Local Area

Pembrokeshire Coast • Beaches & Coastal Walks • Tenby & Saundersfoot

Pembrokeshire in Wales is one of the most distinctive coastal regions in the UK, known for its national park, wide range of beaches and varied coastline.

Waterwynch House sits on directly on the Pembrokeshire coast, offering immediate access to the landscape that defines the area, while being a short distance from Tenby and Saundersfoot. With views across Carmarthen Bay towards the Gower Peninsula, it’s a perfect base for exploring, relaxing and enjoying the best of Pembrokeshire. From coastal walks and boat trips to exploring local food, culture and wildlife, the area offers something for every kind of stay.

Tenby

Tenby Harbour with colourful boats, sandy beach and sea views in Pembrokeshire
Tenby Harbour with colourful boats, sandy beach and sea views in Pembrokeshire

Tenby is one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known coastal towns, steeped in history and fringed by miles of fine sandy beaches. Narrow lanes connect restaurants, quirky shops and relaxed cafes, perfect for an afternoon stroll or a little retail therapy.

Which? rated Tenby the best value beach town in the UK, scoring full marks for its beaches, seafront, accommodation and food and drink. It was one of only three towns in their survey of 118 seaside destinations to achieve a perfect beach score, with almost all respondents praising its four family-friendly beaches and the views of Goscar Rock rising from beyond the north shore. Notably, many of those surveyed said they visit out of season, which will surprise nobody who has been here in April or May.

Whether you’re drawn to history, nature, water sports or simply the beach, there’s something for everyone. Walkers and cyclists are well catered for, with the famous Pembrokeshire Coastal Path running just behind the property. On the water, options range from island cruises and fishing trips to paddleboarding and coasteering, and getting around is easy with bikes, taxis and even tuk-tuks available locally.

From Waterwynch, Tenby is easily reached on foot via the coastal path, or at low tide you can take the scenic route along the beach itself.

Visit our page for more information on Group Accommodation in Tenby→

Saundersfoot

Wide sandy beach at Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire beneath a dramatic coastal sky
Wide sandy beach at Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire beneath a dramatic coastal sky

Saundersfoot has recently been named the number one coastal town in the UK by Time Out, ahead of places such as Brighton and Blackpool.

Set along the Pembrokeshire coast about 2 miles from Waterwynch, it combines a wide Blue Flag sandy beach and harbour with a strong selection of places to eat and drink, from seafood restaurants to more relaxed spots along the seafront.

It offers a slightly different feel to Tenby, with a more open layout, a growing mix of shops and bistros, and easy access to the coast path.

From Saundersfoot, the coastal path leads back towards Waterwynch, offering a walk along the Pembrokeshire coastline, with stunning views of Tenby. It can be done directly from the house.

Beyond Saundersfoot & Tenby

Pembrokeshire Coast Path near St Govan’s Head with rugged cliffs and sea views
Pembrokeshire Coast Path near St Govan’s Head with rugged cliffs and sea views
St Davids Cathedral interior in Pembrokeshire with painted ceiling and hanging decorations
St Davids Cathedral interior in Pembrokeshire with painted ceiling and hanging decorations

Beyond Tenby and Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire offers a wide range of places to explore, from well-known landmarks to quieter corners of the coastline and inland countryside.

Along the coast, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path links a series of distinctive landscapes. The beaches at Barafundle, Broadhaven South and Manorbier are among the most widely regarded in the county, while the Bosherston Lily Ponds offer a quieter alternative, with woodland walks leading down towards the coast.

Further west, St Davids provides a different perspective, with its cathedral, small city streets and access to some of the more rugged stretches of coastline. Nearby Solva sits at the mouth of a sheltered harbour, with a slower pace and views along the estuary.

Inland, Narberth has become known for its independent shops and places to eat, and is often included as part of a day out from the coast. The Preseli Hills offer a complete change of scenery, with open moorland, ancient monuments and far-reaching views across the county.

Pembroke Castle is one of the area’s most impressive landmarks, and well worth a visit in its own right. Caldey Island, visible from Tenby, can also be reached by boat, offering a more self-contained landscape just offshore.

The variety across Pembrokeshire makes it well suited to both shorter outings and longer days exploring, all within easy reach of the house.

See our journals about exploring Pembrokeshire from Waterwynch and the coast is not just beaches for more information.

Local Beaches

Rocky beach with stairs leading up a cliff to a historic fortress on a hill, blue sky with light clouds, few people walking on the sandy shore.
A scenic view of a beach with clear turquoise water, sandy shoreline, and green cliffs in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Aside from Waterwynch Beach itself, the surrounding Pembrokeshire coastline offers an exceptional range of beaches within easy reach.

To the south, Tenby’s beaches are consistently recognised among the best in the UK, while to the north, Saundersfoot provides a Blue Flag broad sandy beach along a more open stretch of coastline.

Pembrokeshire is blessed with a variety of fabulous beaches, from quieter coves to larger expanses of sand, making it possible to explore a different beach each day.

For more information on the beaches of Pembrokeshire read our journal on the coastline inside the house.

Waterwynch House is positioned to make the most of Pembrokeshire as a whole, with direct access to the coast and within easy reach of Tenby, Saundersfoot and the wider area.

For groups looking to explore the coastline and spend time together, it offers a setting that is both connected and removed.

Aerial view of a seaside town with a sandy beach, green hills, boats in the water, and colorful buildings near the shore.