makes it perfect for a slow morning or a long lunch.

Where to Stay - Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa

For a summer visit to Pembrokeshire, Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa is the perfect base.

Set in a beautifully restored Georgian mansion on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the hotel sits at the heart of everything the county has to offer. The beaches, the castles, the coast path and the towns are all within easy reach - most within a 20-minute drive.

After a day out exploring, the spa is waiting. A 14-metre infinity pool, herbal sauna, aromatic steam room and spa bath - the perfect way to end a summer day in Pembrokeshire. And the kitchen takes locally sourced Pembrokeshire ingredients seriously - seasonal summer menus that celebrate the best of what the county produces, served in one of the most elegant dining rooms in Wales.

View our rooms →
Explore the spa →
View our packages →

Ready to Plan Your Family Days Out in Pembrokeshire?

Pembrokeshire is waiting. And so is Lamphey Court.

Whether you are planning a full week of family adventures or simply looking for a brilliant few days away this summer - we would love to welcome you.

📞 01646 672273
✉️ info@lampheycourt.co.uk
🌐 lampheycourt.co.uk