The Pembrokeshire Coast

Last week we took a well earned break, and introduced the little boy to a traditional British beach holiday.

This year, as last, we visited the Pembrokeshire coast, staying at the excellent White Gate Caravan Park. This five star rated park is set in the quiet, and aptly named Pleasant Valley, and is mere minutes away from the coast and sandcastle heaven.

Our hosts, John, Charlotte, and their lovely little boy made us feel welcome from the get go, and were more than happy to help us achieve the perfect holiday experience, letting us know what is going on in the area. They definitely deserve the five stars they have been rated.

A visit to Pembrokeshire would be incomplete without a visit to at least one of the fifteen castles in the area. Last year we visited Manorbier, a sort of a trip down memory lane from my boyhood. This year we visited the daddy of them all Pembroke Castle.

  

You can imagine the excitement for a little boy, running around this massive castle, exploring all the little nooks and crannies. There is also lots to entertain older children, and adults alike, as the castle comes to life to explain its rich history.

The British weather being what it is, you can always expect a drop or three of rain, even in June, and this week was no exception. Luckily for us it was only the first couple of mornings, so it didn’t dampen our spirits.

  

With the rain freshly cleared up, off we trotted to Anna Ryder Richardson’s Manor House Wildlife Park, to visit the rhinos, and tigers. Unfortunately, the Sumatran cats aren’t yet at the park, but there are still plenty of other animals, to keep the little ones entertained, including lots of lovely meerkats trying to sell insurance to the visitors.

With the sun now out, complete with hat, (hip hip hooray,) we got to hit the beaches! Starting from left to right, along our little bit of coastline, we have Tenby, Saundersfoot, Wiseman’s Bridge, (our closest to White Gate,) Amroth, Marros, and Pendine. They are all beautiful beaches, and depending on which you chose, you can have all the hustle and bustle of Tenby, or you can have the beach to yourself at Marros.

As with all beach holidays it’s not just the bucket and spade that’s compulsory!

  

As you can imagine a week of sun sea and sand, meant that we HAVE to eat ice cream, CONSTANTLY! It’s the law, don’t you know.

No matter how much fun you can have at the seaside, (and we had lots!) it still wasn’t the crowning jewel of our holiday, oh no, that prize goes to Folly Farm.

  

When it comes to farm parks, I’ve seen more than my fair share over the last two years, but all pale in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, in the eyes of a two year old they are all wonderful places where bunnies can be petted, and soft play areas are as big as football pitches, (in their eyes), but Folly Farm goes that one step farther and appeals to the child buried deep within the hearts of us parents. 

I know for a fact that most dads would jump on this little digger in the sand pit, alongside their toddler and dig holes. Across the other side of the path at Folly Farm is dad heaven.
 

Once little Harry has learned how to milk a goat, why not show him how this little family feed.

   

And if your family tire of watching the zebra and giraffe graze, or the penguins swimming around under water, then I guess you could take in the adventure playground that IS the size of a football pitch.

  

If you manage to do all that, and still have energy/time left in the day, then the indoor fairground is worth a visit. Some of Britain’s oldest steam powered carousels, waltzers, and ghost trains, are not only on display, but you can ride them to your hearts content.

   

     

Dotted around this large fairground, you can find a hall of mirrors, hook the duck, rifle ranges, and all the old stall games your grandparents would remember playing in their youth.

All in all, I’d say that in our busy week in Pembrokeshire, we only covered about a third of all the activities available.

Bare in mind that most things are off the agenda with a toddler, due to age, or height restrictions, and you can start to imagine what fun can truly be achieved with the likes of roller coasters and lazer quests or paintball.

I think there will be many more visits to this area over the next 20 years, and we will never tire of it!