Pembroke and Pembroke Dock

Pembroke is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 7,552. The names of both the town and the county have a common origin; both are derived from the Cantref of Penfro, which has been interpreted to mean either 'Land's End' or 'headland’. Pembroke is also home to one of the most complete Norman castles in the UK. It was the birthplace of Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty.

Pembroke

Pembroke Castle is the reason why most people visit this corner of Pembrokeshire. It’s a fantastic medieval relic with endless rooms, spiral stone staircases, passages, battlements and turrets that will occupy you for hours.

Pembroke town is a textbook medieval fortified town with a central main street heading east from the castle gates and a moat or castle pond extending round much of the town. The old town walls are remarkably intact complete with defensive towers such as Barnards Tower, an impressive three-storied tower with a fore building over its entrance.

Pembroke Castle

This spectacular and forbidding castle was the home of the earls of Pembroke for over 300 years and the birthplace of Henry VII, the first Tudor king. A fort was established here in 1093 by Arnulph de Montgomery, but most of the present buildings date from the 13th century. It's a great place for both kids and adults to explore – wall walks and passages run from tower to tower, and there are vivid exhibitions detailing the castle's history. Free guided tours are offered daily; check the website for times. Falconry displays and costumed re-enactments are held in summer.

The oldest part of the complex is the sinister, looming keep, dating to 1204. One hundred steps lead to the top, from where there are great views over the town. Next to the keep is the Dungeon Tower, where you can peer into a dank, dark prison cell. Nearby, with access through the Northern Hall, are steps to the creepy Wogan Cavern, a large natural cave that was partially walled in by the Normans and probably used as a store and boathouse.

In the room in which he is believed to have been born, in 1457, a tableau commemorates Henry Tudor (Harri Tudur), who defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 to become Henry VII.

Walks

There is an interesting walk around the outside of the castle and pond and below the ramparts of the castle. It’s suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. In fact, The Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows the route round the Castles Pond before heading off to Pembroke Dock in one direction and out to Angle in the other.

Pembroke Dock

Pembroke Dock is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Pembroke on the banks of the River Cleddau. Originally known as Pater church, it rapidly expanded after the construction of the Royal Navy Dockyard in 1814.

In the eighteenth century the area was just farmland but by 1901 the town had 11,000 residents. It originally grew up around the Royal Naval Dockyard and produced 260 fine ships between 1814-1926, including several royal yachts and men-of-war.

The Cleddau Bridge connects Pembroke Dock with Neyland, which is also part of the Pembrokeshire Coast path. Interestingly, it’s the third-largest town in Pembrokeshire, even more populous than its neighbouring Pembroke. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path crosses the Cleddau Bridge, passes next to the National Park offices and traverses round the waterfront past the Martello Tower on Front Street before heading uphill on the way to Pembroke. The character of the coast path around the haven is quite different to that around the more rugged coastline.

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

If you’re ever in the area, consider visiting the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre which celebrates the town’s unique history and heritage.

It is based in the beautiful Garrison Chapel which recounts the towns link with the Sunderland Flying boats. Designed by naval architect George Ledwell Taylor, the Grade II listed Garrison Chapel is believed to be the only surviving classical Georgian Church in Wales. It was built by the Admiralty in 1830 as a place of worship for its employees in the dockyard.

Llanion Cemetery contains the war graves of 23 Commonwealth service personnel, including two unidentified Royal Navy sailors, of the First World War and 51 of the Second, including four unidentified Royal Navy sailors and an unidentified airman. Also, Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery contains the war graves of 40 Commonwealth service personnel of the First World War and 33 of the Second World War.

For 150 years Pembroke Dock was a military town, and home to all three-Armed Services. The last military unit left in the 1960s and the town has striven to find new roles ever since. This Victorian town with grid-like street pattern and impressive buildings has expanded considerably in the past 50 years and still has connections to its illustrious industrial past, but today the former dockyard is a commercial port and a gateway by ferry to Ireland.

Places to stay

Puffin Cottage Holidays have a terraced house in the heart of Pembroke Dock available for a relaxing getaway, Falcon House. It has been renovated retaining its many character features, including a cinema room and wine cellar in the basement, accessed via a hidden door in a bookshelf - a feature the kids are sure to love!

About Us

Based in South Pembrokeshire, Puffin Cottage Holidays are a family run business, with a wealth of knowledge on the area and the local attractions and have been successfully letting holiday accommodation for over 15 years.

We aim to provide our customers with excellent service before, during and after your holiday, making your break away from home as enjoyable, relaxing and hassle free as possible. We understand that you may lead a busy life which is why we make ourselves available out of hours and on weekends, so that we can help you find your perfect holiday at a time convenient to you and if there is anything we can do to make your holiday more special just let us know.

Remember we specialise in all sorts of properties whether you are looking for Sea Views, Pet Friendly, Character, Rural, Hot Tubs, Lodges, Apartments, Cottages, Pods and keep close to our website for the best late deals.

If you have a property you are looking to holiday let, please see our Property owners page and contact us for more details. Our current properties are predominantly based in Tenby, Saundersfoot, Penally and surrounding areas therefore access to Pembrokeshire’s award-winning beaches is never too far away!