The picturesque walled town of Tenby sits high on the rugged cliffs on the Pembrokeshire coast. Situated to the west of Swansea, Tenby is one of Wales’ most popular and family-friendly travel destinations.

From savouring homemade ice-creams down by the harbour to building sandcastles by the shore, Tenby really encapsulates all that makes up that unique British seaside experience. 

Pastel-hued cottages and grand Georgian houses line the lofty promenades overlooking blustery Carmarthen Bay. The historic area of the town is tucked away inside the ancient Norman walls where the narrow medieval streets are lined with ice-cream parlours, traditional pubs and of course, souvenir shops.  

It’s no surprise that Tenby was recently voted the best seaside town in the whole of the UK by The Sunday Times. 

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Why visit Tenby with kids?

This summer, we enjoyed four fun-filled days in this beautiful and bustling Welsh seaside town. Now we totally agree with The Sunday Times that Tenby is the ultimate destination for a family-friendly seaside holiday in the UK.

The town centre itself is small and easily walkable with small children and strollers. You’ll find a wide variety of shops, restaurants and amenities. Lots of accommodation options are aimed at families making it easy to find the right hotel or holiday home for your family. 

 Not only does the town boast its own Blue Flag beaches (yes that’s plural!) But within a short drive, you will find medieval castles, exciting amusement parks and plenty of outdoor activities.

The wild Pembrokeshire coast is an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts with hiking, cycling, surfing, sailing along with a multitude of other active pursuits available.

Wales is known for its wet and windy weather. One of Tenby’s big draws is that it is surrounded by dozens of child-friendly attractions suitable for rainy days. Keep reading to see the rainy-day activities we’ve listed with dry alternatives to the drizzly beach.

Activity: Who was Tenby’s Famous Female Visitor?

Can you find the blue plaque with this inscription on a house in Tenby? Clue: it faces the sea.

While on holiday here Mary Ann Evans was inspired to write her first novel published in 1857 under the name of George Eliot.

George Eliot was a very successful and famous author. Here are some engaging conversation starters for world-schooling: Why do you think Mary Ann used the pen name George? Do you think people would have read her book if they knew she was a woman? Do you know any other authors who use non-gender specific pen names?

The Best Beaches in Tenby with kids

The Pembrokeshire Coast is blessed with specular scenery and some beautiful sandy beaches. Many of the beaches have blue flags. Blue flags are awards issued to beaches around the world that meet stringent cleanliness and safety standards.  

One of the best things about Tenby is just how central some of the best beaches are. Within minutes of leaving the busy shopping streets, you can be strolling along a beach. Here are some of the best beaches in central Tenby and nearby:

South Beach, Tenby

Two kilometres of golden sands (and pebbles) reaches from St. Catherine’s Island all the way to Giltar Point. The beach has a few amenities and is popular for surf lessons. There are caves and sandbanks at the back of the beach for little ones to explore and slide down. South Beach is easily accessed from the Esplanade.

North Beach, Tenby

Another long stretch of golden sands overlooking Goskar Rock. This is a typical British beach with rockpools, beach cafes (doughnuts, chips and bad coffee) and is overlooked by the promenade and the cheery, colourful cottages of Tenby Town. There are great views of Carmarthen Bay to the right.  You can access North Beach either by the North Cliff Steps or through the Habour.

Castle Beach, Tenby

This wonderful little beach lies in the cove between Castle Hill and the East Cliff. At low tide, it is possible to walk out to St. Catherine’s Island but be careful not to get cut off by the tide before you get back.

Barafundle Beach

This secluded beach backed by dunes and palm trees (!) is managed by the National Trust. There are no facilities on the beach so bring everything you need. You will need to navigate steep steps and a cliff path to reach the beach so perhaps not the best for families with toddlers. You can park in the carpark at Stackpole Quay where you will find a cafe and toilets. It’s a 35-minute drive from Tenby and around a 15-minute walk from the carpark to the beach. For more information on the facilities at Stackpole Quay and Barafundle Beach, click here.

Free things to do in Tenby with kids

Apart from the wonderful beaches, what can you do in Tenby with kids for free?

Jubilee Playground

This a small but fun public playground overlooking South Beach. Let the kids loose whilst the grown-ups relax on a bench and soak up the gorgeous sea views. Just down on South Beach are the lovely South Beach Bar Grill (great kids meals and G’n’Ts!) and a great little beach hut selling hot rolls and sandwiches. 

Tenby Lifeboat Station

Toddlers and younger children will love a quick visit to the Tenby Lifeboat Station. It’s a great way to spend some time if you get stuck in Tenby in the rain. There are historical exhibitions and the machines are fascinating for young ones. You can also try and coincide your visit for a lifeboat launch. 

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery 

A great place to spend a few hours the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery are FREE for children (as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult). Adult tickets are £4.95 and valid for an entire year. Tenby Museum is open all year round and there are plenty of engaging things for children to do including pirate treasure trails, gallery quiz sheets, jigsaw puzzles and you can also dress up as a pirate. Ahoy maties! 

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Family-friendly activities in and around Tenby

If the sun is shining head to the beach but if it’s not there are absolutely dozens of other awesome activities to keep the little ones entertained.

From waterparks to theme parks, Tenby has easy access to the best tourist attractions in Pembrokeshire.

Most of the activities listed below charge admission fees. Always check their websites before visiting for up-to-date prices and opening hours. 

Folly Farm

A great day out in Tenby with kids. There is plenty to do on a rainy day. There are farm animals, a zoo, feeding experiences, an indoor vintage funfair and large indoor and outdoor play areas. It’s about 15 minutes drive from the centre of Tenby. Check the Folly Farm Website for up-to-date information.

Oakwood Theme Park

Oakwood is a large theme park only 25 minutes drive from Tenby. There are lots of rides and attractions suitable for all members of the family. 

Blue Lagoon Waterpark 

The Blue Lagoon Waterpark is an excellent day out for families in Tenby. The waterpark is part of the Bluestone holiday park. You can book a 3 hour session to use the waterpark. This is a great option for a rainy day. There are plenty of slides for older children and there’s a Nipper’s Cave for younger ones. If you book online, you might be able to save up to 15% off ticket prices. Keep in mind that ticket prices vary greatly depending on the season. 

Dinosaur Park

Kids will love the opportunity to walk with dinosaurs on this mile-long trail just 10 minutes drive from Tenby. There is also mini-golf, lots of rides, a 4X4 off-roader circuit, fossil hunting and even an indoor adventure centre for when it rains. Discover more on the Dinosaur Park website.

Heatherton World of Activities

This is a FREE attraction providing a pay when you play facility. It is open throughout the year and most activities are undercover so it is suitable for rainy days. The wide range of activities caters for all age groups. There are play zone activities for 3 -10-year-olds including sandpit diggers, electric car driving schools, play areas, water peddlers and a hedge maze. Heatherton World of Activities is around a 12 minutes drive from Tenby 

Manor House Wildlife Park / Anna’s Welsh Zoo

This is a unique zoo that specialises in close encounters with endangered animals from all over the world. There are wallabies, lemurs, meerkats, macaws, camels to mention a few. Some of the interesting and unusual activities are sitting in a ‘giant’s chair’ just metres away from tigers, rhinos, zebras and ostriches, You can also hang out in the Valley of the Apes and watch the gibbons swing through the trees. The Manor House Wildlife Park is just 2 miles from Tenby in St. Florence 

Tudor Merchants House

If your children are young history buffs this is a National Trust property in the heart of Tenby will captivate them. Take the children back in time to explore a 15th-century merchant’s house. There are children’s quizzes and trails to make sure younger ones don’t get bored. For more visitors information visit the National Trust website.

Colby Woodland Gardens

Colby Woodland Gardens in a wonderful informal National Trust garden with an industrial past where you can climb trees, build a den, borrow ducks to have a race on the stream or use the free pond dipping kits. There is a lovely tearoom serving homemade food. Near Amroth (15-minute drive from Tenby) 

The Overhang climbing centre

This tiny climbing centre hidden away in an old boat station is a great place if you want to get the kids out of the sun (or the rain) for a while. H loves climbing and was in his element. It’s located at the bottom of Castle Slipway just before you get on to Castle Beach.

Picton Castle and Gardens

Explore this 13th-century castle near Haverfordwest. Only a 30-minute drive from Tenby, Picton Castle has it all: woodland walks, a maze, a children’s trail and even an adventure playground. Although the castle itself is closed during the winter months, the restaurant, deli, shop and gardens are open all year round. 

Carew Castle 

Set in stunning surroundings, the ruins of Carew Castle and an old tidal mill make a bucolic scene. There’s so much to explore with specially devised quizzes and hunts for children. The reasonable entry prices include a free guided tour. Only a 7-minute drive from Tenby, the ruins are located on Castle Lane Tenby.

Pembroke Castle

Visit one of the most impressive castles in Wales and the birthplace of Henry VII at Pembroke Castle. There’s onsite cafes and great guided tours if you have older children. Around a 25 minute drive from Tenby. More more information see the Pembroke Castle website. 

Battlefield Live Pembrokeshire

If your children are into history then they will love Battlefield Live Pembrokeshire. This is a unique infra-red combat experience set within the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. Battlefield LIVE uses infra-red light which is totally safe. In fact, infra-red light is what the Royal Marine Commandos use when stimulating combat training. The guns fire an invisible infrared beam up to 200m alongside great sound effects. There is a minimum age of 7 and pre-booking is highly recommended. Check out www.battlefieldlivepembrokeshire.co.uk for more information and bookings.

St. Catherine’s Island and Fort.

Located in central Tenby, this is an easy activity to do in Tenby with kids. The island and the main gun rooms of the fort open to visitors most weekends subject to tide and weather and every day during peak season and holidays. Check out www.saintcatherinesisland.co.uk for tidal openings.

Caldey Island

On Caldey Island, you can visit the lighthouse, tea rooms, monastery and even a small ‘chocolate factory’. Stroll around the island for a peaceful walk and enjoy the stunning scenery. There are spectacular views from the lighthouse of the Pembrokeshire National Coast but beware that there is a steep (but short) walk to get up there.

Boats run from Tenby Habour to Caldey Island regularly from Easter through to October. These boats are often run by members of Tenby Lifeboat crew. The crossing time is approximately 20 minutes and you can buy tickets from the Caldey Island Kiosk at the top of Tenby Habour. The last return boat to the island is usually at 5 pm.

Where to stay in Tenby

We highly recommend Aubrey Villa as the perfect place for a family stay in Tenby. This gorgeous Victorian four-bedroom house is just minutes from the town centre and beaches.

The house is brilliantly set up for families with baby equipment, beach toys and more all supplied. It’s large enough to sleep 8 adults plus a few extra babies/ children making it perfect for groups. *This is not an ad but Aubrey Villa is owned by some family members who spend a lot of time making it perfect. Honestly, it is absolutely beautiful, check it out!

If a holiday home is a little too big or expensive for your family, try our favourite hotel search Booking.com for other suitable accommodation.

Where to eat in Tenby with kids

Top Joes

This very family-friendly pizza joint serves up the best-tasting pizzas in town. Located on Upper Frog Street. 

South Beach Bar and Grill 

Right on South Beach, this buzzing little beach bar is a great place for a sundowner with a view (check out the Gin and Tonic menu!). There are large children’s menus and colouring sheets to keep them occupied. A great place to get some vegetables on to the kids’ dinner plates.

Caffe Vista 

This a lovely little Greek-inspired cafe. Get in early to grab one of the tables with a view in the balcony area or the bay window. There’s a wide variety of cakes including gluten-free and vegan ones. Note: there isn’t a children’s menu but our kids enjoyed ham paninis.

The Stowaway Coffee Co.

This wonderful little independent cafe is like a magical grotto built into the old harbour wall. The small seating area is very unique and cosy. There are games and books on the tables to entertain the little ones although the delicious homemade ice-creams and cakes will probably have most of their attention. The cafe is only open from March to November. Our children highly rated their ice-creams!

Park Road Fish and Chips

One of the best places in Tenby for traditional fish and chips (there is a lot of competition!). Be prepared to wait in line as they cook the fresh fish to order. The smell of the vinegary chips will have you salivating the whole time! On Upper Park Road

Of course, there are numerous pubs and inns to try. Many of them are family-friendly with outdoor areas or backrooms that welcome children. We enjoyed the historic Coach and Horses (the bright yellow pub on Upper Frog Street) and Tenby Habour Brewery on Sergeants Lane for locally brewed craft beers. The Clarence on the seafront also does cheap happy hour beers on a terrace overlooking the beach although unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit this time.

For sandwiches, drinks and snacks to take down to the beach, pop into Tesco Express, Sainsburys or Greggs on the High Street.

How to get to Tenby with kids

Although the streets in Tenby can be narrow and crowded, visiting by car gives you freedom especially if the weather isn’t great. Not all accommodation options have parking but there are several pay-and-display carparks around town.

Tenby has a train station. Trains take around 5 hours from London, 3 hours from Cardiff and 90 minutes from Swansea. Try thetrainline.com for tickets.

There are also local buses and National Express Coaches arriving frequently.

What’s not to like about Tenby?

It might be a long way from London and suffer from the odd rainy day (or week) but the wonderfully quaint seaside town of Tenby will win even the coldest heart.

It’s location on a beautiful stretch of the Pembrokeshire National Coast with clean, sandy beaches on either side definitely makes Tenby, a picturesque British holiday destination.

There are so many things to do in Tenby with children including hiking, fishing, cycling, shopping, eating, exploring historic castles and of course, relaxing on the beach that you’ll want to keep going back! 

If you enjoyed this post on Tenby with kids, you may enjoy some of our guides to other top holiday destinations around Europe.

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