If you’re a dog lover like me, you know that travelling with your four-legged friend is a total joy. I was brought up with a wonderful border collie named Jess and my family has always had dogs. My greatest holiday memories have always involved a dog in some way, shape or form. They’re the best!
In more recent years, my collie dog Archie has been instrumental in my success as a travel writer, featuring throughout my guidebooks and inspiring thousands of dog owners to take their beloved canines on epic adventures across the UK.
Sadly, we lost Archie in May of 2024, however, I take great comfort in sharing with you my guidebook, Dog-Friendly Weekends Away UK and continuing his legacy by inspiring and helping fabulous dog owners like you to create magical memories on weekends away with your pooch.
My guidebook is packed with insider tips, doggy weekend away ideas, and essential travel advice to ensure you and your canine companion can enjoy an unforgettable trip together. You’ll find an array of charming hotels, cosy cottages and cool campsites where dogs are treated like royalty. The days of leaving the dog behind are over. It’s a dog-friendly revolution!
So, what’s it like to travel through Pembrokeshire with your dog? This extraordinary corner of South West Wales is an area of outstanding natural beauty that’s rich in dramatic scenery, spectacular coastal footpaths and miles of white sand beaches. Ideal for dog walks! In addition to beaches galore, Pembrokeshire has many seaside towns and historic castles to discover. Why not take a dog-friendly boat trip to a nearby island or take on the dog agility course at Heatherton World of Activities?
Here are my top 3 picks for a dog-friendly trip to Pembrokeshire...
Freshwater West Beach
Top 3 dog walking spots
Freshwater West Beach Haverfordwest, SA71 5AH
One for Harry Potter fans! This wild, sandy paradise is home to Dobby’s grave (featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). The beach is huge, so plenty of space for your pooch to burn off some energy! You might also want to visit the nearby Freshwater East beach, another popular spot for dog walkers.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path St Dogmaels, Cardigan, SA43 3LR
A spectacular 186-mile long National Trail that twists and turns all the way along the coastline from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. Covering some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, it’s the perfect route for a scenic walk with your pooch! Granted, you won’t want to take on the entire stretch (that passes 58 beaches and 14 harbours!), but we can recommend the six-mile Stackpole Wildlife Walk.
Ynys Dinas (Dinas Island) Newport, SA42 0SE
Dinas Island is a peninsula which is partially detached from the mainland and offers a spectacular 3-mile circular walk that begins at the Pwllgwaelod car park and offers some of the finest views anywhere on the Pembrokeshire coast. Look out for seals in the some of the small coves along the route!
Top 3 things to see & do
Strumble Head Lighthouse
Strumble Head Lighthouse Pencaer, SA64 0JL
This stunning landmark (situated on St Michael’s Island to the west of Fishguard) was originally constructed in 1908 to mark a dangerous stretch of coast for vessels between Ireland and Wales. The incredible views and surrounding cliffs make for a fantastic picnic spot, you might even spot some seals or a pod of dolphins!
Heatherton World of Activities St Florence, Tenby, SA70 8RJ
This outdoor activity centre has a lot to offer for a great family day out! More importantly they’re super dog friendly, your pooches are welcome in most places throughout the park (on-lead), and they even have a dedicated dog agility course! Visit the Tree Tops Cafe afterwards for some doggy ice cream!
Tenby & Caldey Island SA70 8AG
One of Wales’ most picturesque and iconic seaside towns, there is a lot to love about Tenby! Surrounded by a historic medieval wall, Tenby has a maze of narrow streets packed with bars, restaurants and quirky shops. From here, you could also visit Caldey Island, as dog-friendly Tenby Boat Trips run from April to October. Please note the island is closed on Sunday.
There are a host of great campsites, hotels and B & Bs which will welcome both you and your dog. Grab a copy of my guidebook Dog-Friendly Weekends Away UK for all the details, and a whole year of inspiration as you travel the UK with your dog.